For over three decades, Doug Jones has made a career out of playing fantastical creatures in films and in TV shows. However, fans of comic book movies will always remember him for bringing Abe Sapien to life in Guillermo del Toro’s Hellboy duology. Although Hellboy is about to be rebooted, the producers considered inviting Jones back to the series in a new capacity.
“There was a chance that a cameo might have happened, but not as things progressed,” said Jones via The Hollywood Reporter. “Reboot means recasting, and I’m told this first reboot does not have anybody in it from the original film. I received an offer to do a cameo, but I was deeply immersed in Star Trek: Discovery when that offer came in, so I couldn’t do it.”
Jones currently stars as Saru on Star Trek: Discovery for CBS All Access. He played Abe Sapien in 2004’s Hellboy and its 2008 sequel, Hellboy II: The Golden Army. His dialogue in the original film was dubbed by David Hyde Pierce, but Pierce wasn’t credited for his work. Jones’ own voice was eventually heard in The Golden Army. He also voiced Abe in a pair of Hellboy animated features in 2006 and 2007.
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Of course, Jones’ flirtations with the superhero genre didn’t end with the Hellboy movies. He also starred as the titular antagonist via motion capture in 2007’s Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer. Laurence Fishburne provided the character’s voice in that film. Although his role as the Surfer was a one-and-done deal, Jones hoped to continue playing Norrin Radd in future installments, including an aborted spinoff written by J. Michael Straczynksi. Fox may have closed the book on that iteration of the character, but Jones hasn’t ruled out wielding the Power Cosmic for a second go-round.
“I’m not at the studio level, so I have no idea what happened from there,” said Jones. “I was onboard then, and I would be onboard now if the Surfer ever came back. He’s a beloved character and I would love to play him again.”
Who would you have liked to see Jones play in the Hellboy reboot? Would you like to see him reprise his role as the Silver Surfer in a future Marvel Studios film? Tell us what you think in the comment section below!
