Sometimes the noise of the fans is all that stands between a project's potential life and all too certain death. The most recent example of that is Hellboy 3, a movie that has so much fan support behind it that it's a crime it hasn't already been scheduled for production and release. While the franchise certainly hasn't been a blockbuster among the ranks of your average Marvel movie, Hellboy has one thing that works to its advantage anytime it comes up: its fanbase is extremely energized about it. But no one, and we mean know one, is more excited about this movie than Hellboy himself, Ron Perlman; and he'll fight to the gates of Hell to see it happen.
During a Reddit AMA to promote his new book, Easy Street (the Hard Way): A Memoir, it was a given that the legendary Perlman would be asked a couple of questions about Hellboy 3 and its status. What wasn't anticipated is the level of enthusiasm and effort that's being put into making Guillermo del Toro's final entry in the Hellboy trilogy a reality - specifically on Ron Perlman's end of the deal. Wrote the actor,
"It's definitely a part of the conversation that I have with Guillermo every time I see him. I, for one, would love to see how the Trilogy resolves itself. And I will fight for Hellboy 3 as long as my cold dead hands are not cold and dead."
Ron Perlman is so dedicated to Hellboy 3 that he's even bugging del Toro about it, who in turn is probably going to start bugging Legendary Pictures and Universal Pictures about the prospect of the film's future existence. Now obviously part of Perlman's motivation is how much fun he had playing the role of the famous demon spawn turned paranormal agent, but another part of his drive is rewarding his faithful fans. When pressed further about Hellboy 3, Ron Perlman said it best when he said, "I think Hellboy 3 is the best thing we could do for the fans that were so devoted to the first 2 films. And I argue for it every day. "
Of course with something as big as Hellboy 3 on the line, any little piece of advice from someone as close to the project as Perlman can help. His number one piece of advice to make Hellboy 3 a reality is one that's extremely common sense, but not always effective. He's encouraged fans to, "...show as much enthusiasm for its eventuality as is possible. Because people are listening."
Here's hoping that among the people listening to the Hellboy 3 chatter is Thomas Tull, Founder and CEO of Legendary Pictures. Universal should still have the rights to Hellboy, and if it's as easyas that on Universal's end then making Hellboy III should be as simple as funneling sweet sweet profits from Legendary's other Guillermo del Toro upcoming projects (like Crimson Peak and Pacific Rim 2) into the coffers of the BPRD. It's time for those who bump back against the things that go bump in the night to have one final showdown, and it's up to you – the fans – to make sure it happens. General Hellboy is waiting for us to bring the fight to those in charge, so make all of the noise you can and demand that Hellboy 3 becomes a reality.
You can do so, in part, by supporting Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak (scheduled for release on October 16, 2015) and Pacific Rim 2 (scheduled for release on April 7, 2017.) Ron Perlman's memoir, Easy Street (the Hard Way): A Memoir is on bookshelves now, in both print and author read audiobook.
