The upcoming film “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” has been making headlines recently due to controversy surrounding the use of artificial intelligence (AI) in its production. However, director Brian Taylor has taken to social media to clarify that AI was not used in the making of the film.
In a series of tweets, Taylor emphasized that both the Hellboy and the Crooked Man characters were created and shot 100% practically, with no CGI enhancement. He also clarified that the comments made by Jonathan Yunger, President of Millennium Films, referring to the use of AI for creature designs, were actually referring to a different project, “The Offering”.
Taylor’s response was a reassurance to the fanbase, stating that the new Hellboy has been crafted without the help of AI, maintaining the traditional practical effects that fans have come to admire. He expressed his confidence in the film’s visuals, stating that both characters look “AMAZING” and were created and shot “100% gloriously practical, as the movie gods intended”.
The film, set in rural Appalachia with a focus on dark forces and witchcraft, marks the first Hellboy movie to involve Mike Mignola in a creative capacity, with the beloved creator co-writing the screenplay with Chris Golden. The upcoming reboot follows Hellboy and a new Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defense agent, stranded in 1950s rural Appalachia, as they uncover a small community plagued by witches, led by The Crooked Man, a local devil with a disturbing connection to Hellboy’s past.
What do you think about the decision to use traditional practical effects in “Hellboy: The Crooked Man” instead of AI? Do you prefer the nostalgic feel of practical effects or the potential for AI to enhance the visual experience? Share your thoughts in the comments below.
