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The Hollywood Reporter broke the news this afternoon that a feature film on WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan is in the works, to be Directed by Todd Phillips (currently working on a Joker film based on the DC Comics iconic villain) with Chris Hemsworth, best known as Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, set to play the former WWE Champion.
Hulk Hogan is on board officially as a consultant on the film as well as an Executive Producer, according to THR. The film will focus on the origins and rise of Hulkamania and will not focus on the scandals or tragedy of Hogan's later years. Netflix will be involved. Bradley Cooper, who had been offered the role of Vince McMahon in the still-evolving WWE Studios film Pandemonium, is attached to produce the Hogan film. Eric Bischoff is also on board as a producer.
Hulk Hogan was the original WWE (WWF at the time) superhero, empowering the company during its initial national expansion in the mid-1980s, headlining the first nine Wrestlemanias in the process. One of the most famous personalities in the history of pro wrestling, Hogan’s popularity at its zenith led to appearances in major films and a hosting gig on Saturday Night Live. He was easily the most recognizable figure in the history of pro wrestling globally, at least until the advent of The Rock in Hollywood. Even today, someone with only the barest of pro wrestling knowledge would immediately recognize Hogan.
Although Hogan had left WWE at different points and even led World Championship Wrestling against it during the Monday Night War of the mid-1990s, he will be forever remembered as the star who lit the torch of the golden era of the then-WWF in the 1980s. His popularity, sparked by an appearance in Sylvester Stallone’s Rocky III as well as Hogan’s own unique charisma, helped create the Rock N’ Wrestling Connection after WWF poached him from Verne Gagne’s AWA in Minnesota. A WWF-MTV partnership helped bring pro wrestling mainstream, with Hogan as one of the central figures alongside Mr. T, Cyndi Lauper, Roddy Piper, Lou Albano, Wendi Richter and The Fabulous Moolah.
Most of the iconic moments that crystallized professional wrestling for many fans revolve around Hogan. Teaming with Mr. T. Feuding with Roddy Piper. Saturday Night’s Main Event. A steel cage match with King Kong Bundy at Wrestlemania 2. Bodyslamming Andre the Giant at Wrestlemania III. The Mega-Powers handshake with Randy Savage. The Mega-Powers exploding. The Ultimate Showdown with The Ultimate Warrior. Training. Prayers. Vitamins. Hogan, for many fans who grew up in that era, remains the very definition of pro wrestling itself.
The Hulk Hogan biopic will be written by John Pollono (Stronger) and Scott Silver (The Joker).
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