Director of new Hellboy movie explains why he doesn't see it as a reboot: "Nobody wants to see a cheap knock-off of a Guillermo del Toro $100-million movie"

EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesHellboy: The Crooked ManDirector of new Hellboy movie explains why he doesn’t see it as a reboot: “Nobody wants to see a cheap knock-off of a Guillermo del Toro $100-million movie"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

EntertainmentMoviesHorror MoviesHellboy: The Crooked ManDirector of new Hellboy movie explains why he doesn’t see it as a reboot: “Nobody wants to see a cheap knock-off of a Guillermo del Toro $100-million movie"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works.

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(Image credit: Dark Horse Entertainment)

Hellboy: The Crooked Man

Upcoming movieHellboy: The Crooked Manisn’t the first time we have seen the strikingly red superhero on the big screen. Most recently, Stranger Things star David Harbour portrayed the character in amuch criticized 2019 film, but when you think of Hellboy, Ron Perlman’s portrayal in director Guillermo del Toro’s series (2004’s Hellboy and 2008’s Hellboy: The Golden Army) probably comes to mind.

New adaptation Hellboy: The Crooked Man therefore goes right back to the source, leaning into the period setting and folk-horror vibe with a story set in the 1950s which is based specifically on the limited comic series of the same name. For Taylor then, it’s a different direction and one that isn’t intended to start a new franchise.

He emphasizes there was never the intention to imitate what has been done before: “I don’t think in terms of ‘it’s a reboot’ or trying to start a new franchise – this isn’t content, it’s a movie that needs to stand on its own. Nobody wants to see a cheap knock-off of a Guillermo del Toro $100-million movie. This is going back to the young Hellboy where he was really more of the plumber who’s going to fix your monster problem. This wandering, sarcastic, soulful, smoking guy who stumbles on supernatural hauntings and occurrences and helps out as best he can. If Mike feels like for the first time he sees his guy on screen, then I feel like we’ve succeeded.”

Check out some exclusive images of Jack Kesy as the superhero for Hellboy: The Crooked Man below:

(Image credit: Sam Schulte/Icon Film Distribution)

a portrait of jack kesy as hellboy for hellboy: the crooked man

(Image credit: Sam Schulte/Icon Film Distribution)

a portrait of jack kesy as hellboy for hellboy: the crooked man

Hellboy: The Crooked Man will release in UK cinemas on September 27. There is currently no US release date. You can read more about it and a whole lot else besides in the new issue of Total Film when it hits shelves and digital newsstands on Thursday, August 15.

Check out the covers below:

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The covers of Total Film’s Beetlejuice Beetlejuice issue

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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

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2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

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3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

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4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

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Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

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5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

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Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3

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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

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5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

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Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan as Joy in Doctor Who Christmas special Joy to the World

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1

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

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2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3

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4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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