Chris Hemsworth has become synonymous with the God of Thunder ever since he first wielded Mjölnir in Thor (2011). Over the years, he’s reprised the role across multiple MCU films, including Thor: Love and Thunder and the Avengers series. As one of the few remaining original Avengers, Hemsworth is set to return in the upcoming Avengers movie.
In an early interview with Interview Magazine back in 2011, Hemsworth opened up about the rare experience of watching himself on the big screen without discomfort. Reflecting on Thor, he shared:
“I just recently saw a close-to-finished version of Thor. I was impressed. It is often difficult to watch yourself onscreen, especially 60-feet high. As an actor, it is an uncomfortable experience. But this is one of the first times I was able to get lost in it as an audience member. There were so many impressive elements—from the special effects to the story to the individual characters. I really had a great time.”
Chris Hemsworth on Superhero Movies and the Shakespearean Heart of Thor
chris hemsworth is just naturally cute, he’s just being himself, he’s not EVEN trying pic.twitter.com/HiKhYmj6Vp
— dee 🦭 (@deeadite) January 2, 2019
Despite Thor receiving a more modest critical reception than other MCU origin films—with a 77% rating on Rotten Tomatoes—it served as a solid introduction to Hemsworth’s take on the iconic Asgardian.
In the same interview, Hemsworth elaborated on the unique challenges of working in the superhero genre and praised director Kenneth Branagh’s vision:
“You have these colorful and vivid worlds and they can either be amazingly entertaining or come across campy. Every superhero film has that challenge. Having someone like Kenneth Branagh direct was a smart way to avoid any campiness. He really is an actor-director and comes from a Shakespearean background.”
He continued, highlighting how Branagh’s influence elevated the production:
“Absolutely. We had as much discussion and focus and collaboration as you would on a Shakespearean production. It wasn’t just a film about special effects. It was about great character development. That is what makes this special. I am incredibly lucky to work with those involved.”
He also noted how Branagh’s involvement played a part in attracting co-star Natalie Portman to the film:
“I think the attraction for Natalie to a film like this was Kenneth Branagh’s involvement. At that time in my life, I wasn’t in a position to pick and choose who I wanted to work with. I just needed to pay the rent, and I was excited to be involved with something on this scale… This is by far the biggest thing I have ever been involved in.”
Chris Hemsworth in Hossegor, France.
📸 — chrishemsworth on Instagram. pic.twitter.com/aLZfpiEe92
— Chris Hemsworth News (@hemsnews) June 17, 2025
Looking Ahead: Hemsworth’s Expanding Filmography
Since his breakout as Thor, Chris Hemsworth has established himself as one of the most prominent actors in Hollywood. Most recently, he lent his voice to Transformers One and will soon appear in upcoming titles such as Crime 101 and Stuntnuts: The Movie. His ability to balance charm, physicality, and dramatic depth continues to make him a fan favorite across genres.
