Hellboy 3 Is “A Wish That Will Never Be Fulfilled,” Says Guillermo Del Toro

A third ‘Hellboy’ is one of those unrealised movies that fans can’t stop dreaming about – but sadly, the director of the first two films says that dreaming is as far as it’s going to get.

Guillermo del Toro, who has long downplayed the possibilities of ‘Hellboy 3,’ tells The Hollywood Reporter that the sequel is “a wish that will never be fulfilled.

He explains, “the first two movies made really good profits on a market that doesn’t exist anymore. The reason there’s a ‘Hellboy 2’ is not because the studios were passionate about the first one, it’s because the numbers made sense.

“‘Hellboy 1’ was such a huge, huge over-performer on Blu-ray and ancillary markets. It was one the first movies on Blu-ray, it has multiple editions, all the ancillary markets over performed everywhere. And the second one did good on all ancillary markets, which now do not exist.

“It’s very hard to convince a studio when you’ve lost that stream of revenue. Theatrically, they basically broke even or came to a place where it made sense to make a sequel. It’s very hard for them to think with that arm gone it would still make sense.”

Hellboy actor Ron Perlman has long campaigned for a third film in the series based on Mike Mignola’s comic book series, which had always been intended as a trilogy.

Del Toro had previously suggested that a third ‘Hellboy’ might be able to get off the ground if the ‘Pacific Rim 2’ proves a hit – but as del Toro is no longer directing the ‘Pacific Rim’ sequel (having handed the reins to Steven S DeKnight), this may no longer be a factor.

The subject of the ‘Pacific Rim’ sequel (which del Toro is still producing) also came up in the THR interview, and del Toro mentioned that, as well as new star John Boyega, “a lot of the cast from the first movie is coming back,” although he didn’t name names.

In the meantime, del Toro is at work on his next directorial feature, a low budget independent production entitled ‘The Shape of Water’ starring Michael Shannon, Doug Jones, Michael Stuhlbarg and Sally Hawkins.

Picture Credit: Universal

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