- Wim Hof biopic put on hold amid abuse allegations
- Ex-partner Caroline accuses Hof of physical, sexual, verbal abuse
- Hof denies allegations, files defamation complaint
A biopic about the life of extreme athlete Wim Hof, known as the ‘Iceman,’ has been put on hold following serious allegations made by his former partner, Caroline, in a Dutch newspaper. Actor Joseph Fiennes was set to portray Hof, who is known for advocating cold exposure and extreme endurance techniques.
Development of the film, which had not yet entered production, has been paused after Caroline accused Hof of physical, sexual, and verbal abuse during their decade-long relationship. Hof has vehemently denied these allegations and announced that he is pursuing legal action against the Dutch publication, de Volkskrant, which first reported the claims.
A spokesperson for Genesius Pictures stated, “Genesius Pictures can confirm that due to the severity of the allegations, this production, which was in development only and had not begun filming, is on hold.”
In addition to Caroline’s allegations, their son Noah, now 21, and her two children from a previous relationship have also claimed instances of verbal abuse. One of Hof’s step-sons, Christiaan, accused him of physical harm.
In response to 44 questions posed by de Volkskrant, Hof denied ever being violent. “It is obvious that she [Caroline] is on the warpath and now wants to make everything look different from how it was,” he wrote. He also stated, “Caroline always knew how to get under my skin,” and called the sexual assault allegations “all lies.”
De Volkskrant reported that its findings are supported by various documents, including court, medical, and child welfare records.
In a statement to BBC News, Hof’s eldest son Enahm—whose mother was Hof’s late first wife Olaya—expressed that he and his siblings “do not recognise or identify with” the version of events presented in the newspaper’s “negative stories.” The statement emphasized that these accounts focused on “a particularly difficult period in Wim’s life” and described the stories as “painful and unbalanced.” Enahm noted that Hof and he were “working to ensure that the full truth is shared, offering a more comprehensive perspective.”
Hof’s son confirmed that his father has filed a defamation complaint and plans to take legal action against the newspaper.
Wim Hof is renowned for his extreme athleticism and claims that his breathing techniques and cold exposure can help reduce inflammation and improve health. In 2022, a BBC One series titled Freeze the Fear with Wim Hof, hosted by Holly Willoughby and Lee Mack, featured eight celebrities trained by Hof to undertake challenges in sub-zero temperatures.
