You can’t make an omelet without breaking a few eggs, but in the world of filmmaking, sometimes those eggs never get cracked at all. The much-anticipated biopic about retired professional wrestler Hulk Hogan, featuring Chris Hemsworth, seemed set for success. With a talented lineup of writers and producers, fans were eager to see how the story of this iconic wrestler would come to life on screen. Unfortunately, in a disappointing twist, the project has been permanently shelved.
MCU’s Thor, Hemsworth, had been bulking up to embody the wrestling legend, and excitement was evident. During a recent episode of the PBD Podcast, Hogan, 71, lamented the loss of the project, claiming that it had the potential to be an Oscar contender.
Hulk Hogan Reveals Oscar Potential of His Canceled Biopic
They say anticipation is half the thrill, but in the case of the Chris Hemsworth-led biopic about Hulk Hogan, it seems that thrill has come to a grinding halt. Announced with much fanfare in 2019, this project had wrestling fans eagerly anticipating the outcome.
Yet, the film is officially off the table, and Hogan himself has shed light on the reasons behind this unfortunate decision. On a recent episode of the PBD Podcast, he shared his excitement about the project, revealing that he felt the script had Oscar potential.
“I thought, ‘Oh my God, this is really good,’” he recalled, explaining how he spent three years working closely with the writer, discussing the highs and lows of wrestling. While the script had its dark moments—“very, very dark, if that would be the right word”—Hogan believed it captured the raw essence of his journey. He further mused:
If this thing comes out… there was talk that Chris Hemsworth had never played a real person before and he would probably win an Oscar.
But amid the optimism, a cloud loomed. Hogan pulled out of the project when Netflix fell behind on payments; he felt if the film was released, it could define his legacy.
I said, ‘Oh, that’s great. Everybody’s going to do really great, but then I’m going to be left here, cheese stands alone, and that might be the last thing people remember me for.’
This project had all the right ingredients: Todd Phillips directing, Scott Silver and John Pollono writing, and producers like Michael Sugar, Bradley Cooper, and even Eric Bischoff involved (see CBR). But as is often the case in Hollywood, not everything went according to plan.
Todd Phillips Confirmed Cancellation of The Hulk Hogan Biopic
In an August 2024 interview with Variety, Joker director Todd Phillips shared the disappointing news, stating:
I love what we were trying to do, but that’s not going to come together for me.
Chris Hemsworth was excited to step into the role of the wrestling champion. Known for his portrayal of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, he was deeply invested in the physicality of the role, committing to a rigorous training regimen.
He described the preparation as “insanely physical”, emphasizing that he would need to bulk up even more than for his superhero role (via IGN). “This movie is going to be a really fun project,” he had said, looking forward to capturing Hogan’s essence, both in voice and demeanor.
The actor, 41, also mentioned:
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.
Despite the setbacks, Hulk Hogan hinted at the possibility of collaboration with Phillips and Hemsworth in the future (via Insight with Chris Van Vliet podcast):
Hopefully, Todd Phillips and Chris Hemsworth will still want to play. There’s still a huge opportunity there.
The cancellation of the Hulk Hogan biopic is a bittersweet moment for fans and for Hogan himself. It had the potential to be a defining film not just for the legendary wrestler but also for Hemsworth, who was ready to step into the role.
