We’re only now beginning to learn about the struggles Chris Hemsworth went through in finding his cinematic identity. His acting career was not handed to him on a silver platter, and it took time for him to find what kind of roles he wanted. We’ve even found out he dealt with crippling anxiety in his early days while in auditions for coveted roles.
Ultimately, his first role Americans saw him in after moving here from Australia was playing Captain Kirk’s father, George, in the initial Star Trek reboot. While that character was killed off, it was expected he’d return in an upcoming sequel.
Hemsworth recently nixed the idea for one specific reason, giving his fans a subtle guide on where he plans to go as an actor.
Hemsworth is now aiming higher for better roles…and paychecks
The main reason behind Hemsworth turning down a reprisal of George Kirk is he simply didn’t like the script he read. Also, with his asking price now up into the stratosphere, the producers of Star Trek 4 wouldn’t be able to afford him anyway.
One can argue the role of George Kirk was already a bit of a throwaway, despite playing an emotional part in the beginning of the new reboot saga. It’s too bad he wasn’t given more time to flesh out the character of George. Let’s not forget it did set Hemsworth’s career in motion, leading him to land Thor a year later.
Of course, some Star Trek fans might take offense to him turning down the role when it’s what helped introduce him to American audiences. It broaches a question whether an actor should feel obligated to return to a role that helped them find stardom.
With Hemsworth expected to take a break from making movies for a year, he has some time to ruminate on this himself.
Has Hemsworth earned the right to be selective in his roles?
You can argue Hemsworth does have some say now on what kind of roles he wants to play after proving himself a bankable actor. Then again, some might argue Thor was his real calling card and that he might backfire on any other role.
Some might point to the evidence of Men in Black: International performing poorly at the box office and gaining negative reviews as an example. He could also be facing the Thor typecasting problem, outside his clear fight to rally against such a thing.
With only one other film coming out before his brief hiatus (Dhaka), speculation will likely start on whether Hemsworth should try to find another franchise to attach himself to so he doesn’t find his career in any future jeopardy.
Also, with the public having shorter memories, taking time away from movies may have to mean a big-screen reinvention in a couple of years.
Let’s hope Hemsworth doesn’t have to return to Thor to keep his career soaring
Even though Hemsworth broke all norms on superheroes by later playing Thor with a pot belly and a huge beard, it doesn’t necessarily mean he’d ever want to play an older Thor trying to keep up with the Millennial Marvel superheroes.
He was so popular in the role, however, it might mean an inevitable return down the road. No one wants to see him do this just because he might not land roles he wants, though.
It’ll take time to decide whether after Hemsworth’s break, he can progress himself into more serious roles to prove his acting worth. The coming year will be a major turning point, even if comedies look to be his future if you go by him being tapped for the Jay and Silent Bob reboot, plus playing Hulk Hogan in a biopic.
If he does have to return to Thor, we wouldn’t necessarily be against seeing him portray an older superhero trying to find his way, much like the actor portraying him.
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