Marvel’s “Thor: Love and Thunder,” proved to be a box office success, grossing a substantial $760 million worldwide. However, the film’s lighthearted tone and visual effects received mixed reactions from fans and critics alike. In a recent GQ magazine profile, Chris Hemsworth, the actor behind Thor, acknowledged the perceived shortcomings of the movie, admitting that it became “too silly” for its own good.
“I think we just had too much fun. It just became too silly,” Hemsworth said about the movie. “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.”
Speaking candidly about the film, Hemsworth shared his perspective on the challenges of being in the center of such a massive production. Despite being aware of the negative feedback, Hemsworth expressed his love for the creative process and acknowledged the unpredictable nature of audience response. Surprisingly, he found some of his harshest critics to be his son’s friends, who critiqued the film’s humor and visual effects with the honesty of young minds.
“It’s a bunch of eight-year-olds critiquing my film. ‘We thought this one had too much humor, the action was cool but the VFX weren’t as good,’” he said. “I cringe and laugh equally at it.”
With eight Marvel films under his belt, Hemsworth emphasized his willingness to explore different projects and take creative risks. The actor expressed his gratitude for the varied experiences he has had throughout his Marvel journey, attributing the contrasting tones of the Thor films to different directors and his own desire for versatility.
However, Marvel Studios has faced recent challenges in maintaining consistent critical acclaim. While “Black Panther: Wakanda Forever” achieved tremendous success at the box office and garnered an Oscar nomination for Angela Bassett, “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” received unfavorable reviews and performed below expectations. Hemsworth, commenting on the MCU’s recent releases, expressed his appreciation for the grounded and personal nature of “Wakanda Forever” while wondering about the shift in scale and tone for “Quantumania.”
Addressing the criticism from acclaimed filmmakers like Martin Scorsese and Quentin Tarantino, Hemsworth acknowledged their viewpoints but expressed disappointment at their remarks. Tarantino had previously stated that Marvel movies cannot create movie stars, and Scorsese had criticized their impact on the exhibition landscape. Hemsworth, while respecting their opinions, expressed his gratitude for being a part of a franchise that has kept audiences engaged in cinema. He also highlighted the need to avoid unnecessary scrutiny within the industry and encouraged a more supportive environment.
“That’s super depressing when I hear that,” Hemsworth said about Tarantino and Scorsese. “There goes two of my heroes I won’t work with. I guess they’re not a fan of me,” Hemsworth said.
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.”
Hemsworth’s upcoming role in “Extraction 2,” set to stream on Netflix on June 16th.
