By Jason Powell, ProWrestling.net Editor (@prowrestlingnet)
Chris Hemsworth will portray Hulk Hogan in a biopic co-written by Scott Silver and John Pollono. The film will be directed by Todd Phillips and Hogan will serve as a consultant and executive producer. HollywoodReporter.com reports that the film will focus on Hogan’s origin story rather than his controversial life after pro wrestling.
Powell’s POV: Actor Bradley Cooper and Eric Bischoff are listed as a producers for the film, and the story states that the project is likely to air on Netflix. Hemsworth has done a fine job as the star of the Thor films. I’m a big fan of Phillips’ comedies such as Old School, The Hangover films, and Borat. That said, it will be interesting to see if there’s any backlash over the film only focusing on Hogan’s glory years rather than his fall from grace following the racist statements he made during a recorded jailhouse conversation with his son and in the infamous sex tape with Heather Clem.
Check below for the new Pro Wrestling Boom Podcast with Jason Powell and former WWE Smackdown lead writer Alex Greenfield discussing the NXT call-ups, Stephanie McMahon’s past contributions to WWE creative, the growth of MLW, and much more.
So would you be happier if the movie focused on 2 statements made after his fame? I think his career is far more film-worthy than a couple of statements he made. If you don’t want to like him anymore based on those statements, that’s your right. But his life was far more than just a couple of controversial statements.
Seems like you’re being a bit confrontational about this when I simply acknowledged the obvious by questioning whether there would be backlash over this film given those comments. I didn’t criticize the approach they are taking or Hogan in this POV.
You are right, I probably was and shouldn’t have been. I apologize for that. I guess I am still angered by the fact that a couple of statements made in private has turned this man that done a lot of good for people of all races into a such a real life villain. He shouldn’t have said it, but it also shouldn’t erase everything good he has done in his life up to that point either.
Especially in the light of Steve Austin basically getting a pass on hitting his wife but Hogan getting castrated because of the albeit stupid remarks he made in private.
I wonder if its because wrestling media types are friendly with Austin.
I wonder how this film is being financed? With Hogan now a multi-multi-millionaire after shutting down Gawker is he using some of this wealth to put a more positive spotlight on himself?
Pretty sure any money the Hulkster gets is split between his ex-wife and that kid Nick turned into a vegetable a few years back.