Ron Perlman Doesn't Want To Make HELLBOY 3, But Feels Obligated

Hellboy star Ron Perlman hasn't been shy about rallying support for a third film in the Guillermo del Toro-directed franchise, and as recently as just a few weeks ago, he was teasing fans with an Instagram photo that hinted the movie might be on the way. Turns out that's not the case (yet, anyway), and del Toro himself isn't convinced a studio will make the movie at the budget level he needs. But that's not stopping Perlman from continuing to talk about the movie every chance he gets.

At the TCAs, Perlman spoke with a group of reporters (including one from /Film) about the movie, and said something interesting: he doesn't even actually want to make Hellboy 3.

“Let me make the record clear,” Perlman said. “I don’t want to do Hellboy 3. It’s a pain in the ass to put that makeup on and take it off. But I feel we’re obligated to finish the story. That’s it. End of conversation.”

 But of course that wasn't really the end of the conversation, and he continued:

“I got no problems with forcing the conversation, as you can tell,” Perlman said. “We’re in the business of moving mountains. Those of us who are used to working in mainstream film and television. Don’t come to me with details and problems. Just tell me how we move the mountain...

Because del Toro says: Put the makeup on, you can shoot me in a wheelchair and I’ll still be Hellboy. I guess the only cutoff point is when they actually close the box. If you don’t see me get up and go, ‘Hang on, I was kidding,’ then I’m still ready.”

So...he's only interested in Hellboy 3 out of a sense of obligation, but he's still ready for it to happen? Hmm. Maybe it's best that the film doesn't seem likely to happen any time soon if he's only doing it out of a sense of obligation. That doesn't strike me as the best way to go into a production. I'm sure things would be different and he'd have some real passion for it if they got an official greenlight, but dragging out the conversation like this doesn't seem to be doing much for the bottom line future of Hellboy 3. But hey — look at Deadpool, or even the Veronica Mars movie. Those took years and years to get off the ground, and they finally succeeded in large part due to fan reaction and excitement that kept brewing for all of those years. Maybe this will be the same thing, but if Hellboy 3 doesn't ever happen, I don't think the world will be a worse place because of it.