The future of the Hellboy franchise after The Crooked Man

As a long-time fan of the Hellboy universe, I must say that this proposed expansion into various media formats is nothing short of exhilarating! The rich tapestry of lore and characters within Mike Mignola’s creation offers endless possibilities for engaging stories across different platforms.

“Hellboy: The Crooked Man” is now showing in UK cinemas, while a VOD release in the USA is scheduled soon. Those who’ve attended early screenings have shared mixed responses, with both praise and criticism. Initially, reviews were a blend of positive and negative feedback. Lately, though, the trend seems to be leaning towards more unfavorable opinions.

Now that the movie has been released, we’re left wondering: What lies ahead for Hellboy and the larger Hellboy universe?

Will the Crooked Man cast return for another installment?

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but wonder if the original cast from “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” will reprise their roles in potential sequels or spin-offs given that the movie hasn’t hit theaters widely yet. If we imagine that the film has been released and the audience has had a chance to watch it, would the key players choose to continue their journey with this iconic character? The answer lies in the unfolding events within the storyline itself.

Initially appearing in Jefferson White’s character, Tom Ferrell, resurfaces in the sequel to his debut comic, “The Return of Effie Kolb.” Previously, Ferrell was portrayed as an elderly individual in this storyline. This suggests that if a film adaptation of the sequel comic is ever produced, it would be at the discretion of the creative team whether to bring back White and utilize aging makeup or cast an older actor for the role.

The mystery surrounding the destiny of Bobbie Jo Song, portrayed by Adeline Rudolph, is particularly intriguing because Song is a character exclusive to the movie “The Crooked Man,” and not present in the original comics. Without giving away her fate, I believe it’s unlikely that the creators would introduce a new character for the Hellboy universe only to eliminate her in her debut film. If she does make it through, speculating about her potential future role becomes fascinating.

In the storyline, both the movie and comic series are set in the late 1950s. At that time, the character Rudolph was around 28 years old during the filming of “The Crooked Man.” For simplicity’s sake, let’s assume she shares the same age as the character Bobbie. This opens up an interesting possibility: Bobbie could become a recurring figure within the Hellboy universe.

Intriguingly, we turn our attention to none other than Big Red himself, the enigmatic Hellboy, portrayed by Jack Kesy. Hellboy is undeniably a central figure from the original comics, yet it remains to be seen if Jack Kesy would reprise his role in future adaptations. The decision lies with the creators following the release of their film, as they may opt for a fresh direction with the character. Even if they wish to bring back Kesy, one can never truly predict his intentions. With three live-action Hellboy actors already established, it’s worth pondering: Will there be a fourth, or could Kesy match Ron Perlman’s feat of appearing in two movies?

Hellboy anthology movies (or a TV series), perhaps

The initial run of the Crooked Man comic was a standalone three-part series, unrelated to the broader narratives revolving around Hellboy’s role as the prophesied world destroyer. Over the years, numerous stories about Hellboy prior to his destiny revelation have been compiled in various anthologies. This author finds that some of the finest Hellboy tales can be found within these short story collections, with one such collection including the original Crooked Man plotline and several other highly-acclaimed narratives.

If the movie adaptation of “The Crooked Man” is successful, it might open up opportunities for more films or a TV series set within the Hellboy universe. The short stories associated with Hellboy could serve as a source for standalone films featuring characters like “The Crooked Man,” or given their collection of unrelated tales, there’s potential for an anthology-style TV show that explores these stories individually.

Among this author’s preferred Hellboy tales is the “Hellboy in Mexico” series. Contrary to previous mentions of the short stories being unrelated, this one deviates from that norm. The narrative unfolds during Hellboy’s early days as a B.P.R.D. agent, a period preceding the events of “The Crooked Man,” which was set in the late 50s. This storyline showcases how Hellboy joined a troupe of Mexican wrestlers, who also functioned as monster hunters outside the ring. Subsequent stories detail Hellboy’s disappearance in Mexico for several months, with each tale focusing on his experiences during those missing periods. The “Hellboy in Mexico” series could excellently fit into a television anthology format, exploring Hellboy’s initial struggles against monsters and the repercussions of failing to vanquish them. There are numerous other tales that could work well as standalone films or ongoing TV series; the possibilities are endless.

BPRD led movies/shows

Despite Hellboy being the headliner in his expansive comic book world, there are numerous other captivating characters and tales that shine, even without Hellboy’s direct involvement, or in some instances, not featuring him at all.

In the comic books, following the Conqueror Worm storyline, Hellboy grows weary of his predestined role as a world-destroyer and seeks escape from this fate. Although there were subsequent comics chronicling Hellboy’s post-B.P.R.D. adventures, others focused on characters like Abe Sapien and Liz Sherman, while also introducing new faces to the team. These stories were collectively known as B.P.R.D., and they explored the consequences of Hellboy’s departure, albeit with less frequent mentions or direct involvement in the plot as the series progressed.

In this comic series, numerous tales could make fantastic films or TV shows. For instance, the final story arcs named “Hell on Earth” and “The Devil You Know”, which revolve around the apocalypse, hold immense potential. Since these stories delve into Hellboy’s journeys beyond the Bureau, it would be thrilling if future creators gradually introduce a crossover between the Hellboy productions and those based on B.P.R.D.. This approach would help introduce lesser-known Hellboy characters to a wider audience while adapting stories that have yet to be presented in either movies or TV shows.

More video games please

Over the years, Hellboy video games have faced some challenges, primarily due to poor storylines and technical issues in most instances. Despite occasional exceptions like the latest ‘Hellboy: Web of Wryd’, the majority of these games haven’t lived up to expectations. It’s high time we see consistently good, if not exceptional Hellboy games that do justice to the rich stories this character offers. There’s no shortage of captivating tales waiting to be transformed into engaging games.

Reconsidering the tale of the Conqueror Worm, it holds immense potential for a video game adaptation, given its rich cast of characters from the Hellboy universe, including both friends and foes. With such a diverse roster, the game could feature cooperative play, allowing multiple participants to select their preferred character. Each character would possess unique abilities, be it in combat, problem-solving, or traversal. For instance, Hellboy excels at crushing adversaries and overcoming obstacles, while Abe Sapien’s agility makes him adept at underwater puzzles that even Hellboy can’t reach.

This tale offers ample inspiration for creating video games, and there’s an abundance of other tales that could be transformed into gaming experiences. Alternatively, developers have the freedom to craft their own unique narratives for their games, similar to the game Web of Wryd.

It’s likely that there are other realms where Hellboy could excel, yet unmentioned, but with the richness and abundance of stories in the Hellboy realm itself, it seems there’s an endless supply of captivating tales just waiting to be animated for our entertainment.

How about this as a rephrased version?: What’s your opinion on the topic? Which alternative platforms do you believe Hellboy could excel in? Can you suggest a specific tale that you feel would make an engaging film, game, or similar format?

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2024-10-04 15:31