Jack Kesy Menaces in New ‘Hellboy: The Crooked Man’ Trailer

Ketchup Entertainment has released the first theatrical trailer for its upcoming reboot of the Hellboy film series, titled Hellboy: The Crooked Man. This new installment seems to embrace the horror aspects of the source comic book more than the previous, more fantasy-driven films. The trailer dropped at the ongoing San Diego Comic Con, just weeks after a teaser hinted at the franchise’s new direction. Revealing the shift at San Diego Comic Con makes sense, as the convention crowd is likely to appreciate such creative changes.

The film, directed by Brian Taylor—one half of the now-separated directing duo Neveldine and Taylor—is co-written by series creator Mike Mignola and is based on “The Crooked Man” run from the comics. Jack Kesy stars in the titular role. This marks the fourth live-action adaptation of the Hellboy comics, and it appears to be much smaller in scale, both in terms of production values and star power. Despite this, Taylor has said that the movie will favor practical effects over computer-generated imagery for a more grounded feel.

The Hellboy series was most famously adapted for live-action by Oscar-winning director Guillermo del Toro, who directed two films between 2004 and 2008. The first film introduced Ron Perlman as Hellboy and earned just under $100 million worldwide on a budget of around $65 million. Though not a massive commercial success, its home video performance was strong enough to warrant a sequel. The follow-up, titled Hellboy: The Golden Army, fared better, grossing nearly $170 million globally on a budget exceeding $80 million. Perlman also reprised his role in a couple of anime-inspired straight-to-DVD films released between the two live-action movies.

The series was rebooted in 2019 with a less successful adaptation directed by Neil Marshall and starring David Harbour of Stranger Things fame. The film, marred by behind-the-scenes issues, failed to impress both critics and audiences, earning just $55 million and a low 17% score on Rotten Tomatoes. By contrast, the two del Toro films scored significantly higher with ratings of 81% and 86% on the same site.

Hellboy: The Crooked Man also stars Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph, Martin Bassindale, and Joseph Marcell. The film follows Hellboy and a rookie BPRD agent as they find themselves stranded in 1950s rural Appalachia. The region is haunted by witches, led by the Crooked Man, a devil with a troubling connection to Hellboy’s past. As they uncover the secrets of this small community, they must confront the dark forces at play. Set for release on September 19, 2024, the film looks to bring a fresh yet nostalgic horror vibe to the franchise.

Fans and newcomers alike can look forward to what seems to be a more terrifying and grounded take on Hellboy’s universe. The practical effects promise to bring a tangible authenticity to the story, perhaps bridging the gap between the comic’s gritty tone and the cinematic representation. If the trailer is any indication, Hellboy: The Crooked Man aims to capture the haunting atmosphere that made the original comics stand out in the first place.

Stay tuned for more updates as the release date approaches.

Source: Collider