Only in Tennessee: Theater changes movie title from 'Hellboy' to 'Heckboy' on billboard
NASHVILLE, Tenn. (WZTV) - A midstate theater’s billboard is creating a buzz both locally and across the country after the owner changed the name of the movie on the sign from “Hellboy” to “Heckboy.”
The decision to change the film’s name on the Roxy 8 sign in Dickson was made by owner Belinda Daniel, who didn’t want to speak on-camera.
Many in the community, like Scarlett James, say they’re supporting her decision.
"My opinion is, is that she's the owner of the theater, and has the right to put what she wants to on her sign,” James said.
Daniel told FOX 17 News that she has never displayed any words on the sign that may be seen as profanity, especially since the Roxy is next to Oakmont Elementary School.
James’ son, Lucas, used to go to school here.
"The buses and the parents' cars sit right in front of the sign for an extended period of time, and then just general passer-byers pass by it and see it, and I think she was just trying to look out and protect what young children see,” James said.
"This small town out here in Dickson, there's fine people out here, and I think it's kind of cool to think they're taking a stand on what they believe in,” White Bluff resident Wynn Towns said.
Daniel said news outlets across the country have picked up on Daniel’s unique sign.
“As it turned out, our play on words became a little more exciting than we expected,” Daniel said. “We are glad that we could share a small bit of our great community while also sharing a laugh with the rest of the world.”
Although James said the sign is comedic, it presents a more serious conversation about children being exposed to words like “hell.”
"It's just something that I think should be an individual parents' decision, not be something that's blasted out there for everyone to choose to tell your child,” James said. “Whether I do or don't agree with saying that word, it should be a parent's choice."
Daniel said the sign is the only place where the movie’s title was changed. It appears as “Hellboy” both on the theater’s website, and on the billboards posted on the front of the theater.
