Ben Affleck Could Portray Hulk Hogan in New ‘Killing Gawker’ Biopic

WWE Hall of Famer Hulk Hogan’s contributions to the world of professional wrestling need no introductions, as he is truly larger than life. With that said, there are talks of Ben Affleck possibly portraying the role of Hogan in a new biopic called ‘Killing Gawker.’

In case you need a refresher, Hulk Hogan’s legal battle with Gawker began in 2013, when Hogan filed a lawsuit against the media outlet for publishing parts of his private tape. This legal action was taken three years before the case was resolved. Hogan’s lawsuit targeted Gawker, several of its employees, and its affiliates.

The tape in question also included racist remarks made by Hogan, which led to WWE severing ties with him. Ultimately, the jury ruled in Hogan’s favor, holding Gawker liable and awarding him over $120 million in damages.

PWInsider reports that a screenplay based on the Hulk Hogan vs. Gawker court case, titled Killing Gawker, is gaining significant traction in Hollywood. The film is being set up with Matt Damon and Ben Affleck’s Artist Equity, with plans for a production launch in January 2025.

There is speculation that if the project moves forward, Ben Affleck might play Hulk Hogan, while Matt Damon could portray Peter Thiel. This comes amidst news that a Netflix biopic about Hulk Hogan starring Chris Hemsworth has stalled, potentially making Affleck’s portrayal of Hogan the first to hit the screen.

The screenplay for Killing Gawker is written by Charles Randolph, who won an Academy Award in 2016 for Best Adapted Screenplay for The Big Short. Randolph’s script is based on the February 2018 book Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue by Ryan Holiday.

The book details Hogan’s lawsuit against Gawker for publishing a sex tape that was secretly filmed by former friend Bubba the Love Sponge. Thiel, the former CEO of PayPal, secretly funded Hogan’s lawsuit to damage Gawker, which had previously published negative stories about him. Hogan won a substantial judgment, leading to Gawker’s closure.

We’ll have to wait and see if the biopic comes to fruition, but the prospect of Ben Affleck playing Hulk Hogan certainly intrigues many fans for good reason.

What do you think of Ben Affleck potentially portraying the role of Hulk Hogan in the upcoming biopic? Sound off in the comments section below!