Yahoo News Wells Cathedral reassures parishioners over 'Hellboy' filming
It might seem an unlikely film to be welcomed with open arms by the Church; a half-demon summoned from Hell by the Nazis to help win the Second World War.
But staff at Wells Cathedral have headed off any criticism and insisted that, despite appearances, "Hellboy" - which filmed in the medieval building over the weekend - has a strong Christian message.
Following questions by parishioners, cathedral staff issued a statement saying the film symbolises the "eternal battle of good over evil" which encourages "an intelligent faith which does not hide from controversy and one that looks for the good inside people no matter their outward appearance."
Despite his name and blood-red appearance the titular character is actually a force for good, a spokeswoman explained.
His true nature is one of a hero and he becomes a defender against the forces of darkness
Staff at Wells Cathedral
The film, set during the Second World War, concerns the half-demon summoned from Hell, who is then adopted by the allied side.
She said the production company had been allowed to film a "small element" of the upcoming release "Hellboy: Rise of the Blood Queen" in the cathedral.
"We realise that the idea of this filming may cause concern with some people who aren't familiar with the stories and character.
"Hellboy originated, in fact, as a superhero in a series of novels created by Mike Mignola.
"His true nature is one of a hero and he becomes a defender against the forces of darkness," she said.
The filming was surrounded by mystery with many locals speculating that the crew were making Fantastic Beasts and Where to Find Them or the new series of Doctor Who.
But it was revealed as the Hellboy film, a reboot of the franchise originally created by Dark Horse Comics, when passers-by noticed that the names on the trailers corresponded to characters in the film.
It will star David Harbour, who plays police chief Jim Hopper in supernatural TV series Stranger Things, as well as Ian McShane and Milla Jovovich.
The cathedral said it had not had any complaints about the filming but was responding to "questions" from the public.
