Hellboy producer Lloyd Levin says actor Ian McShane is sharp and humourous, and added his own presence to the film. Based on the graphic novels by Mike Mignola, Hellboy follows the powerful demon Anung Un Rama (aka Hellboy) as he fights monsters and other demonic creatures while working for the government's secret Bureau for Paranormal Research and Defence.

David Harbour will be seen in the lead role. McShane is seen as Hellboy's adoptive father Professor Trevor Broom Bruttenholm. "Casting Ian McShane allowed us, with Mike Mignola's help, to approach Professor Broom with a bit more complexity than in the comic books," Levin said in a statement.