Todd Phillips, the director known for his work on Joker, has confirmed in a recent interview with Variety that the much-anticipated Hulk Hogan biopic starring Chris Hemsworth is no longer moving forward. This news, which has also been confirmed by IGN.com, has left many fans disappointed, as the film had generated significant buzz since its announcement in 2019.
Phillips shared his frustration, stating, “I loved what we were trying to do, but it’s not going to come together for me.” The project, which aimed to reveal a hidden side of the professional wrestling world and chronicle Hulk Hogan‘s rise to fame in the 1980s, is now shelved. The script, written by Scott Silver and John Pollono, intentionally steered clear of Hogan’s more recent scandals and legal battles.
Details of the canceled project
Chris Hemsworth, best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, had shown great enthusiasm for portraying Hulk Hogan. In 2020, the actor shared with Total Film his excitement for the role and his dedication to the project, noting that he was working harder than ever to bulk up for the part.
Key aspects Hemsworth mentioned about his preparation for the role included:
- Intense physical preparation: The actor described the role as “insanely physical” and mentioned that he would need to put on more muscle mass than he ever had, even for Thor.
- Working on the accent and attitude: Beyond the physical demands, Hemsworth emphasized that nailing Hogan’s accent and attitude would be crucial for bringing the character to life.
A project that never took off
The development of the biopic faced several setbacks, the most significant occurring last October when Hulk Hogan revealed on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast that Netflix had abruptly ended its involvement due to a “business glitch.” Hogan explained that Netflix missed a key deadline, leading to a change in direction.
Hogan also mentioned that his “life rights” are now held by another entity, though he left the door open for Todd Phillips and Chris Hemsworth to possibly revisit the project in the future. Despite the cancellation, Hogan hinted that there’s still a significant opportunity in this space.
The future of Hulk Hogan-related films
Although this biopic has been canceled, another project centered on Hulk Hogan is still in development. Artists Equity, the company founded by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon, acquired the script for a film titled Killing Gawker, which will explore the wrestler’s legal battle against Gawker Media. Rumors suggest that Ben Affleck might star in this film, adding another intriguing chapter to Hogan’s cinematic legacy.
The cancellation of this project highlights the unpredictable nature of biopics, which can be as tumultuous as the lives they aim to depict. However, the enduring fascination with Hulk Hogan and the world of professional wrestling ensures that new stories will continue to emerge in the future.