Working as a major part of the Marvel Cinematic Universe comes with its own set of positives and negatives. Seemingly, the good far outweighs the bad, right? Actors who star in a hit Marvel film often become household names, and the whole industry opens up for them, giving them opportunities they might not have had before. However, there’s also the issue that you’re contracted to do a bunch of appearances, and you may forever remain linked to this fictional character you play. And in terms of opportunities, there may be select filmmakers who don’t want a Marvel actor in their work because, as Quentin Tarantino put it, “they’re not movie stars.” Well, Chris Hemsworth is sad to hear about that last point as he begins his transition away from the Marvel Studios world.
Speaking in a new GQ profile, Chris Hemsworth was pretty blunt with his response to criticisms of the most recent ‘Thor’ film, ‘Love & Thunder,’ as well as the comments made by the aforementioned Tarantino and the iconic Martin Scorsese. Both of those men have spoken at various times about their dislike of Marvel films and how they don’t qualify as true “cinema.”
For Hemsworth, he’s sad that these two filmmakers have made comments about Marvel films and the actors who work on them. And now, he assumes that the opportunity to work with Tarantino, Scorsese, and other similar filmmakers who speak harshly about Marvel movies is gone.
“That’s super depressing when I hear that,” Hemsworth said. “There goes two of my heroes I won’t work with. I guess they’re not a fan of me.”
He added, “I’m thankful that I have been a part of something that kept people in cinemas. Now, whether or not those films were to the detriment of other films, I don’t know. I don’t love when we start scrutinizing each other when there’s so much fragility in the business and in this space of the arts as it is…I say that less to the directors who made those comments, who are all, by the way, still my heroes, and in a heartbeat, I would leap to work with any of them. But I say it more to the broader opinion around that topic. I don’t think any of us have the answer, but we’re trying.”
As mentioned, Hemsworth also spoke about the criticisms lobbed at his most recent Marvel film, “Thor: Love & Thunder.” This sequel (the fourth film in the ‘Thor’ franchise) was heavily criticized for not taking anything seriously with its heavy plot involving dead and endangered children, as well as a superhero with a cancer diagnosis. There was also plenty written about the shoddy CGI work. With separation from that film’s release, Hemsworth is willing to admit there were issues with ‘Love & Thunder.’
“I think we just had too much fun. It just became too silly,” he explained. “It’s always hard being in the center of it and having any real perspective…I love the process; it’s always a ride. But you just don’t know how people are going to respond.”
Hemsworth will next be seen in “Extraction 2,” which is expected to arrive on Netflix on June 16.