After years of waiting, this dark comic franchise is reborn
The premiere of the new film Hellboy took place on Tuesday at the Lincoln Center AMC. This dark and horror filled franchise finally makes its return and fans are excited. The previous franchise ending at the 2nd movie and that left fans disappointed because they didn’t get a proper ending. It is refreshing and exciting to think that this amazing character and story can finally get a trilogy and an ending that fans can be proud of. During this premiere, we got a chance to talk to some of the cast and crew members about what it was like creating this film and how this Hellboy is different from the others.
David Harbour
The Knockturnal: What is one thing that you want big Hellboy fans to know about your take on this role?
David Harbour: I think we are pulling a lot from the source material and we are pulling a lot directly from the Dark Horse comics. The color palette is a lot darker. But also, it’s more of a horror, almost heavy metal movie in a certain way. Hellboy himself is a bit raggedy, scarred, lives in a brutally violent world, lives in a world where the apocalypse is no joke, and monsters are eating things they shouldn’t be eating. And so in that way, it’s kind of dark and I think that’s what Hellboy fans should know. There is a violence and a brutality to the world.
Vanessa Eichholz
The Knockturnal: What was it like being a part of this Hellboy movie?
Vanessa Eichholz: It was amazing. We shot in Bulgaria and it was very exciting. This is probably the biggest franchise that I have ever worked for. I’ve worked on a Netflix show but never a movie like this, so it was very exciting.
The Knockturnal: Were you a fan of the original Hellboy movie?
Vanessa Eichholz: I am yes. I love the first one. The second one I was like ehhh, but the first one, yes.
The Knockturnal: Did you draw any inspiration from the original movies?
Vanessa Eichholz: I did. Because my character already appeared in the first movie and also in the comic books. So the first one I actually did as a research piece because I had never seen it before.
The Knockturnal: And this movie is going more along the lines of a darker route. What was it like stepping into this role knowing that the film was going to be dark and more horror-like?
Vanessa Eichholz: It was a lot of fun actually. As an actor, you get to play around with a bunch of stuff. And there were explosions and a lot of action and so that was a lot of fun.
The Knockturnal: And what was your favorite scene to film?
Vanessa Eichholz: I can’t really give much away but I will say that all the scenes were fun.
The Knockturnal: And who was the most fun to work with on set:
Vanessa Eichholz: I really enjoyed working with Thomas Haden Church. I loved the interactions and we got ready in the same makeup trailer. And I am a big fan of his and it was nice to work with him.
Joel Harlow
The Knockturnal: What was it like creating Hellboy through makeup? What was the inspiration behind this new look?
Joel Harlow: The inspiration was strictly Mike Mignola comic book designs. That was our primary, and really only design reference. We did pull a couple of other designs from different artists like Richard Corbin who had done versions of the Hellboy character over the years. We didn’t reference any of the older movie version at all.
The Knockturnal: What was it like getting David into the Hellboy look?
Joel Harlow: It was great. David at the beginning told me that somewhere in – we started in like September – he said by November I am going to flip out and then be normal. November came, November went and he never flipped out, it was amazing. And that’s a lot for him to undergo. Everything you are looking at is entirely a cover.
The Knockturnal: And what was it like for you to be on this set and create these characters?
Joel Harlow: I mean, that’s what I am used to. I’m used to department heavy films and spearheading big films like this.
The film is now playing.
