The success of Deadpool has proved that unconventional, adult-themed comic book movies can also be a hit with audiences. Unfortunately its popularity may have come too late for cigar-chomping demonic superhero Hellboy, with star Ron Perlman revealing that a third movie in the series is unlikely to happen.

　　As reported by Variety, Perlman was asked about the possibility of the character returning to the screen for Hellboy 3. The actor admitted that it would "probably will never happen, though you never say never never."

　　Perlman played Hellboy twice, in 2004's Hellboy and 2008's Hellboy II: The Golden Army, both of which were directed by Pacific Rim's Guillermo del Toro.

　　Both Perlman and del Toro have previously expressed a desire to make third film. Last year, del Toro explained that part of the problem was budgetary. "The hard fact is that the movie's going to need about $120 million and there's nobody knocking down our doors to give it to us," he admitted during a Television Critic's Association Q&A.

　　"It's a little beyond Kickstarter. It would be great to complete the trilogy, but in a way I don't see the world--the industry--supporting that idea."

　　Hellboy was created by Mike Mignola. He first appeared in 1993, and has featured in a wide variety of regular comic books, miniseries, one-shots, and crossovers since then, published by Dark Horse Comics.