The longtime collaborators may be tackling one of our oddest modern scandals: a Gawker movie.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon have done a lot together. Some of it fantastic (Good Will Hunting), some of it less so (pretty much any Super Bowl commercial in which they’ve both appeared). Now, it appears the DamFleck collab will get a new entry, with a less-than-savory subject matter.
Gawker and Hulk Hogan together again?
Think back to 2013 and the case of Bollea vs. Gawker: that’s the real name of Hulk Hogan (Terry Gene Bollea) vs. the prominent gossip site.
The case involved Hogan suing the website for posting bits of a sex tape of the wrestler with Heather Clem, wife of Bubba the Love Sponge without his knowledge or permission (ask your parents if you don't know who these people are). Evidently, Hogan didn’t even know the tape existed until Gawker’s posting.
It’s a case that ended with the court finding Gawker liable, the website filing for Chapter 11 bankruptcy in 2016, and settling with Hogan for $31 million. Good times, brother!
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon rumored to star
Well, yeah. Ben and Matt are turning this heartwarming tale into a motion picture, with Affleck potentially slated to play Hogan. Matt Damon would play PayPal founder and tech goblin, Peter Thiel.
Ben Affleck and Matt Damon are rumored to star as Hulk Hogan and Peter Thiel respectively in ‘KILLING GAWKER.’
— Film Updates (@FilmUpdates) August 3, 2024
It will tell the story of the lawsuit Hogan filed (funded by Thiel) against Gawker for publishing a sex tape he wasn't aware existed.
(https://t.co/9nFfforuf9) pic.twitter.com/1YkMaiOZ57
Early reports are that the film, entitled Killing Gawker, is based on the book Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker, and the Anatomy of Intrigue by Ryan Holiday.
However, the script is reportedly being written by Charles Randolph, no stranger to this sort of story, having previously written The Big Short and Bombshell.
Social media reacts to the news about a Gawker movie
A quick look around the internet reveals that it seems like not everyone’s super jazzed about this project, especially with Hogan very recently stumping for Donald Trump at the Republican National Convention.
Cool! A movie about Hulk Hogan’s legal battle against Gawker, said no one ever. https://t.co/EmvcnXApx0
— Disco Citizen (@jason_kincade) August 3, 2024
Because Ben Affleck is the first person I think of when I think "How far removed from Hulk Hogan can we get in every possible attribute."
— MarK Condon (マーク)☠️? (@BigShambowski) August 4, 2024
Honestly, if this makes Hogan look sympathetic knowing what we know about the tape, I'd rather watch Santa With Muscles on a 24 hour loop. https://t.co/EnM8aSOerC
Others are skeptical but curious.
I'm curious how they're gonna cover up or work around Ben Affleck's shitty back tattoo for him to portray Hulk Hogan. https://t.co/lDWCd3PzOj
— Jeven W. | Profile for Socials (@xSmootx) August 3, 2024
Then there are some out there, bless their hearts, who are downright enthusiastic about this film.
Imagine you're an actor & your credits include the following:
— Jesse West - Ghost Potato Studio (@MisterJayW) August 4, 2024
Daredevil
Batman
Hulk Hogan
Affleck is getting up there with Pedro Pascal & Oscar Isaac & I ain't mad about it. All he needs to do is join Star Wars & a big name video game adaptation & he would out rank them. https://t.co/rNhduA5ZvT
Affleck playing Hogan will be literal piss-pants comedy https://t.co/s2lKGTJU1M
— Ryan McKinnell (@RyanMcKinnell) August 3, 2024
But thankfully, the news has not caused the internet to stray from its sacred duty: memeing.
Exclusive photo of Ben Affleck's audition to play Hulk Hogan: https://t.co/3ZNtrFCz77 pic.twitter.com/TqOY50uA0C
— Vincent Verhei (@VincentVerhei) August 3, 2024
? Breaking ? First set photos of Ben Affleck starring as Hulk Hogan have been leaked: https://t.co/fu5GWLYewN pic.twitter.com/C7Zqcup724
— Prison Mitch (@Prisonmitch) August 3, 2024
Production on the film is set to begin in January 2025. Let the Affleck bulk-up watch commence!
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