INTERVIEW WITH RON PERLMAN:
Are you happy with the reception of “Hellboy?”
It’s gone way beyond my expectations. It’s such an unconventional way of putting a movie together and a journey that was filled with fantastical pit stops along the way, culminating in the greenlight to go. The film’s doing something that I’ve never really enjoyed, which is overwhelming promotional success.
Has the studio done anything special because of the impressive ticket sales?
They gave me the gift that keeps on giving – it’s called “Hellboy 2.”
What is the latest on that?
On Monday morning (April 5, 2004) I awoke to the news that “Hellboy 2” was going to be greenlit.
What can happen in “Hellboy 2?”
Everything that didn’t happen in “Hellboy 1,” and maybe a couple of things that did.
Are there specific villains out there you’d like to see introduced? Who are some of your favorites?
He comes from Hell and we haven’t quite seen him there yet. So, who knows? I mean, Mike Mignola has provided us with chapters and chapters of possibilities in the comic book. I’ll be the first one online to find out.
And will Guillermo del Toro and Selma Blair be returning as well?
Guillermo is key. I don’t know anything beyond that. Selma, I would love to see. I would love to see everybody back. I’d love to see John Hurt back.
Have you heard that he may go to Hell?
I don’t know. I don’t know what Guillermo has got up his sleeves. I have faith – I know him – he’s going to try to top this.
When do you start filming “Hellboy 2?”
Well they still have to write it so it’s going to be a while.
Have they said anything about filming it next year and releasing it in 2006?
They better hurry because I’m getting old (laughing).
Has there been any more discussions of doing a “Beauty and the Beast” movie? You’re a hot commodity now.
[It's] the same thing I’ve always felt. The show was such a high water mark. It was done with so much integrity and dignity that if they were able to fund it and take it to another level, I’d be very interested.
What else are you working on?
I’m actually prepping a film to direct in the fall. I’m putting together the cast. It’s called “Wooden Leg.” There are some other things out there right now but the one thing I’m engaged in is directing that little film.
What’s it about?
(Smiling) It’s about 98 pages.
Will you be acting in it as well?
No, I would never work with me. I don’t like me as a director and I’m not too thrilled with me as an actor, so I wouldn’t put those two things together ever.
Have you cast “Wooden Leg” yet?
No one is set except for Hal Holbrook. The story centers around two brothers, around 26 and 29, and I’ll be tapping into the usual suspects. It requires two phenomenal acting performances.
Did you write this movie?
No. It was written by a couple of brothers, Bryant and Neal Turner, with whom I have three scripts. I think they’re phenomenally beautiful, witty, very unpredictable talented writers.
