Chris Hemsworth is not shy. Never one to mince words, he didn’t hold back recently when speaking on his dissatisfaction with his famed role of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The 40-year-old actor has played the Marvel favorite Thor Odinson, son of Odin and brother of Loki (Tom Hiddleston) for over a decade, shining brilliantly as one of Earth’s mightiest heroes in 9 appearances, including the instrumental role he played in Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and End Game (2019).
Chirs Hemsworth, actual brother Liam Hemsworth, has played Thor alongside some of the Marvel greats, including Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark/ Iron Man and Chris Evans as Steve Rogers. Although extremely serious when first introduced to the MCU in 2011, Thor’s metamorphosis into a god-like hero for the ages didn’t just stop there.
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Along with the forethought to not bleach his eyebrows in future MCU projects, directors like Taika Waititi took Thor to an entirely different level, breaking away from his stoic appearance during his MCU infancy.
Unlike in 2011, the current version of Thor, as seen in 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder and Thor: Ragnarok (2017), is more of a comedic presence in the MCU. This is why his character messed rather well with the Guardians of the Galaxy.
However, it seems that Chris Hemsworth, one of the few remaining MCU stars, isn’t happy with the evolution of his most famous role to date (arguably). In a recent with Vanity Fair, in which he spoke about his upcoming role in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga, Hemsworth didn’t hold any punches when discussing his role as Thor.
Citing jealousy related to comparing his role to other heroes of the MCU on the set of Avengers films, the Dark World (2013) star let it be known that he was not satisfied with the evolution of Asgard’s favorite son.
“Sometimes I felt like a security guard for the team. I would read everyone else’s lines, and go, Oh, they got way cooler stuff. They’re having more fun. What’s my character doing?”
He went on to explain that in his most recent MCU feature film, Thor: Love and Thunder, he felt as if he had become a parody of himself.
“I got caught up in the improv and the wackiness, and I became a parody of myself,” he said. “I didn’t stick the landing. You’re sort of just running on fumes, then you’re showing up to something with little in the tank, and you start picking things apart: Why am I doing this film? Why isn’t this script better?”
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Although Chris Hemsworth might’ve felt that his Thor character was losing himself compared to other Avengers played by the likes of Jeremy Renner, Mark Ruffalo, and even Natalie Portman, it’s tough to deny that Thor did plenty for his launch to superstardom.
Since his time in the MCU, Hemsworth, who is also the brother of Luke Hemsworth, has seen several staring roles, including the lead in the popular Netflix series Extraction (2020) and Extraction 2 (2023), Red Dawn (2012), and 12 Strong (2018).
Although his career is very successful, his role as Thor is ultimately his legacy, with Matt Damon performing a cameo of the popular Chris Hemsworth character twice. Given the gravity of Thor and who he became during the Infinity Saga, it’s very understandable how Hemsworth must feel, especially considering the current unhappiness from fans with Marvel Studios.
Although a funny guy in general, Hemsworth, much like Brad Pitt, Dwayne Johnson, and Jason Statham, he’s often looked to as an action movie guy. Although Hemsworth is great in that sense, he’s a much more diverse actor, and this isn’t the first time he’s had qualms with how his role as Thor was portrayed post-Thanos in the MCU.
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For this reason, Chris Hemsworth also voiced major concern over what Business Insider would call his “legacy-making roles” in Hollywood.
“Why didn’t that director call me for that, or why didn’t I get considered for this role? Why don’t I get the call-up from Scorsese or Tarantino? I had begun to take it all too serious and too personal.”
Still, Chris Hemsworth remains known for his iconic portrayal of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). However, he could face an uncertain future within this expansive film franchise. As the god of thunder, Hemsworth brought charisma and depth to the character, captivating audiences worldwide.
However, with the conclusion of Avengers: Endgame (2019) and the departure of other key Avengers like Robert Downey Jr.’s Iron Man and Chris Evans’ Captain America, Hemsworth’s future as Thor remains unknown.
Fans have speculated about Thor’s direction in upcoming MCU phases. Hemsworth’s dynamic performance in Thor: Ragnarok (2017), directed by Taika Waititi, revitalized the character, leading to increased popularity and critical acclaim. The character’s journey in this film, along with the introduction of Tessa Thompson’s Valkyrie, hinted at a fresh narrative trajectory for Thor.
Moreover, the events of Avengers: Infinity War (2018) and Avengers: Endgame (2019) showcased Thor’s resilience and growth, setting the stage for new storylines. The potential involvement of Thor in films like Thor: Love and Thunder (2022) and Guardians of the Galaxy Vol. 3 (2023) sparks curiosity among fans about Hemsworth’s continued presence in the MCU.
Despite the uncertainty surrounding Hemsworth’s future in the MCU, his dedication to the role and the character’s evolution over the years leave room for optimism. Whether Thor embarks on solo adventures or collaborates with fellow Marvel heroes, Hemsworth’s charismatic portrayal ensures that the god of thunder will remain a beloved and crucial figure in the ever-expanding Marvel universe.