The planned biopic about the life of wrestling legend Hulk Hogan, starring Chris Hemsworth, garnered significant attention but ultimately never made it to the screen due to a series of unfortunate events.
The project was announced in 2019, with Todd Phillips, known for directing "Joker," at the helm. Chris Hemsworth was cast to play Hogan, a decision that Hogan himself supported, despite some concerns about Hemsworth's physique compared to the wrestling icon. Hemsworth expressed enthusiasm for the role, stating that he was prepared to undergo a significant physical transformation, even more than he had for his role as Thor, and dye his hair and mustache blond to match Hogan's signature look. Phillips described the film as "an origin story of the Hulkster and Hulkamania".
The film was set to be a Netflix production, with a script penned by Scott Silver, who also co-wrote "Joker". Hogan himself collaborated with Silver for three years on the script, which he described as "very, very dark" and potentially revealing of aspects of his life that the public might want to see. Hogan believed that Hemsworth could even win an Oscar for his portrayal.
However, the production faced several setbacks. The COVID-19 pandemic caused widespread delays across Hollywood in early 2020, impacting the film's progress. Then, in 2024, Todd Phillips confirmed that he had stepped away from the project. He stated, "I love what we were trying to do, but that's not going to come together for me".
Ultimately, the definitive reason for the film's cancellation appears to be a contractual issue with Netflix. Hogan revealed in a 2024 podcast that "They kind of missed a beat in the contract. There was a payment that wasn't placed at the right time". Despite Hogan's praise for the script and Hemsworth's commitment, the payment error led to the project being scrapped.
Despite the cancellation, some Hollywood insiders have suggested that the project might not be entirely dead. The combination of a strong script, Hemsworth's continued interest, and renewed attention following Hogan's recent death could potentially revive the film if the financial and legal hurdles can be overcome.
