The long-anticipated Hulk Hogan biopic, which was set to star Chris Hemsworth as the wrestling icon, has officially been scrapped. This news comes directly from Todd Phillips, the acclaimed director of Joker, who was set to helm the project. Phillips confirmed the disappointing update in a recent interview with Variety, expressing his regret over the situation. “I love what we were trying to do, but that’s not going to come together for me,” he stated, effectively putting an end to the hopes of many wrestling and movie fans alike.
The Project That Never Was
The Hulk Hogan biopic had been in development for several years, with Hemsworth signing on to play the legendary wrestler back in 2019. The project generated considerable buzz, particularly due to the involvement of Phillips and Joker writer Scott Silver. The film was intended to explore Hulk Hogan’s meteoric rise to fame in the 1980s, a time when he became a household name and a cultural icon. Rather than delving into the controversies that later surrounded Hogan, the script was set to focus on the early years of his career, from his WWF World Heavyweight Championship victory over the Iron Sheik in 1984 to the peak of Hulkamania.
Chris Hemsworth, best known for his role as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, had expressed great enthusiasm for the project. In a 2020 interview with Total Film, Hemsworth described the intense physical preparation required for the role, stating, “As you can imagine, the preparation for the role will be insanely physical. I will have to put on more size than I ever have before, even more than I put on for Thor. There is the accent as well as the physicality and the attitude.” Hemsworth’s commitment to the role was evident, and fans eagerly anticipated seeing the Australian actor transform into the wrestling legend.
However, the project hit a significant roadblock in October 2023 when Hogan himself revealed on the Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast that Netflix, which had initially been involved in the project, had withdrawn due to a “business glitch.” Hogan explained that this development caused him to reconsider his involvement, ultimately leading to the project’s demise. Despite this setback, Hogan hinted that there might still be a future for the biopic, saying, “My life rights and stuff are somewhere else now. Hopefully, Todd Phillips and Chris Hemsworth will still want to play. There’s still a huge opportunity there.”
The Legacy of Hulk Hogan
Hulk Hogan, born Terry Gene Bollea on August 11, 1953, in Augusta, Georgia, is one of the most recognizable figures in the world of professional wrestling. He began his wrestling career in the late 1970s, but it wasn’t until the 1980s that he truly became a global superstar. Hogan’s larger-than-life persona, coupled with his charisma and physical prowess, made him the face of the World Wrestling Federation (WWF, now WWE) during the company’s Golden Era.
Hogan’s most significant moment came in 1984 when he defeated the Iron Sheik to win the WWF World Heavyweight Championship. This victory marked the beginning of the Hulkamania phenomenon, a period during which Hogan became a cultural icon, appearing in movies, TV shows, and even launching his own line of merchandise. His catchphrases, such as “Whatcha gonna do when Hulkamania runs wild on you?” became part of the pop culture lexicon.
Throughout the 1980s and early 1990s, Hogan was the WWF’s top draw, headlining numerous WrestleMania events and becoming a hero to millions of fans worldwide. His feuds with other wrestling legends like Andre the Giant, Randy “Macho Man” Savage, and The Ultimate Warrior are still remembered as some of the greatest rivalries in wrestling history.
However, Hogan’s career was not without controversy. In the 1990s, he made a surprising turn to the dark side by joining the New World Order (nWo) faction in World Championship Wrestling (WCW), a move that shocked fans and revitalized his career. This heel turn, where he became “Hollywood” Hulk Hogan, showcased his versatility as a performer and kept him at the forefront of the wrestling world.
In recent years, Hogan’s legacy has been marred by various scandals, including a highly publicized legal battle with Gawker Media over a leaked sex tape, which led to the company’s bankruptcy. Despite these issues, Hogan remains a beloved figure among wrestling fans, and his contributions to the sport are undeniable.
The Future of Hulk Hogan on the Big Screen
While the Phillips-Hemsworth biopic is no longer moving forward, there is still hope that Hulk Hogan’s story will eventually be told on the big screen. Another Hogan-centric project, titled Killing Gawker, is currently in development by Ben Affleck and Matt Damon’s Artists Equity. This film will focus on Hogan’s legal battle against Gawker Media, a pivotal moment in his life that had far-reaching implications for privacy and media rights.
As for the Phillips-Hemsworth project, it remains a “what could have been” in the annals of Hollywood. Fans of Hulk Hogan and Chris Hemsworth will undoubtedly be disappointed by this news, but the legacy of the Hulkster lives on, both in the ring and in popular culture. Whether or not another filmmaker will take up the challenge of bringing Hogan’s story to life remains to be seen, but one thing is certain: Hulkamania will never truly die.
Also Read: ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ Anime Trailer Hints at an Epic Journey
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