Earlier this month, Ketchup Entertainment released the first official teaser trailer for Hellboy: The Crooked Man, a prequel set in a different canon separate from the Ron Perlman and Guillermo Del Toro films, along with the 2019 David Harbour reboot, which was a cinematic disaster decried by critics and audiences alike. In the fallout of the reboot, producers and filmmakers were forced to put the series on a halt, as the character and franchise IP were essentially left in shambles and caused fans to step away, signaling the sinking ship. This was until series creator, Mike Mignola, heeded the call to patch up his creation to the point of relevancy.
Audiences Fatigued for Hellboy
The new project looks to take the franchise back to its horror roots, as the trailer shows a more mature tone and a more significant focus on the comics. With that addressed again, yet another actor is under the glory and weight of prosthetics. An official release date has yet to be revealed, but the film is slated to debut sometime in 2024.
I think many should confess and reflect after viewing the trailer and take note of what made the original films shine during an age of comic-book-related media in its infancy, before the inclusion of the appeal of shared continuity such as the MCU(Marvel Cinematic Universe). Also, how the oversaturation of a product, can lead to exploitation. The audience grew exhausted from the taste of seeing heroes in spandex pulled from pages of our youth.
Hellboy: Return to Form?
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The good news is that Mignola is currently crafting the script. He is joined by director, producer, and fellow writer, Brian Taylor (Crank, Happy!) and scribe Christopher Golden. This time, everyone’s favorite red demon will be a bit younger, not only in age, but also in experience. I do confess that the prospect of seeing Hellboy during his prime gives a sense of freedom for the narrative being penned.
The trailer is a quick footage reel, but viewers get to see the variety and scope of this project, which are more on the lower budget side, along with a greater reliance on practical effects. Still, it doesn’t look as bad as social media makes it out to be. The visuals do feel a bit muted, and the finished product gives off a ‘fan film’ impression, though trailers tend to be misleading, and maybe fans could be in for a surprise.
Here’s What We Know
A synopsis for the film reads: “In the 1950s, Rookie BPRD agent Bobbie Jo Song is tasked with delivering a spider to the BPRD, but must seek Hellboy’s help when things go awry. Together, they travel to Appalachia to take on the Crooked Man, who has been sent back to Earth to collect souls for the devil.”
The film stars Jack Kesy as Hellboy, Adeline Rudolph as Bobbie Jo Song, and Jefferson White as Tom Ferrel. Other cast members include Leah McNamara as Effie Kolb, Joseph Marcell as Reverend Watts, Hannah Margetson as Cora Fisher, and Martin Bassindale as The Crooked Man.
One thing to note is that Kesy pulls off the leaner, younger character variation quite well, and it will be interesting to notice if Mignola will toss in easter eggs for hardcore fans to pick up on. Again, it should be known that the footage doesn’t reveal much besides the first look at the villain, which is creepy and nerve-wracking.
Hellboy: The Crooked Man is slated to release sometime in theaters during 2024.
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