Update: September 4, 2017
First Plot Synopsis for HELLBOY Reboot; Filming Locations Revealed
The folks over at
Omega Underground spotted production details about
Hellboy over at My Entertainment World. The latter site updated its film schedule to include
Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen despite the reboot having dropped the subtitle.
According to My Entertainment World,
Hellboy is expected to start filming in mid-September. The movie will shoot in both the United Kingdom as well as Bulgaria. The site lists the film as being a mix between action, adventure, and sci-fi fantasy. And, if you look at the film’s new synopsis, you will see why.
The production information included a short synopsis for
Hellboy, and you can read up on it below:
“The film is about Hellboy going to England, where he must defeat Nimue, Merlin’s consort and the Blood Queen. But their battle will bring about the end of the world, a fate he desperately tries to turn away.”
David Harbour has been cast to play Hellboy while Milla Jovovich signed on to bring Nimue to life. Hellboy has also tapped Ian McShane to play Trevor Bruttenholm, the adoptive father of Hellboy. The leads will be joined by Penelope Mitchell as the
Hemlock Grove actress was recently brought on to play a witch. The
Hellboy reboot is currently slated to hit theaters in 2018.
'Hellboy' Reboot Synopsis & Filming Locations Revealed
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Update: August 30, 2017
HEMLOCK GROVE's Penelope Mitchell Joins HELLBOY Reboot as Ganeida
Penelope Mitchell has joined the Neil Marshall-directed reboot
Hellboy: Rise Of The Blood Queen from Lionsgate and Millennium Films. The film was written by Andrew Cosby, Christopher Golden, Hellboy creator Mike Mignola, and Aron Coleite.
David Harbour stars as Hellboy who, along with his team of paranormal researchers, try to save the world from a medieval sorceress who wants to destroy humankind. Mitchell will play the role of Ganeida, an elder witch who has decided that Nimue’s wrath has gone on for too long and must be stopped.
The announcement of Mitchell’s casting comes shortly after actor Ed Skrein, who was initially cast in the movie as a Japanese character, made headlines for exiting the project following criticism of whitewashing.
Mitchell is known for her work in the films
The Fear of Darkness and
The Waiting Game, as well as the TV series
Hemlock Grove and
The Vampire Diaries. Mitchel was recently cast in
Between Worlds opposite Nicolas Cage and previously appeared in producer Darren Aronofsky’s
Zipper and the Blumhouse film
Curve.
‘Hellboy’ Reboot Adds ‘Hemlock Grove’ Actress Penelope Mitchell (Exclusive)
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Update: August 28, 2017
Ed Skrein Exits HELLBOY Reboot After Whitewashing Outcry
Ed Skrein is leaving the
Hellboy reboot after an outcry over his casting.
Skrein, who is known for playing the villain in last year's
Deadpool, joined the cast of the
Hellboy reboot last week, and he was to play rugged military member Major Ben Daimio, who in the comic books is Asian.
Some on social media
objected to the casting, calling it another example of Hollywood whitewashing a character. And after a mounting outcry, he has decided to leave the project,
sharing the news on Twitter Monday.
"It is clear that representing this character in a culturally accurate way holds significance for people, and that to neglect this responsibility would continue a worrying tendency to obscure ethnic minority stories and voice in the Arts. I feel it is important to honour and respect that. There I have decided to step down so the role can be cast appropriately," the actor wrote in a statement. "Representation of ethnic diversity is important, especially to me as I have a mixed heritage family. It is our responsibility to make more decisions in difficult times and to give voice to inclusivity. It is my hope that one day these discussions will become less necessary and that we can help make equal representation in the Arts a reality."
Conversations about whitewashing have come to the forefront over the past year after examples such as
Ghost in the Shell and
Doctor Strange cast white actors as characters who were Asian in the source material, but this is the first time an actor has exited such a high-profile project in response to a public criticism. Skrein swiftly began
getting praise online after making his announcement.
Stranger Things' David Harbour is starring in the
Hellboy reboot, which is based on the the demonic hero from comic book creator Mike Mignola.
Game of Thrones director Neil Marshall is helming the project. Ian McShane is playing hero’s adoptive father, while Milla Jovovich is playing a medieval sorceress who wants to destroy humanity.
Producers Larry Gordon, Lloyd Levin, Millennium and Lionsgate also released a statement Monday in support of Skrein's decision: "Ed came to us and felt very strongly about this. We fully support his unselfish decision. It was not our intent to be insensitive to issues of authenticity and ethnicity, and we will look to recast the part with an actor more consistent with the character in the source material."
Ed Skrein Exits 'Hellboy' Reboot After Whitewashing Outcry
