EXCLUSIVEBen Affleck and Matt Damon are not afraid of Hulk Hogan taking legal action over sex tape scandal film - as insiders reveal why they are refusing to contact wrestling legend
- Damon, 53, and Affleck, 51, have acquired a screenplay – Killing Gawker
- They are not contacting Hogan as they 'don't want to be manipulated in any way'
- READ MORE: Hulk Hogan's warning to Ben Affleck and Matt Damon over sex tape film - as sources say he 'will not hesitate to pursue legal options'
Hulk Hogan would be happy to work with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on their new film about his sex tape scandal, but the Hollywood heavyweights are avoiding any contact so as not to disrupt their ‘vision.’
Last week, it was reported that Damon, 53, and Affleck, 51, have acquired a screenplay – Killing Gawker – about Hogan's infamous legal battle against the now-defunct American blog Gawker, in which Affleck is also rumored to be playing the pro-wrestling legend.
TMZ claimed Hogan, 71, was indifferent to the news and that he will not hesitate to launch legal action against the duo if his privacy is violated in the upcoming film.
Now, insiders have told DailyMail.com that Affleck and Damon – who own production company Artists Equity – are ‘not afraid of any legal ramifications’ and will not be contacting Hogan or anyone else who was involved in the scandal.
‘There are no plans for Ben and Matt to reach out to Hulk Hogan right now as they are still trying to finalize filming dates, put together the rest of the cast and sort all pre-production,’ they said.
Hulk Hogan would happily work with Ben Affleck and Matt Damon on their new film about his sex tape scandal, but they are avoiding contact so as not to disrupt their ‘vision’
Damon, 53, and Affleck, 51, have acquired a screenplay – Killing Gawker – about Hogan's infamous legal battle against American blog Gawker
‘They have a vision and a script, and they don't want to contact Hogan or anyone who is a part of the story as they don't want to be manipulated in any way. They are going to let the facts do the talking and tell the story they have put together.’
They continued: ‘Hogan understands this isn't a documentary, but if Ben and the gang want to talk to him for any advice, Hogan is willing to chat with Ben or anyone that ends up playing him on film.
‘Ben and Matt and Gus Van Sant [director] are confident that they will be able to tell this story the way they want it.’
They finished: ‘They are not afraid for any legal ramifications to come from it because if you tell a story that is the truth, there is absolutely nothing to worry about.’
In April 2012, a sex tape featuring Hogan, real name Terry Bollea, having sex with his friend Bubba the Love Sponge’s then-wife Heather Clem leaked online.
The WWE wrestler filed two civil lawsuits in Florida, one against Bubba and Clem for invasion of privacy and another against Gawker Media for posting and then refusing to remove a clip of the X-rated footage on its website.
In March 2016, a Pinellas County, Florida jury ordered Gawker to pay $141million in damages.
Gawker argued that its footage was newsworthy and protected by the First Amendment.
Affleck and Damon are ‘not afraid of any legal ramifications’ should Hogan try to sue. Pro-wrestler pictured testifying during the Gawker trial back in 2016
Bubba the Love Sponge, whose then-wife Heather Clem (pictured in 2009) had sex with Hogan on the tape, has not been approached by Affleck or Damon but is willing to collaborate
Silicon Valley billionaire Peter Thiel bankrolled Hogan's lawsuit against Gawker, raising concerns about the power of the wealthy against the media. Only after Hogan won the jury verdict did Thiel's role come to light.
Gawker settled with Hulk for $31 million, ending a four year long fight that led to the media company's bankruptcy, the shutdown of Gawker.com and the sale of Gawker's other sites to Spanish-language broadcaster Univision.
The screenplay, written by Charles Randolph, is based on Ryan Holiday’s 2018 book Conspiracy: Peter Thiel, Hulk Hogan, Gawker And The Anatomy Of Intrigue.
According to TMZ, Bubba, real name Todd Alan Clem, has not been approached by Affleck or Damon but is willing to collaborate.
A representative for the ‘shock jock’ said he wants the film to make it clear the sex tape was stolen and he didn't leak it.
Hogan is 'willing to chat with Ben or anyone that ends up playing him on film,' sources had told DailyMail.com (pictured with his wife Sky Daily)
He is reportedly keen for Jonah Hill to play him in the movie, or Matty Matheson from The Bear.
Affleck and Damon's Artists’ Equity has experience when it comes to biopics having previously produced Air, which followed the story of sporting legend Michael Jordan’s historic shoe deal with Nike.
The duo have produced ten films to date under the banner, including The Greatest Love Story Never Told – Jennifer Lopez’s film about her life and relationship with Affleck.
Another Hogan biopic is also in the pipeline with Chris Hemsworth set to portray the all-American wrestler who became a household name in the 1980s.
Hogan serves as a producer on the upcoming Netflix production which will see Todd Phillips direct.
