HBO, WWE Producing Andre the Giant Documentary

There are plenty of legends who transcended professional wrestling from Bruno Sammartino to Ric Flair and Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson going from WWE champ to one of the biggest names in Hollywood. But few can match the legend, in life and in death, as André Roussimoff, also known as André the Giant. 

You may have known the “Eighth Wonder of the World” from his days wrestling, maybe you first saw him in The Princess Bride or possibly you’re familiar with him from Shepard Fairey’s famous “Andre the Giant has a Posse” stickers that helped launch the street artist to fame. But do you know the entire story of the man from Grenoble, France, who stood seven feet, four inches, who was friends with Samuel Beckett and was possibly the greatest drinking buddy in the world?

Now you can, thanks to WWE and HBO. The companies are teaming up to produce a documentary on the life and times of the wrestler, directed and produced by Jason Hehir, and Bill Simmons serving as executive producer. 

“For more than 20 years, Andre the Giant’s larger than life personality and unique charisma captured the imagination of fans around the world,” WWE Chairman & CEO Vince McMahon said in a statement. “I will always value our friendship, and am proud to tell the story of the ‘Eighth Wonder of the World’.”

HBO or WWE did not announce a date for the project, titled Andre the Giant, but the film will focus on his “upbringing in France, his celebrated career in WWE and his forays in the entertainment world,” including his movie career, famous Wrestlemania 3 match in 1987 against Hulk Hogan and death in 1993.