As the MCU transitions to Phase 5, more and more older Marvel characters get phased out. And at this point, Chris Hemsworth‘s Thor is now the longest-serving Avenger in the MCU, which is kind of hard to believe. But four standalone films and a decade-plus of time as the God of Thunder later, that’s now the case. Hemsworth thinks that they may be just about enough, too.
Collider reports (via Vanity Fair) that Hemsworth currently mulls his future as Thor, and believes his next “Thor” film should be his last. “I feel like we’d probably have to close the book if I ever did it again, you know what I mean?” Hemsworth said in a new interview with VF. “I feel like it probably warrants that. I feel like it’d probably be the finale, but that’s not based on anything anyone’s told me or any sort of plans. You have this birth of a hero, the journey of a hero, then the death of a hero, and I don’t know — am I at that stage? Who knows?”
In all likelihood, not even Kevin Feige probably knows Thor’s future at this point. The Phase 5 and 6 movie schedules are out now, but no “Thor” movies are currently listed. That doesn’t necessarily mean Hemsworth won’t make an appearance at some point, though, with the two “Avengers: The Kang Dynasty” and “Avengers: Secret Wars” being likely options. But Hemsworth said he’s “completely open” to another “Thor” movie with Taika Waititi at the helm, albeit with one caveat: Waititi keeps switching things up. Hemsworth would prefer “something unique and fresh and unexpected to do with the character and the world,” he continued. “I’ve always loved the experience. I’ve been very thankful I’ve been able to do something different each time.”
At this point in his career, Hemsworth wants to spend as much time as possible with his family, including his “Thor: Love & Thunder” co-star, daughter India. And if he signs on to a project, he needs it to be very special, and with the right kind of filmmaker. Take “Furiosa” and George Miller, for instance. “Now, if something’s going to pull me away from my family and my kids, it’s got to be a positive, constructive, collaborative experience,” Hemsworth said. “I shot with George Miller on the new prequel to “Fury Road,” part of the ‘Mad Max’ saga, and I said to my agent, ‘That’s where I want to spend my work hours; with someone who is kind and collaborative and interesting.'”
And “Furiosa” will be nothing if not interesting. But it sounds like Hemsworth is losing interest in his role as Thor. The end credits for “Love & Thunder” declared that “Thor will return,” which surprised Hemsworth and Waititi. But Marvel has so much new stuff going on, who knows when that will happen? Whenever Hemsworth returns to the role, fans should appreciate it; it may well be the last time he dons the superhero’s cape and magic hammer.