Ron Perlman Still Ready for Hellboy 3 at 75

Ron Perlman has reaffirmed his unwavering commitment to the Hellboy franchise, stating he is still prepared to reprise his iconic role for a third film. Despite being 75 years old, the actor remains hopeful that Guillermo del Toro's original trilogy can be completed.

In recent interviews, Perlman made it clear that his interest lies exclusively in finishing the story they started nearly two decades ago. He expressed a willingness to return even at age 80, provided the original creative team is involved.

Perlman's dedication to the character is rooted in a sense of obligation to the audience. He believes the fans who invested in the first two films deserve a conclusion to the narrative arc established in Hellboy II: The Golden Army.

The actor detailed the unresolved plot threads that a third film would address. The story left the protagonist at a critical juncture, with his partner pregnant with twins and his ultimate destiny—whether to save or destroy the earth—still undecided.

I thought we owed it to the fans. I still do. I'll do it now at 75-years-old, if the right person came along and says, 'Okay.' Because it was meant to be a trilogy, right?

Perlman views the lack of a third film as a broken promise, comparing the situation to a legal concept where an obligation was not fulfilled. He insists that the original crew and director are essential to the project's integrity.

Perlman has been clear about his refusal to participate in any iteration of Hellboy that does not involve Guillermo del Toro. This stance led him to decline involvement in the 2019 reboot starring David Harbour.

That film, directed by Neil Marshall, was a critical and commercial failure. It grossed only $55 million worldwide against its production budget and received poor reviews. A subsequent attempt to revive the franchise, Hellboy: The Crooked Man (2024), also failed to gain traction, skipping a theatrical release for a digital debut.

• 2019 Reboot: Starring David Harbour, directed by Neil Marshall.
• Box Office Performance: Grossed $55 million globally.
• Latest Iteration: The Crooked Man (2024) went straight to digital.

Perlman's loyalty to the original vision is absolute. He dismissed the idea of anyone else playing the role in the context of the del Toro saga.

Despite the actor's enthusiasm, Hellboy 3 has remained in development limbo for nearly 20 years. Perlman attributes this stagnation to a shift in priorities among the creative team.

When asked directly why the project failed to materialize, Perlman offered a succinct explanation: "People moved on." He clarified that this referred specifically to key creatives involved in the original films.

Financial considerations also played a significant role. Unlike the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which generates billions per film, the Hellboy movies were modest successes. Perlman noted that the first two films did not make "Marvel money," meaning there was never a studio mandate to continue the series aggressively.

We didn't make Marvel money. So, it wasn't like one of these mandates where we had to… you know, like all these movies now where they have to make one after another because they're making a billion dollars every time they… we didn't do that. So, there was never a mandate.

The sentiment that the trilogy is unlikely to be finished is shared by the creator of the character, Mike Mignola. In 2024, Mignola expressed doubts about the project's feasibility.

Mignola suggested that Guillermo del Toro has moved on to other creative endeavors. He described the idea of finishing the trilogy as a "dream thing" that was never truly realistic from a production standpoint.

The financial burden of reviving a franchise that did not perform exceptionally well at the box office is a major hurdle. Mignola indicated that following up two movies that didn't make significant profits with a third, expensive installment was unlikely to happen.

• Mike Mignola's assessment: The trilogy is highly unlikely to be completed.
• Director's Focus: Guillermo del Toro is pursuing other projects.
• Financial Reality: The original films lacked the profitability to justify a sequel.

While the prospect of Hellboy 3 remains dim, Ron Perlman's public statements keep the hope alive among fans. His willingness to return at an advanced age demonstrates a deep connection to the character and the story.

The actor's recent comments, including a colorful metaphor about performing in a rubber suit, underscore his dedication. He remains ready and waiting for the call, should the circumstances align.

Ultimately, the completion of the trilogy rests on complex factors involving creative will, financial viability, and the schedules of its key players. For now, the original Hellboy remains a beloved, unfinished chapter in comic book cinema.