As a seasoned moviegoer who’s been around the block more times than I care to remember, I must say that my anticipation for “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” is at an all-time high. Having grown up devouring Mike Mignola’s dark and brooding comic book series, it feels like a dream come true to see this adaptation finally taking shape.
In the upcoming film “Hellboy: The Crooked Man,” I’ll be part of the cast taking on the iconic character previously portrayed by Ron Perlman and David Harbour in past adaptations from the Mike Mignola-created comic book series. Despite many fans yearning for Perlman to return for a sequel, this fresh interpretation seems to be something that brings satisfaction to the creator himself. This new take on the Hellboy saga promises an exciting departure from the previous movies.
As a devoted fan of Mike Mignola’s groundbreaking comic series, I’m thrilled to see the new adaptation promising a bone-chilling and authentic portrayal of the same title. Mignola himself has been deeply immersed in the filmmaking process, and it’s evident from the very opening shot of the trailer that his artistic touch is all over this production—a reassuring sign for fans who crave the genuine horror experience.
Each of these experiences has been uniquely distinct, yet for someone with ambiguous feelings towards the initial movies, one key takeaway is this: When given the opportunity to start from scratch, and eventually accepting defeat is inevitable, you might as well embrace it. The illusion of control at the outset provides a sense of mastery, only to hope that what you’ve constructed won’t be dismantled by someone else. Regrettably, this often occurs.
In the 1950s, the horror-filled tale of “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” unfolds, perfectly capturing the eerie ambiance of this specific Hellboy adventure. The story revolves around the character Cambion, who is ensnared in a remote Appalachian region, where he gets embroiled in a local mystery involving witches and a sinister entity manipulating them. This film is an intricate rendition of one of Mignola’s most cherished runs with the character; “The Crooked Man.” Notably, it’s Mignola’s favorite Hellboy arc, blending components from two distinct narratives while providing additional background.
Instead of past projects, Mignola’s active participation in this one has been essential for ensuring the movie’s authenticity. As Mignola stated at SDCC,
“Frequently, I found myself joining projects with pre-assembled components that didn’t quite align perfectly. This time, however, I was able to declare, ‘We’re going for The Crooked Man, we’re committed to this tale.’ To flesh out the narrative a bit more, we took elements from another story instead of creating fresh material. And guess what? This time, I was able to say, ‘We’re sticking with The Crooked Man, we’re committed to this tale.’ We needed to provide a bit more background information, so we borrowed it from another story.”
A Director Who Understands the Vision
It appears that Brian Taylor, director of “Hellboy: The Crooked Man”, has a knack for navigating within the industry. Notably recognized for his work on the “Crank” series, Taylor is now showcasing his horror skills in “The Crooked Man”. His passion for the project is evident from the footage released thus far, and Mignola, at SDCC, commended him for it, stating that Taylor’s dedication to the source material is palpable.
When I initially spoke with Brian, he suggested returning to the original narrative. If I find myself in a similar situation, I’ll feel like I’m among kindred spirits.
This shared vision between the two surprised Mignola. He added,
“Although I wasn’t physically present on the set, I still managed to watch daily footage from this film every day, which meant I was a day behind the shooting schedule. Each day, my amazement grew as I marveled at how accurately scenes resembled what I had imagined, often recognizing shots that used similar angles. It was truly a unique experience to witness my work being brought to life.”
In anticipation for its 2024 debut, “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” seems to be growing increasingly intriguing, demonstrating that a skilled creative team can effectively bring Mignola’s original work to life on screen. We’ll find out if it strikes the same chord with fans later this year.
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2024-08-11 17:02