Avengers: Endgame – Chris Hemsworth reflects on playing a different kind of Thor

Chris Hemsworth talks about what it was like playing a “larger” Thor in Avengers: Endgame.

Thor went through a massive transformatino, both physically and mentally, in Avengers: Endgame. While many were surprised to see him as an out of shape recluse following his failure to kill Thanos, the decision to do this was well received. And behind the camera, Chris Hemsworth had an interesting experience playing this version of the God of Thunder.

During an in-depth interview with Variety, Hemsworth discussed his time playing what he refers to as “Lebowski Thor” in Avengers: Endgame. This new iteration was a far cry from what fans have seen from the character before. However, Hemsworth loved the idea of trying something new and subverting the audience’s expectations:

"“You’re not locked into expectations. I enjoyed that version of Thor. It was so different than any other way I played the character. And then it took on a life of its own.”"

Interestingly, Thor was originally meant to revert back to his normal self during the middle of Endgame. But Hemsworth was adamant about maintaining his larger physique for the duration of the film and, ultimately, the actor got his way.

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As most would expect, Thor’s new look required a significant physical transformation for Hemsworth, which required three hours of hair and makeup and a prosthetic suit that was a 90-pound silicone.

The actor eventually got used to sporting the look around set, and it also become a source of humor and affection for the cast and crew. This mostly including people walking up to the actor and rubbing his faux belly:

"“People just kept coming up and cuddling me like a big bear or rubbing my belly like I was pregnant. Or trying to sit on my lap like I was Santa Claus. You get a lot of affection. I felt like an old man, an old grandpa, with a bunch of kids around.”"

Thor’s arc in Avengers: Endgame is a prime example of subverting expectations. Taking the character in this new direction was a risky, but bold, choice that ultimately paid off for the film’s creatives. Not only did it provide several laugh-out-loud moments, it also led to some compelling scenes.

An overweight Thor may not have been what fans necessarily wanted, but it turned out to be just want was needed for Avengers: Endgame. And following the success of this interpretation, it may stick with Thor in any future MCU appearances.