As a long-time enthusiast of all things cinema, I must say that the news about Gus Van Sant directing “Killing Gawker” has me quite excited! With his impressive body of work spanning decades, it’s clear that he possesses the skill and experience to tackle such a complex story. From “Drugstore Cowboy” to “Good Will Hunting,” and even “Milk,” his films have always been rich in depth and emotion.
What’s your plan when Hulk Hogan and an irked Silicon Valley investor go on a rampage against you? That’s something audiences will discover eventually as the movie based on Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s book-to-screen adaptation of “Killing Gawker” unfolds. This upcoming film, which revolves around Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker Media following their publication of a private video involving the iconic WWE and WCW wrestler, will shed light on one of the most bizarre wrestling and pop culture tales from the 21st century.
There is already a ton of information about some aspects of the production, including all the big Hollywood talent working on things behind the scenes, the book on which the film is based, and so much more. Let’s dive into this highly-anticipated and long-in-the-works Hogan/Gawker movie.
What Is The Killing Gawker Release Date?
As of August 2024, there hasn’t been any confirmed release date for the “Killing Gawker” movie, which means you won’t find Hulk Hogan’s movie on the 2024 film schedule. While it’s possible that the movie could be released in 2025, it’s best not to hold your breath just yet.
While unexpected incidents are common in professional wrestling and its related ventures such as “Killing Gawker”, we eagerly anticipate learning about the movie’s release, and shall promptly inform our audience of any updates that emerge.
The Killing Gawker Cast
Similar to following gossip about professional wrestling, there have been significant rumors swirling around the cast of “Killing Gawker.” One such rumor claims that Ben Affleck might portray Hulk Hogan in the upcoming legal drama. Although The Hollywood Reporter reported in August 2024 that Affleck was considering the main role, no official casting decisions have been made yet.
It’s intriguing to imagine Affleck donning Hulkster’s iconic black bandana in court, elucidating the distinctions between Hogan the wrestler and Terry Bollea the individual. Keep an ear out for updates on casting, as we anticipate more information to unfold over the next weeks and months!
What Is Killing Gawker About?
In the future, when the series titled “Killing Gawker” is released, it will recount the intense legal dispute between Hogan and Gawker Media. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter, this conflict culminated in Gawker being obliged to pay the former wrestler $31 million (originally, they were to pay $140 million) and ultimately shut down. This whole situation originated from a 2012 article that published excerpts of a sex tape involving Hogan, which was said to have been recorded without his consent six years earlier.
The trial was notably financed by Peter Thiel, the co-creator of PayPal, who reportedly held a grudge against the site because he was exposed on a 2007 blog, as mentioned in The New York Times. As suggested by THR, Thiel is believed to be a central figure in the movie “Killing Gawker“, and it’s likely that Gawker’s founder, Nick Denton, will also play a significant role.
Killing Gawker Is Based On Ryan Holiday’s 2018 Non-Fiction Book, Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker and the Anatomy of Intrigue
Similar to numerous courtroom dramas, the movie “Killing Gawker” is inspired by a true story as well as a highly praised book detailing one of the most sensational out-of-ring wrestling tales in recent history. The Affleck and Damon production is an on-screen portrayal of Ryan Holiday’s non-fiction work, “Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Essence of Deception,” initially published in 2018. A paperback edition, titled “A True Story of Power, Sex, and a Billionaire’s Secret Plot to Overthrow a Media Empire” by Penguin Random House in 2019, features a revised subtitle, but the core content remains unchanged.
The book written by Holiday was highly praised by both critics and readers, earning a place on NPR’s list of notable books for 2018. Furthermore, it was described as “compelling” by the New York Times in their February 2018 review.
Gus Van Sant Is Set To Direct Killing Gawker
Matt Damon and Ben Affleck are set to work alongside their “Good Will Hunting” director, Gus Van Sant, on the project called “Killing Gawker.” While it’s unknown if Van Sant is a fan of wrestling, his extensive background in filmmaking spanning decades will contribute valuable insights as he tackles this complex and layered story.
For quite some time now, Van Sant has been responsible for movies such as Drugstore Cowboy, My Own Private Idaho, Good Will Hunting (for which he was nominated for an Oscar), Milk (which also got him an Oscar nomination for Best Director), and most recently Don’t Worry, He Won’t Get Far on Foot. His upcoming project, Killing Gawker, marks his return to directing since 2018.
Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter Charles Randolph Penned The Killing Gawker Script
In regard to transforming “Conspiracy” into “Killing Gawker”, it is Charles Randolph who will shoulder that responsibility, as reported by Deadline. A gifted screenwriter with an impressive resume, Randolph clinched a Best Adapted Screenplay Oscar for his work on “The Big Short”. This critically acclaimed film was based on Michael Lewis’ non-fiction book of the same name and starred many prominent actors, offering a humorous yet insightful portrayal of the 2007-2008 financial crisis.
Besides The Interview, Randolph has also starred in movies such as Bombshell, Love & Other Drugs, and The Life of David Gale.
Todd Phillips Has Been Planning Another Hulk Hogan Movie For Years
Apart from the movie focusing on Gawker’s demise, another Hulk Hogan film is under development. Todd Phillips has been intending to create a biographical movie about the legendary wrestler for quite some time. As reported by The Hollywood Reporter back in February 2019, Phillips was working on a Netflix biopic concerning the famous grappler, with Chris Hemsworth set to wear the red and yellow spandex as Hulk Hogan.
Despite years spent on the project, Hemsworth expressed some reservations during an interview with Screenrant in May 2024. He indicated he’d be open to working on it if given the go-ahead, but his participation is contingent upon receiving approval – essentially leaving us all in a wait-and-see situation.
In the forthcoming weeks and months, you’ll likely hear a lot more about the topic of “Taking Down Gawker”. However, if you’re looking for some action before then, there are several upcoming WWE wrestling events that could keep you entertained.
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2024-08-12 03:08