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Filming has begun in Prague on Revolution Studios' "Hellboy," a supernatural action adventure film based on the enormously popular Dark Horse Comics hero, it was announced today by Revolution Studios Partner Todd Garner. The film, which stars Ron Perlman, Selma Blair, John Hurt and Jeffrey Tambor, is scheduled for a Summer 2004 release by Columbia Pictures.

"Hellboy," which is written and directed by Guillermo Del Toro, is being produced for Revolution Studios by Lawrence Gordon, Dark Horse Comics' Mike Richardson and Lloyd Levin. Patrick Palmer is serving as executive producer and Dark Horse Comic's Mike Mignola is serving as associate producer.

In addition, six-time Academy Award winner Rick Baker ("How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Men in Black," "The Nutty Professor," "Ed Wood," "Harry and the Hendersons," "An American Werewolf in London") is creating the special makeup effects for the film.

Born in the flames of hell, and brought to our world in a pagan ritual, the fierce red hero, Hellboy (Perlman), was saved by his friend and mentor, the benevolent Dr. Broom (Hurt). Raised in Broom's Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense, Hellboy joins the likes of the "Mer-Man" Abe Sapien, Liz Sherman (Blair), the woman he loves who can psychically control fire, and Myers, the FBI agent who is his rival for Liz's affections. Together, our heroes must come to terms with fantastic powers that prove to be both a blessing and a curse. In the process they discover that their abilities serve to benefit mankind but may also keep them forever isolated from the society that only they can protect.

"Hellboy has an amazing following and we are thrilled to be bringing it to the screen for the first time," said Revolution Studios' Garner. "Guillermo has wanted to make this film for a long time, and we are confident his vision will remain true to the dark and sophisticated tone that fans have come to expect."

Ron Perlman, who portrays Hellboy, is best known for his Golden Globe-nominated portrayal of the title character in the television series "Beauty and the Beast." Among his other credits are "Star Trek: Nemesis," "Blade II," "Enemy at the Gates," "Happy, Texas," "Alien: Resurrection," "The Island of Dr. Moreau," and "The Name of the Rose."

Selma Blair, who plays Liz Sherman, was most recently seen in the comedy "A Guy Thing," alongside Jason Lee and Julia Stiles. Her other credits include "The Sweetest Thing," "Legally Blonde," "Storytelling," "Down to You," and "Cruel Intentions."

John Hurt, who plays Dr. Broom, is a two-time Academy Award nominee for his roles in "The Elephant Man" and "Midnight Express." He will next be seen in the crime thriller "Owning Mahowny." His other credits include "Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone," "Captain Corelli's Mandolin," "Contact," "Love and Death on Long Island," "Rob Roy," "Scandal," "1984," and "Alien."

Jeffrey Tambor who portrays FBI agent Tom Manning, was most recently seen in "Never Again" and is a four-time Emmy nominee for his role as Hank Kingsley in The Larry Sanders Show. His other credits include "How the Grinch Stole Christmas," "Pollock," "Meet Joe Black," "There's Something About Mary," and "Doctor Dolittle."

Rounding out the cast are Karel Roden ("Blade II," "15 Minutes") who plays Grigori Rasputin, Victoria Smurfit ("About a Boy," "The Beach") who plays Ilsa, newcomer Rupert Evans who plays FBI Agent Myers, and Doug Jones ("Adaptation," "Men in Black II," "Mystery Men"), who plays Abe Sapien.

Guillermo Del Toro most recently directed the action thriller "Blade II," staring Wesley Snipes. His other directing credits include "Mimic," starring Mira Sorvino and Jeremy Northam, and "Cronos," starring Ron Perlman, both of which he also wrote.

SOURCE: Revolution Studios