David Harbour Explains How The Hellboy Reboot Will Use Its R-Rating

It’s safe to say that one of the most speculated about superhero films currently in development is Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen. While the kitten-loving antihero garnered quite a few fans thanks to Guillermo del Toro‘s Hellboy films, Rise of the Blood Queen is set to be a reboot, with Stranger Things star David Harbour in the lead role.

During a recent interview with MTV News during San Diego Comic-Con, Harbour spoke about one way Rise of the Blood Queen will differ from its predecessor – an R rating. According to Harbour, that rating will allow the film to take new risks – particularly in terms of subject matter.

“It goes R not for reasons of nudity.” Harbour explained. “It goes R for a bit of gore and horror, but also a bit of just the mature aspect of it, the mature themes of it. Just that we’re dealing with complicated subjects.”

As Harbour has previously explained, Rise of the Blood Queen will be very character-driven, and go into the emotional depths of the iconic character.

“It’s a real character piece. Of course, it has huge action elements to it, but we’ve modeled it somewhat on Shakespeare. I mean, it’s a bit like Hamlet. It really is this study of this man going through this horrible conundrum and we really get to go in deep with him.”

Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen does not currently have a release date. Neil Marshall (Game of Thrones) will direct Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen.

The new Hellboy film will be a total reboot that is not connected to the previous two films, Hellboy and Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Guillermo del Toro, the director of those previous films, and star Ron Perlman are not involved. Both del Toro and Perlman had been campaigning to shoot a third Hellboy movie, but those negotiations reportedly fell through when del Toro and the Producers could not reach a compromise over the sequel’s budget.

The first Hellboy movie opened in theaters in 2004. Hellboy II: The Golden Army followed in 2008. In addition to Perlman, the films also starred Selma Blair, Jeffrey Tambor, Karel Roden, Rupert Evans, John Hurt, and Doug Jones.

More Hellboy News: Hellboy Reboot Was Originally Meant To Connect To Del Toro’s Movies / Hellboy Reboot Appears To have Found A Home / Hellboy Reboot Director One What To Expect From R-Rating / Del Toro Gives His Blessing To Hellboy Reboot