
“Passion projects” rarely materialize for most directors, but Guillermo del Toro has made a career specializing in them. For more than 15 years, the Mexican-born auteur has written and directed only the films of his choosing, including The Devil’s Backbone (2001) and the Oscar–nominated Pan’s Labyrinth (2006). His Hollywood experience has been equally rewarding, allowing the professional fanboy to adapt his favorite comic book, Hellboy, into a 2004 film. Though modestly successful, the movie wasn’t typical sequel-worthy fare—until its DVD sales paved the way for the devilish antihero’s return this July in Hellboy II: The Golden Army. Complex sat down with GDT to discuss censorship, fuck-you’s, and why he’s so good it’s scary.
By Matt Barone

At the Mountains of Madness
“We have the screenplay [an H.P. Lovecraft adaptation], but everybody seems afraid of financing such a big genre movie. But I’m being patient.”
Frankenstein
Dr. Strange
The Hobbit