Chris Hemsworth had his career-defining role in 2011 with the MCU film Thor. Since then, the actor has been in multiple Marvel films, playing the God of Thunder. While the actor has also appeared in films such as Extraction and Snow White and the Huntsman, he became a worldwide star and one of the highest-paid actors with the Thor and Avengers films.
However, the fourth solo film in the franchise, Thor: Love and Thunder was not as well-received as its predecessors. Despite being a commercial success, the film was criticized for its shoddy VFX and writing. Hemsworth has now come out and taken responsibility for the film’s disappointing response.
Chris Hemsworth Claims Responsibility For The Criticisms Of Thor: Love and Thunder
Actor Chris Hemsworth and director Taika Waititi reunited after the success of Thor: Ragnarok with the fourth film in the franchise. The third film was a huge success and redefined the character of Thor. It was a welcome tonal shift for the character and Waititi’s brand of humor seemed to work well for the film and the MCU.
However, Thor: Love and Thunder, faced criticism from fans and critics alike, with many pointing out the shoddy VFX and writing. The film boasted a talented cast such as Natalie Portman, Tessa Thompson, Christian Bale, and Russell Crowe. The film was also criticized for its tonal inconsistencies and for overdoing the humor (via ScreenRant).
Chris Hemsworth has mentioned on multiple occasions that he has been hearing the criticisms leveled against the film and that he admits they went too silly with the film. The actor recently claimed responsibility for its failure to impress fans. He also reportedly expressed his disappointment with how his character was treated in the MCU. He said in an interview with Vanity Fair,
“I got caught up in the improv and the wackiness, and I became a parody of myself. I didn’t stick the landing…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?’…Yeah, I’m part of this big thing, but I’m probably pretty replaceable.”
The actor has mentioned publicly his dream to work with more acclaimed directors and move out of his action hero persona. He has mentioned feeling terrible when he was not called by filmmakers such as Martin Scorsese, Christopher Nolan, and Quentin Tarantino.
Fans Defend Chris Hemsworth And Blame Taika Waititi For Thor: Love and Thunder
Chris Hemsworth has opened up about the criticisms laid upon Thor: Love and Thunder on previous occasions. Though the film earned over $760 million at the box office, fans seemed to be disappointed with the treatment of the character and its over-reliance on the brand of humor that made Thor: Ragnarok a success.
Hemsworth mentioned to GQ that he heard criticisms from his son’s friends as well and admitted that they went too silly with the film. He said,
“It’s a bunch of eight-year-olds critiquing my film. ‘We thought this one had too much humor, the action was cool but the VFX weren’t as good’…I think we just had too much fun. It just became too silly. I love the process, it’s always a ride. But you just don’t know how people are going to respond.”
Though Hemsworth has taken responsibility for the failure of the film, fans seem to have found the real culprit. Marvel fans were quick to defend Hemsworth after he admitted that they did not stick the landing with Thor: Love and Thunder and went on to blame director Taika Waititi for not doing a good job.
It’s not his fault that he was given a bad script to work off of.
— RJ (@ResonantJustice) April 30, 2024
all they need to do is get rid of Taika for Thor 5 and make it a darker film
— harv (@harvv) April 30, 2024
I don’t blame him for it. He was lead in that direction and they went too far into the comedy.
— Chainsaw Reacts (@ChainsawReacts) April 30, 2024
Even though I love Ragnarok, I will never forgive Taika for ruining two very good Thor arcs
— Cinematografia. (@Cinematografiaz) April 30, 2024
Blame the director.
— Hector Navarro (@imhectornavarro) April 30, 2024
Taika made Thor a better character with Ragnarok, and then went right past the mark with Love and Thunder. I don’t blame Hemsworth, he is obviously a professional who works to do what the director leads him to do. He’s proven that time and time again. When he has good direction…
— Stormweather (@markstormweathr) April 30, 2024
While Chris Hemsworth’s journey as Thor is unclear, with no Thor 5 being announced, the actor will be seen in a new avatar as the antagonist in George Miller’s upcoming Mad Max spinoff Furiosa.
Thor: Love and Thunder is streaming on Disney Plus.
