The list of supporting characters in the superhero franchises is massive. Marvel Cinematic Universe’s Thor franchise is also full of supporting characters that include charter members of Warriors Three- Hogun the Grim, Volstagg the Valiant, and the dashing warrior Fandral. They accompany the mightiest warriors of Asgard, sometimes seen alongside Lady Sif or in adventures with Thor.
No One Noticed Josh Dallas’ Fandral Was Replaced by Zachary Levi
In Thor: The Dark World Zachary Levi quietly replaced Josh Dallas to play Fandral and almost no one noticed it. As per reports, Dallas was set to return for the film but chose to give the Marvel role over his successful and highly anticipated installment of Once Upon a Time where he played the character of Prince Charming. Later, actor, singer, and Shazam star Zachary Levi took over the role.
Interestingly, the makers of the first Thor film had offered the role to Levi before, but he turned it down when his NBC action comedy Chuck got renewed for season 3.
Zachary Levi on Playing Fandral in the Thor Franchise
In an interview, Zachary Levi expressed his delight at the opportunity to play the character of Fandral.
“I grew up reading all Marvel all the time. It’s amazing to see all of these characters that I already animated into the world,” the actor said. He also revealed his fascination with the iconic Marvel character, Captain America. Levi said,
“I love the […] patriotism behind him, and the iconic-ness behind him, and I loved his Vibranium shield. I thought that was just dope. He could jump off the mountain and hit the ground and wouldn’t feel a thing if he landed on his shield, I’m like I want one of those, get me that.”
The Chuck actor was already familiar with Fandral as he was offered the role previously, and that helped him play the character in Thor: The Dark World.
Further, being a comic book fan, he was amazed at playing the character. On playing the character, he said,
“Their worlds live and breathe now. It’s like wow like my dreams as a kid are actually happening on movie screens and then as an actor to get to be in that world to get to be in the Marvel Universe and be Fandral the dashing […] that’s pretty epic.”
The End of Zachary Levi’s Fandral
After Thor: The Dark World, there was little space for Levi’s Fandral. He reprised the role in Thor: Ragnarok, but his character was soon murdered by Hela. However, Levi was actually happy about that, because the character was underdeveloped and had almost no lines or minimum screen time. In an interview with Screenrant, he revealed that he thought the Warriors Three could be fun if they were developed, but there was none of that.
“Even when I got killed, there was more to that scene. Granted, maybe 30 seconds more of a line here, a line there. Kill, kill, you’re dead. I knew Fandral could be fodder, would be fodder. I don’t know… unless Marvel really wanted to be like, ‘We want every single character we’ve ever seen, particularly demi-gods, to be able to be a part of Avengers.’ But then the truth is, to be honest… If let’s say Fandral was still alive, and let’s say they tapped me to be in Avengers [Infinity War], I’d probably be sitting in Atlanta for three months doing almost nothing. And then they’d be, ‘Okay now we’re ready for you, you guys go in,’ And then we’d get killed then.”
Fandral was fun to play in the look of it, but the lack of space and development for the character sucked out all the fun for Zachary Levi.
Also read: Marvel Character Deaths Fans Still Think Were Unnecessary & Super Cheap
Source: CBR
