As a seasoned cinema enthusiast who has witnessed the rise and fall of countless projects, I find myself both intrigued and saddened by the demise of the Hulk Hogan biopic that once featured Chris Hemsworth. The script, as described by Hogan himself, sounded like a masterpiece, potentially earning Hemsworth an Oscar nod and solidifying the film’s place in the annals of cinema history.
A “stunning” Hulk Hogan biography, featuring in its cast, was previously under development at Warner Bros., but a contract dispute eventually caused it to fall apart. The project, boasting Scott Silver and Todd Phillips as writer and director respectively, had been in the works for three years when a payment was missed at a crucial moment. According to Hulk Hogan, otherwise known as Terry Bollea, this biopic was anticipated to be a strong contender during awards season. In an interview on the PBD podcast, Hogan discussed the cancelled film.
In the contract, there seemed to be an oversight regarding a payment that didn’t arrive on schedule. The script was outstanding; Scott Silver, renowned for his work on films like Joker and The Wolf of Wall Street, even declared it as his best work yet. Reading it, I couldn’t help but think, ‘Wow, this is fantastic!’ At that moment, I shared my enthusiasm about wrestling with him.
Initially slated to headline the movie as a WWE Hall of Famer, Chris Hemsworth’s performance was highly commended by Hulk Hogan. Echoing his sentiments, Hogan asserted that the script was exceptionally “powerful,” potentially earning Hemsworth an Academy Award. However, Hogan later declined the role when given the chance, expressing apprehension that the film might be the only thing people would remember him by in the end.
For approximately three years, I collaborated extensively with this writer. Upon reading it, I found it extremely bleak, if you catch my drift, but it seemed to be what the audience might appreciate. Reading it, I exclaimed, ‘Wow, if this gets published,’ there were discussions that Chris Hemsworth had never portrayed a real person before and he could potentially win an Oscar for his performance in this role – it’s that powerful. I thought, ‘That’s fantastic, everyone will do well,’ then I’ll be left here all by myself, and that might be the last thing people recall about me, so I simply pressed on. When they failed to meet a deadline, there was an opportunity for me to withdraw, and I did. I withdrew my participation.
Another Hulk Hogan-Centered Feature is Now in the Works
Hogan is one of the most famous names in wrestling (arguably, the sport’s most iconic figure), but he’s faced his share of controversies: in 1994, during Vince McMahon’s steroid trial, Hogan testified that he had used steroids (without McMahon’s knowledge); in 2012, a sex tape featuring Hogan was leaked online, and he subsequently sued outlet Gawker Media for invasion of privacy and emotional distress; and in 2015, leaked recordings revealed Hogan using racial slurs. He was terminated from the WWE and removed from the WWE Hall of Fame but was reinstated in 2018 after issuing a public apology and attending sensitivity training. Hogan also recently made headlines for his campaigning efforts on behalf of President-elect Donald Trump.
I’m thrilled to share that while the project directed by Phillips remains on hold, there’s another exciting movie in the works, focusing on Hogan. Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, under their Artists Equity banner, are bringing Killing Gawker to life. This film will delve into the Hogan-Gawker trial, inspired by Ryan Holiday’s book, Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker and the Anatomy of Intrigue. Charles Randolph, known for his work on The Big Short, is penning the screenplay. Gus Van Sant, renowned for Good Will Hunting, will be at the helm, with whispers suggesting that Affleck might portray Hogan. Following Hogan’s legal victory against Gawker (which resulted in a $140 million judgment), Gawker filed for bankruptcy.
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2024-11-07 20:20