The Fiendish Tale of Hellboy: Unveiling the Sinister Secrets of The Crooked Man
Hellboy: The Crooked Man delivers thrilling horror to reignite the franchise Unveiling a sinister tale, this film captivates with an exceptional cast, while preserving the essence of the original Brace yourself for a spine-chilling adventure like never before!
Highlights
Hellboy: The Crooked Man, scheduled for a 2024 release, intends to capture the horror essence found in the original Hellboy comics, presenting a distinct perspective unlike previous blockbuster installments.
Content Revision:
Featuring a lesser-known ensemble cast, Hellboy's titular character is portrayed by Jack Kesy, while the role of Tom Ferrell is played by Jefferson White, delivering a distinctive and personal Hellboy experience for fans.
Director Brian Taylor, an avid Hellboy fan himself, handpicked his favorite story, The Crooked Man, to adapt for the film. This choice presents a darker and more atmospheric folk horror narrative that goes beyond the typical world-saving plot, resulting in an authentic Hellboy adaptation that fans can truly appreciate.
The over-sized red devil character last appeared on the big screen in 2019, but unfortunately, it didn't receive the desired reaction from fans. There were concerns that the character may not return to the silver screen again. However, Brian Taylor and his team are currently working on Hellboy: The Crooked Man, which is in the post-production stage and set to be released in 2024. Previously, fans were satisfied with the Hellboy movies by Guillermo Del Toro and Ron Perlman. But due to Del Toro's busy schedule, he was unable to continue with a third installment, leading the studio to hand over the franchise to a new cast and crew for a reboot. Despite positive reviews for David Harbour's performance as Hellboy, the film did not perform well at the box office, which diminished any hope for a sequel. Now, Millenium Media is aiming to achieve great success with Hellboy: The Crooked Man by introducing a completely new creative team.
What's Hellboy: The Crooked Man About?
In the film Hellboy: The Crooked Man, the story revolves around Hellboy and a newcomer BPRD agent who find themselves stranded in rural Appalachia during the 1950s. Their journey leads them to unravel the mysteries of a small community plagued by witches, with the malicious Crooked Man as their leader.
From the get-go, it is apparent that the film's creators strive for faithfulness to the source material. The original short story of The Crooked Man unfolds in 1958 Appalachia, particularly in an area known as The Hurricane. Witchcraft and devilish acts play a prominent role in the story, with the main antagonist being a "devil" figure who leads a group of witches. Rumor has it that this new addition to the franchise will emphasize the horror elements of Hellboy, departing from the comedic and blockbuster style of the previous installments, offering cinema enthusiasts a fresh perspective on the iconic character.
In the comic, Hellboy collaborates with Tom Ferrell, a local resident, to transport Tom's deceased father's body to a church situated in the Crooked Man's domain, where a coven of witches reigns. The film may deviate slightly by presenting Tom Ferrell as the inexperienced BPRD agent mentioned in the summary. Along their journey, they come to realize that time functions differently in "The Hurricane," operating on what is referred to as "the devil's time." They must resist the temptations set forth by the Crooked Man and his witches. Interestingly, Tom possesses some magical abilities thanks to a "witch-bone" that he claims has safeguarded him throughout his various adventures.
Who is in the Cast of Hellboy: The Crooked Man?
Compared to previous Hellboy movies, The Crooked Man has a smaller cast. Instead of numerous BPRD agents to keep track of, the director and casting director opted for relatively unknown actors this time, rather than big Hollywood names like Ron Perlman and David Harbour. In the starring role as the titular hero is Jack Kesy, known for his horror role in The Strain and his action roles in 12 Strong, Deadpool 2, and Without Remorse. This marks the third actor to portray Hellboy.
Jefferson White, known for his role as Jimmy Hurdstrom in Yellowstone, takes on the character of Tom Ferrell. Adeline Rudolph and Leah McNamara also join the cast as some of the witches, ensuring a diverse and talented team of actors who will bring their roles to life and provide fans with a unique Hellboy experience. Despite this, the identity of the actor playing the Crooked Man remains unknown.
Is Hellboy: The Crooked Man a Reboot?
Regrettably, the Hellboy franchise has not achieved the same level of success in film as it has in the realm of comic books. Kesy has been cast as the third actor to portray the titular character, marking the third endeavor to establish a prosperous series of movies. Nonetheless, director Brian Taylor has opted to adapt a smaller storyline, a decision that promises a more personal and intimate cinematic experience compared to previous films.
Unlike the previous installments, the story does not revolve around Hellboy's mission to prevent the apocalypse or save the world. According to Mike Mignola, the creator of Hellboy, as stated in Variety:
For years, we've advocated for a more intimate approach to a Hellboy movie. And the perfect candidate for that is, in my opinion, The Crooked Man, which happens to be my personal favorite. The story, beautifully illustrated by Richard Corben, is one of my best works. It's a well-crafted tale that doesn't overwhelm with countless characters. Right from the start, everyone was on board with the idea of adapting it. From a budget standpoint, it's advantageous as it doesn't require a massive investment. It's not the Hellboy origin story. It's not about saving the world. Instead, it's a subtly dark and captivating folk horror narrative.
Fans will instantly recognize the director's previous works, such as Crank and Ghost Rider: Spirit of Vengeance. He proudly declares himself a super-fan of Hellboy. With Mike Mignola heavily involved in the script, The Crooked Man aims to be the most faithful adaptation fans have ever seen. If this film proves successful, Millenium Media will have the opportunity to create a new series of Hellboy films, as there is undoubtedly a passionate audience for this intellectual property.
