Best known for his role in HBO series Deadwood, Ian McShane portrays Hellboy’s adoptive father Professor Trevor Broom in the reboot.
His character appears giving Hellboy fatherly advice and guidance throughout many of their scenes together. Although a complex relationship, Broom’s love for his son is unmatched. Talking to The Knockturnal, Ian touches on his own relationship with his father and how that translated to the one with Hellboy.
The Knockturnal: How are you today?
Ian McShane: I’m fine Dorissa, nice to see you.
The Knocturnal: You’ve been quite busy between American Gods and now Hellboy, how do you balance that schedule?
Ian McShane: The thing was, Hellboy we did at the end of 2017 it was last year that was the year from hell…boy. When I did John Wick, Bolden, American Gods, and Deadwood all in the same year. But Hellboy we had three really enjoyable weeks in Bulgaria filming. I mean they managed to pull all my stuff together, but David is terrific I think as Hellboy we have a relationship which was really good. It was based on step-son and father meeting for the first time when I took him for breakfast. I think it was sort of translated into a nice sort of friendly chippier atmosphere which we still maintain today. Which is good, good for the show, good for the characters you know?
The Knockturnal: Speaking of the relationship between you and David, you gave him a lot of advice in the film, like a father. Has there been someone to give you advice like that? What’s been the best advice you’ve received from your father or mentor?
Ian McShane: Well my dad was just true to yourself [himself] my dad was a professional footballer, and he was a really good guy. I don’t think I ever had a real argument with him until he died which was in 2012, but he was a good guy and I just- you know…I think for the first forty years I was determined not to be a good guy but then things change around you think “Jesus my dad was a really smart guy”. You only realize how smart your parents were the older you get.
The Knockturnal: It’s true, it’s true. What was your relationship like with the rest of the cast?
Ian McShane: Oh yeah, good! Sasha and Milla and …they were great, they were all terrific. I didn’t have anything to do-hardly a couple of scenes with them and David. I mostly worked with him, with David. Then we had a couple of the other scenes when the other characters were looking for bobioga in Hellboy but mostly with David, which was great.
The Knockturnal: And how was working with the special effects?
Ian McShane: Very little to do and I’ve done a lot. I mean the end scene was totally special effects, you just got know your lines and try not to get bored with the guy because you got to keep you head (inaudible) and try not to get frustrated because it’s got nothing to do with acting. It’s what’s known as ‘Keep your brain cool, and your heart warm’
The Knockturnal: Oh! I like that! Where’d you get that from?
Ian McShane: I have no idea, it just suddenly came to me Dorissa *laughs*
The Knockturnal: *Laughs* What was your favorite scenes from the movie?
Ian McShane: I think my favorite scene is the opening scene when he comes in back from Mexico, and I’m shaving him, he’s having a shower and I get him out and shave him and we have the talk I think that’s one of my favorite scenes, yeah because that establishes who they are and establishes Hellboy and what he wants to do.
The film hits theaters this Friday!
