In 2004, visionary writer/director GUILLERMO DEL TORO brought MIKE MIGNOLA’s comic-book hero Hellboy (RON PERLMAN of Blade II, Alien: Resurrection) to the screen. The overly muscled occult detective, complete with horns, tail and hard-boiled attitude, was an everyman who’d become a favorite of fanboys around the world, including del Toro. Del Toro introduced the reluctant crimefighter to a global audience with the feature Hellboy, and his film’s wit, action and ingenious practical effects launched a critical and commercial hit for comic lovers and general audiences alike.
The filmmaker’s epic odyssey continues with the action-thriller Hellboy II: The Golden Army, the feature follow-up to his 2006 triple Oscar®-winning masterpiece, Pan’s Labyrinth. Bringing bigger muscle, badder weapons, multitudes of monsters and a little domestic conflict at home, our favorite kitten-loving red hero is back. And this time, he kicks even more evil ass.
Hellboy fights the good fight when duty calls from his employer: the top-secret Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense (a clandestine bureau created in 1943 by Roosevelt that uses secret technology, mysterious powers and a network of operatives with otherworldly powers to defend the world against the more violent supernatural—also known as the B.P.R.D.). He would, however, much rather kick back with a cigar, six-pack, his pyrokinetic girlfriend Liz Sherman (SELMA BLAIR of Legally Blonde, In Good Company) and their clutter of cats. But destiny has bigger plans for them.
After an ancient truce between humankind and the original sons of the Earth is broken, all hell is about to break loose. The anarchical underworld Prince Nuada (LUKE GOSS of Blade II, Unearthed) has grown weary of centuries of deference to mankind. He plots to awaken a long-dormant army of killing machines that will return what belongs to his people; all magical creatures shall finally be free to roam again. Now, only Hellboy can stop the dark ruler and save our world from annihilation.
Joining the wise-cracking, amber-eyed demon and his flammable girlfriend are returning principal Hellboy cast—including the bureau’s brilliant aquatic empath Abe Sapien (DOUG JONES of Pan’s Labyrinth, Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer) and B.P.R.D. bureaucrat Tom Manning (JEFFREY TAMBOR of Superhero Movie, Arrested Development). Acclaimed actor JOHN HURT (Indiana Jones and the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull, V for Vendetta) is also back for the latest chapter in the franchise as Hellboy’s surrogate dad (and savior from the Nazis) Professor Trevor Broom. New to the team is the now public face of the formerly clandestine B.P.R.D., protoplasmic mystic Johann Krauss, a role shared by JOHN ALEXANDER (Mighty Joe Young, Gorillas in the Mist: The Story of Dian Fossey) and newcomer JAMES DODD; Krauss is voiced by SETH MACFARLANE, creator of FOX’s smash-hit Family Guy and the man behind many of that show’s signature voices.
Nuada’s merciless drive for revenge is balanced by the regal compassion of his twin, the ethereal beauty Princess Nuala (ANNA WALTON of The Mutant Chronicles, A Girl and a Gun). ROY DOTRICE (Alien Hunter, Amadeus) plays their anguished father King Balor and BRIAN STEELE (Hellboy) portrays the Prince’s henchman Mr. Wink, plus multiple additional characters in del Toro’s world. Movement artist Jones joins Steele in portraying assorted practical-effects beasts, including the king’s highest court Chamberlain and the stunning creature that is the Angel of Death.
For this battle, the B.P.R.D. must travel between the surface strata of the humans and the hidden magical one, where creatures of fantasy rule. And Hellboy, a creature of both worlds who’s accepted by neither, must choose between the life he knows and an unknown destiny that beckons.
Hellboy II: The Golden Army’s behind-the-camera crew is an accomplished team of artists, including longtime del Toro collaborators: Academy Award®-winning cinematographer GUILLERMO NAVARRO (Pan’s Labyrinth, Night at the Museum), production designer STEPHEN SCOTT (Hellboy, Doom), editor BERNAT VILAPLANA (Pan’s Labyrinth, La Monja) and creature and makeup-effects head MIKE ELIZALDE (Hellboy, X-Men: The Last Stand). Joining the production for the latest Hellboy chapter are costume designer SAMMY SHELDON (V for Vendetta, Black Hawk Down), visual effects supervisor MICHAEL J. WASSEL (Evan Almighty, 2 Fast 2 Furious) and triple Oscar®-nominated composer DANNY ELFMAN (Spider-Man 2, Wanted).
With a screenplay by del Toro, Hellboy II: The Golden Army’s screen story was written by del Toro & Mike Mignola, based upon the Dark Horse comic book created by co-executive producer Mignola. Also returning for the film are noted producers LAWRENCE GORDON (Hellboy, Lara Croft: Tomb Raider, Die Hard), Lloyd Levin (Hellboy, United 93) and president and founder of Dark Horse Comics MIKE RICHARDSON (Hellboy, 30 Days of Night). CHRIS SYMES (Resident Evil, AVP: Alien vs. Predator) serves as executive producer.
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