Fans of Hellboy have long hoped for the return of Ron Perlman as the cigar-smoking, wisecracking demon in a third installment directed by Guillermo del Toro. The first two films—Hellboy (2004) and Hellboy II: The Golden Army (2008)—set a high standard for action-fantasy adaptations, but a third film never materialized. Instead, Hollywood attempted reboots, most notably the 2019 Neil Marshall-directed Hellboy, which was met with overwhelming criticism.
Now, with yet another reboot, Hellboy: The Crooked Man, set for 2024, Perlman has addressed whether he would ever don the horns again. The answer? Only under one very specific condition. While his comments have reignited hope among diehard fans, the likelihood of seeing del Toro’s Hellboy III remains slim. Here’s why.
Ron Perlman Will Only Return If Guillermo del Toro Is Involved
Despite other opportunities to reprise the role, Perlman has made it clear: he will only return as Hellboy if Guillermo del Toro is at the helm. In an interview with That Hashtag Show, he stated, “For Guillermo, I would [return]. I had an opportunity to play [Hellboy] again for other people and I passed. That’s his franchise as far as I’m concerned.”
Perlman’s loyalty to del Toro is understandable, given the director’s unique vision and the deep personal connection they share. The original films combined intricate storytelling with practical effects, crafting a world that blended horror, fantasy, and adventure seamlessly. No other adaptation has come close to matching that magic, a sentiment shared by many fans.
While Perlman’s enthusiasm is reassuring, it ultimately places the fate of a third film in del Toro’s hands. Unfortunately, history has shown that getting the director back on board is a complicated task, making Hellboy III a long shot at best.
Guillermo del Toro’s Career Has Moved in a Different Direction
Guillermo del Toro has repeatedly tried to make Hellboy III happen but has been unable to reach an agreement with the studios that control the rights. In a 2024 interview with Screen Rant, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola explained that del Toro’s skyrocketing career has made it difficult for him to return to the franchise.
Del Toro has since gone on to direct The Shape of Water (which won Best Picture at the Oscars), Nightmare Alley, and a critically acclaimed Pinocchio adaptation for Netflix. Currently, he is working on a film adaptation of Frankenstein, further demonstrating that his interests lie in projects that offer him creative freedom and critical prestige.
While Mignola has assured fans that there are no hard feelings between him and del Toro, the reality is that the filmmaker has evolved beyond the Hellboy franchise. Even if Perlman is willing, without del Toro’s commitment, Hellboy III remains unlikely.
The ‘Hellboy’ Franchise’s Rocky History with Reboots
With del Toro’s return uncertain, Hollywood has tried to keep Hellboy alive through reboots—but with little success. The 2019 reboot, starring David Harbour, was a critical and commercial failure, leading even its director, Neil Marshall, to disown the film. Harbour himself admitted that the movie “sucked,” and it quickly faded into obscurity.
The 2024 reboot, Hellboy: The Crooked Man, aims to be more faithful to the comics, embracing a folk horror aesthetic. However, early buzz suggests that a low budget and questionable CGI may hold it back from becoming the redemption story fans have been waiting for.
Given these missteps, fans continue to long for the original creative team to finish what they started. However, with studio reluctance, del Toro’s packed schedule, and the challenges of financing such a project, the dream of Hellboy III remains in limbo.
The Future of Hellboy: What’s Next?
Ron Perlman’s passion for Hellboy remains strong, but his one condition—that Guillermo del Toro directs—makes the odds of a return increasingly slim. Del Toro’s career has taken him in new directions, and despite repeated attempts, a third film has never gained momentum.
Meanwhile, Hollywood’s efforts to keep Hellboy relevant through reboots have largely backfired, proving that audiences crave the original magic that Perlman and del Toro created. Unless something drastically changes in the industry or del Toro miraculously finds time for Hellboy III, fans may have to accept that this chapter has closed for good.