Hulkamania is about to go running wild, brother. He might have “The Joker” to contend with, but director Todd Phillips (“The Hangover” trilogy) is already looking towards the future. And so is Aussie actor Chris Hemsworth, who is expected to hang up the Thor hammer/new ax this spring once “Avengers: Endgame” hits theaters. The two are joining tag team forces to make a biopic of the life of iconic American wrestler Hulk Hogan with Hemsworth in the lead role for, who else, Netflix.
Scott Silver will be scripting the project, and he just wrote “The Joker” for Phillips and DC Films, so apparently, that collaboration worked well (despite the fact that some of “The Joker” cast said the movie was entirely rewritten during production). Producing is Michael Sugar, the Academy Award winner behind “Spotlight,” who will produce via his Netflix-based Sugar23 shingle. Phillips and Bradley Cooper will also co-produce via their banner, Joint Effort as will Hemsworth and Eric Bischoff.
Some details have arrived, and not the entire lifespan of Hogan’s career will be followed. Instead, sources say the movie will focus on Hogan’s rise and is described as an origin story of the Hulkster and Hulkamania.
But Hulk Hogan, né Terry Gene Bollea, is still the greatest wrestling star the world has ever known. He gave rise to the World Wrestling Federation (which became the WWE) in the 1990s and instantly became a global superstar and pop culture phenomenon that bled into MTV and the world of music. Hogan became so popular he was included in “Rocky III” at the height of a popularity that was dubbed “Hulkamania.” Hogan was easily one of the most recognizable faces and names of the 1980s who defined that Me Decade era.
Though other wrestling superstars took over, his presence throughout the ’90s was still felt as well. As THR, who breaks this news, aptly points out, things changed later on: “In the 21st century, however, Hogan’s fortunes were see-sawing as personal conflicts overtook those inside the ring. Most notably, he was embroiled in a sex tape scandal, with the wife of a friend and radio personality, including a years-long lawsuit that precipitated the end of Gawker and led to Hogan receiving tens of millions of dollars in a settlement.”
That era won’t be included in the doc, however. Phillips has been transitioning from comedy director to someone more dramatic and serious in recent years. He’s worked closely with Martin Scorsese who almost produced a few of his films that never came to pass (like the remake of “The Gambler” that Rupert Wyatt went on to make). He did “War Dogs” and has the “The Joker” coming up with Joaquin Phoenix. While they are more dramatic efforts, “War Dogs” didn’t lose its comedic edge, and the supervillain story is expected to have dark laughs. Hogan’s surreal tale of going from struggling wrestler to pop culture figure who took over your TV and breakfast cereals in the ’80s seems destined to fit into that comedic drama sweet spot. [THR]