A biopic about Hulk Hogan, developed by Matt Damon and Ben Affleck, has officially been cancelled. However, contrary to online speculation, the decision was made before the wrestling legend's death on 24 July 2025. The film, titled Killing Gawker, was already inactive when Hogan passed away from cardiac arrest at the age of 71.
What Was Killing Gawker About?
The scrapped film Killing Gawker was set to chronicle Hulk Hogan's legal battle against Gawker Media, stemming from the publication of a sex tape in 2012. The wrestler, whose real name was Terry Bollea, filed a high-profile lawsuit that resulted in a $140 million verdict in his favour, effectively bankrupting the media outlet.
The film was to be based on Ryan Holiday's book Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker and the Anatomy of Intrigue. Charles Randolph, known for The Big Short, was brought on as the screenwriter, with Gus Van Sant reportedly attached to direct. Damon and Affleck's production company, Artists Equity, had been developing the project quietly since at least 2023.
Cancellation Timeline: Well Before Hogan's Passing
News of the cancellation surfaced in late July 2025, but sources confirmed that Killing Gawker had already been shelved months earlier. According to TMZ, the project had seen no active development, no casting announcements and no movement in production prior to Hogan's death.
Industry insiders confirmed that the film was 'no longer in active development' and that the decision had no connection to the wrestler's passing. The timing of the news release led to speculation online, but there is no evidence to suggest Damon or Affleck pulled the film in response to Hogan's death.
Online Confusion Over Hogan's Role
Despite renewed interest following Hogan's death, there is no indication that the late wrestler had any involvement in the Killing Gawker production. Unlike the separate Netflix biopic he was helping to develop, this project was more focused on the legal and media aspects of the Gawker case, rather than a traditional life story or wrestling biography.
The Killing Gawker cancellation follows a similar fate for another Hulk Hogan film, the long-anticipated Netflix biopic starring Chris Hemsworth. That project was first announced in 2019, with Joker director Todd Phillips attached and Hogan serving as a consultant and executive producer.
However, that biopic was ultimately scrapped after delays caused by the COVID-19 pandemic and a failure by Netflix to meet contractual obligations. Director Todd Phillips said in an interview with Variety, 'I love what we were trying to do, but that's not going to come together for me'.
No New Hulk Hogan Film Projects Confirmed
As of July 2025, there are no confirmed plans for a new Hulk Hogan movie. While fan interest has surged following his death, neither the Damon-Affleck legal drama nor the Netflix-backed Hemsworth biopic will reach the screen.
Despite the cancellations, Hogan's legacy, from professional wrestling to pop culture lawsuits, remains a topic of interest among producers and audiences. Whether a future studio picks up his story remains to be seen.
