Actor Ron Perlman has revealed he turned down an opportunity to return as the iconic demon superhero Hellboy because director Guillermo del Toro wasn't attached to the project.
During an interview with That Hashtag Show, Perlman made it clear where his loyalties lie. "For Guillermo, I would," the actor stated when asked about potentially reprising the role. "I had an opportunity to play him for other people and I passed. That's his franchise as far as I'm concerned – and I'm his boy."
Perlman previously portrayed the cigar-chomping paranormal investigator in two del Toro-directed films: 2004's "Hellboy" and its 2008 sequel "Hellboy: The Golden Army." The pair's creative partnership has extended beyond the Hellboy franchise, including their collaboration on the 2013 sci-fi blockbuster "Pacific Rim."
The franchise has seen two attempts at revival since Perlman's departure. A 2019 reboot starring David Harbour failed to impress critics and audiences, while 2024's horror-focused "The Crooked Man" struggled at the box office, earning just $2 million.
Meanwhile, del Toro is focusing on his upcoming Netflix adaptation of "Frankenstein," starring Oscar Isaac, Jacob Elordi, and Mia Goth, scheduled for release later this year. The director has expressed a deep personal connection to the project, stating, "The character has fused with my soul. It doesn't get more personal than this."