Hellboy reboot: Lionsgate in talks to release Rise of the Blood Queen

Starring Stranger Things’ David Harbour in the title role

Despite Guillermo del Toro releasing two wonderful adaptations of Hellboy, the character’s creator, Mike Mignola, has decided to reboot the franchise with Neil Marshall — best known for directing horror film The Decent, along with various episodes for Game of Thrones, Westworld, and Hannibal.

While the project has a lead actor in Stranger Things’ David Harbour — and producers Larry Gordon, Lloyd Levin and Mike Richardson of Dark Horse Entertainment on board — no studio has scooped the project.

However, The Hollywood Reporter is claiming Lionsgate are looking to purchase Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen.

Whereas most franchise instalments are released by the same studio, the first Hellboy was made by Revolution Studios and released by Sony, while the sequel was made by Universal. Lionsgate would be the third to release an adaptation.

Speaking about the future film, Marshall confirmed there would be an R-rating. “It’s not like I’m going to force it to be R-rated,” he said, “but if it happens to come out that way, just because of my own sensibilities, then fine. And nobody’s going to stop us.

“So, that’s the main [difference]. But, also, when you go back the original material, it is kind of bloody, so I’m going to embrace that.”

The R-Rating seemingly bringing the films closer to the darker tones of the comics rather than family-focussed Del Toro series.

According to several previous reported, Del Toro met with Dark Horse Entertainment, along with the producers, to discuss future ideas for the series. However, the Mexican director apparently wanted a larger budget, something they were not willing to offer.

Del Toro said of Mignola pressing on without him: "Hellboy may move into a different direction. I tried & wanted this - but, not up to me. I, for one, wish everyone involved the best of luck! “

Comic book author Andrew Cosby, Sons of Anarchy novelist Christopher Golden and Mignola will pen the script.