Del Toro, Perlman trying to do Hellboy 3

It’s been rumoured for years, but ‘Hellboy 3’ seems closer than ever.

While promoting ‘Pacific Rim’ at San Diego Comic-Con, Guillermo del Toro told Entertainment Weekly: “I can say publicly that now we are together in trying [to do ‘Hellboy 3’].”

He says he has been encouraged by the many younger fans of the big red trench coat fan, especially six-year-old leukaemia sufferer Zachary. Perlman recently dressed up as the character to meet him.

“I’ve encountered a lot of kids who are fans of the series,” said del Toro, “but to hear the story of this kid who was watching the movies while going through treatment, it really just moved me a lot.”

He stressed that the studio was not onboard yet, but added: “We’re going to make an effort to do it. I hope it happens.”

Perlman also hinted at the story devised by del Toro.  “The [first] two movies were really set up to have this unbelievable resolve,” he said.

“Everything that was done in both movies was leading up to this destiny, written in stone, of what Hellboy has been summoned to Earth to do. To not do it, particularly in light of the scope that Guillermo is thinking of for the resolve, would be in my mind a little bit of a shame.”

‘Pacific Rim’ is released in the UK on 13 July 2013.