In the latest episode of iconic characters, Chris Hemsworth gives GQ all the behind the scenes secrets of his most beloved movie roles. His first big role was Thor in 2011, back when the Australian native was just excited to have his visa extended. “It was a leap of faith on one hand, as far as what was being pitched,” says Hemsworth. “But a pretty easy leap in the sense that I didn’t have any other options.”
Hemsworth went straight from fighting villains to driving race cars, but the thing that scared him the most was improvisation. After a conversation with Paul Feig about his role in the comedy film Ghostbusters, Hemsworth had two thoughts: “This is not only the end of my career,” said Hemswoth. “But I’m going to ruin this movie.” Thankfully his co-stars were some of the great comedy legends and they held his hand through the entire process, which turned out to be 90% ad lib. “Melissa [McCarthy] would say she wanted to try something and just start coming with a line,” explained Hemsworth. “I had to either sink or swim and try to come up with something to throw back.”
Another big moment: Getting punched in the face by Kristin Stewart for Snow White And The Huntsman. Hemsworth wasn’t phased. “I was more upset that she didn’t continue through the take. She kind of hit me and went, ‘oh my god I’m so sorry,”’ he says. “I think she was more upset than I was.”
No matter the role, Hemsworth tries to keep a memento from every movie he’s in. The actor even went as far as to ship his Thor 2 costume all the way from England to Australia in a giant shipping container. Where is that costume now you may wonder? “It’s still in my parents place, in the garage, in that box,” admits Hemsworth.