Summary
- Hellboy: The Crooked Man
director Brian Taylor cleared that artificial intelligence was not used in crafting the new film, maintaining traditional practical effects fans love. - President of Millennium Films clarified AI comments, stating they were referring to a different project.
- Hellboy: The Crooked Man
is set in rural Appalachia with a focus on dark forces and witchcraft.
Hellboy: The Crooked Man director Brian Taylor recently cleared the air on social media regarding the use of artificial intelligence in the film’s production. The director pointed out that the new Hellboy has been crafted without the help of AI, maintaining the traditional practical effects that fans have come to admire.
Taylor’s response on X was both a clarification and a reassurance to the fanbase. He stated:
“to be clear: there is exactly *ZERO* AI used on hellboy: the crooked man. both characters – hellboy and the crooked man – were created and shot 100% gloriously practical, as the movie gods intended, with no cgi enhancement… and look AMAZING.”
The confusion began at the 74th Berlin International Film Festival when Jonathan Yunger, President of Millennium Films, mentioned using AI to generate thousands of creature designs for a project. Yunger said:
“I was able to make 3000 creature designs in an hour. So now I can start to cherry-pick and edit those and then send it to visual effects.”
His comments led to assumptions that the upcoming Hellboy installment had utilized digital technology for its creature effects. However, it was later clarified that Yunger was referring to a different film within Millennium’s slate. Taylor responded (via X):
“he was misquoted, my man. the comment was referring to a different film, THE OFFERING. rest assured there is zero AI used on HBTCM and our gloriously practical hellboy looks phenomenal. probably the article was written by AI…”
The decision to stick with practical effects for Hellboy: The Crooked Man appeals with a significant portion of the audience who value traditional methods. This approach aligns with the visual aesthetics of Mike Mignola’s original comics. The film will be the third reboot of Mignola’s iconic character. The specifics of the film remain under wraps, as trailers and posters are yet to be released.
Jack Kesy’s Hellboy Will Face His Past in Hellboy: The Crooked Man
Hellboy: The Crooked Man will be set in the 1950s rural Appalachia. This new installment in the Hellboy saga introduces the viewers to a community plagued by dark forces and witchcraft, with Hellboy and a novice agent from the Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense at the center of the storm.
The film stars Jack Kesy as Hellboy. Kesy is joined by an ensemble cast including Jefferson White, Adeline Rudolph, Joseph Marcell, Leah McNamara, Hannah Margetson, and Martin Bassindale. The film will have Hellboy encounter the Crooked Man, a nefarious figure with a disturbing link to Hellboy’s own history.
10 Scariest Villains from the Hellboy Franchise
Hellboy has faced off against a variety of horrifying villains, including famous names from folklore and history.
Produced by Millennium Films and distributed by Ketchup Entertainment, Hellboy: The Crooked Man is penned by a team that includes Hellboy creator Mike Mignola and Christopher Golden, ensuring the film stays true to its graphic novel roots while exploring new, dark thematic elements.
Hellboy: The Crooked Man producer Les Weldon described a meticulous search to find an actor who could embody the brooding and complex nature of Hellboy. Weldon highlighted Jack Kesy’s unique qualities, which made him a fitting choice for this darker and more introspective version of Hellboy.
Hellboy: The Crooked Man does not have a release date yet, but is expected to premiere this year.
