Well, folks, it looks like Chris Hemsworth won’t be ripping his shirt off and strutting down the aisle as the legendary Hulk Hogan anytime soon. That’s right, the much-anticipated Hogan biopic that had fans screaming “Brother!” louder than a WrestleMania crowd seems to have been bodyslammed into the mat of movie purgatory.
Director Todd Phillips, the mastermind behind “Joker,” has officially tapped out from the project. In a candid interview, Phillips admitted, “I love what we were trying to do, but that’s not going to come together for me.” In wrestling terms, that’s like saying, “I tried to book the main event, but the ring just isn’t set up right.” With Phillips out, the chances of another director stepping in are about as likely as Hulk Hogan not dropping a leg on his opponent in the ’80s—highly unlikely, my friends.
Meanwhile, Hemsworth, who was set to don the bandana and handlebar mustache, has been coy about the whole thing. In 2022, he offered a lukewarm, “Is this thing still happening?” before backpedaling faster than a wrestler avoiding a surprise suplex. And earlier this year, he danced around questions like Hogan dodging a bad promo, admitting the project hadn’t been given the official “green light.” Talk about a no-sell, brother.
Even Hulk Hogan himself, who at one point seemed ready to get this show on the road, acknowledged last year that a “business glitch” had thrown a wrench into the gears. The Hulkster hinted that Netflix was still trying to get the project back on its feet, but it seems the only thing back on track is Hogan’s focus on his other business ventures—maybe launching another energy drink or something.
The film was supposed to cover Hogan’s early days—the rise of “Hulkamania,” his legendary feuds, and even the backstage politics that would make a soap opera blush. Fans were eager to see Hemsworth transform into the wrestling icon, with muscles so big you could almost hear them say, “Whatcha gonna do when Chris-mania runs wild on you?” Alas, it seems we’ll have to settle for old clips of Hogan’s glory days on YouTube.
But wait, there’s more! Even though Hemsworth’s Hogan flick has been bodyslammed, another project has emerged from the shadows. “Killing Gawker,” a film focusing on Hogan’s legal battle with the notorious media outlet, is reportedly in the works. Rumor has it Ben Affleck could step into the ring as Hogan, with Matt Damon possibly playing billionaire Peter Thiel, who funded the lawsuit. No word yet on whether Affleck can perfect the Hogan leg drop, but we’re pretty sure the Boston accent is going to need some work.
So, wrestling fans, it seems that while Hemsworth’s Hogan biopic might be down for the count, the Hulkster’s story isn’t entirely out of the ring. Whether it’s in the squared circle or the courtroom, there’s always another match to be had. Keep your eyes peeled—because as we’ve learned, in the world of wrestling, and Hollywood, anything can happen.