David Harbour Says New ‘Hellboy’ is Not an Origin Story
While most modern comic book movie franchises start with an origin story of how the hero got their powers, the Hellboy reboot will go in a different direction.
Star David Harbour told Josh Horowitz on his podcast that the film will take its cue from another classic hero, Indiana Jones.
“There is something of [his origin], but it’s not really an origin story movie. We kind of pick up the movie like we’re running and gunning, said Harbour. “We do have a little bit of stuff where we show stuff, but it really is a story and you just drop in with this guy.
“In a way, I feel like that’s kind of what Indiana Jones was. You start with him stealing the idol, but also you do go back to the university and you understand he’s an archeologist, but this is just a guy who goes and steals idols and fights Nazis and wants to steal the Arc of the Covenant,” he said. “But you never go back when he’s a kid and you’re like, ‘How did he become Indiana Jones?’ It’s like no, we accept that this is Indiana Jones and I think that’s what our story does too. You accept that there’s this half-demon guy running around the world and being a paranormal investigator and solving crimes and also dealing with his own issues at the same time.”
Source: Nerdist
For Harbour, the role provides the unique challenge of making it his own, while staying true to aspects of the character the fans may have appreciated from Ron Perlman’s portrayal.
“It’s unique and odd. There are things that I’m gonna do that are different,” said Harbour. “Hellboy is the same character from the comics and from what Ron did, there are certain things that are the same thing, but I do think that—I don’t know, there’s a different approach because I sort of highlight different things, I think, than Ron does.”
“Ron sort of embraces this machismo in himself and in Hellboy, and I really like it and it’s super fun and it’s a super fun performance, but I think Hellboy has a certain psycho dynamic where occasionally he has to prove that he’s the lion, has to roar, and I think he struggles with his own masculinity,” he continued. “But I don’t think he needs that as much as maybe those other movies. I have a bit of a different take on his capability or his slickness. I sort of think that for me he’s a little less skilled at constructing that persona.”
Directed by Neil Marshall, written by Mike Mignola and starring David Harbour, Ian McShane and Milla Jovovich, Hellboy hits theaters in 2018.
Are you excited for a new Hellboy?
Source: Collider
