Chris Hemsworth has communicated to his representatives that he is prepared to step back from the role of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, according to people with knowledge of the conversations, with the actor directing his professional focus toward an independent production slate through his company Wild State.
Sources close to Hemsworth described the decision as considered and deliberate rather than the product of a dispute with Marvel. "He has enormous affection for that character and what those films have meant," one person said. "This is not a falling out. This is someone at a particular point in his career who wants to find out what he can do outside of something he has done for fifteen years." The sources said Hemsworth had not definitively closed the door on returning to the role and that his position left Marvel room to negotiate terms for a future appearance.
Wild State, Hemsworth's production company, has entered conversations with streaming platforms about a development deal focused on original, non-franchise material, according to two people familiar with those discussions. One described the company's slate as including two feature projects and a limited series in various stages of development, all involving material that Hemsworth has been developing independently of any existing intellectual property.
In a profile interview published several months ago, Hemsworth spoke about his desire to pursue roles that challenged him in ways the Thor role no longer could. "I want parts where I don't have a safety net," he said. "I want to be in situations where I genuinely don't know if I can do it." He did not mention Thor or Marvel specifically in that context.
Marvel Studios has not commented on Hemsworth's future with the franchise. The studio has not announced a Thor 5 project at either of its two most recent major events, at which industry observers had anticipated such an announcement based on prior patterns. Three correspondents who cover Marvel said they had been unable to establish a timeline for any formal announcement.
Hemsworth has played Thor in nine Marvel projects since 2011, making him one of the longest-tenured actors in the franchise. His departure, if confirmed, would require the studio to make a creative decision about the character's future — whether to recast, to retire the character, or to develop a successor in a different direction.
A spokesperson for Hemsworth declined to comment on the reports. A Marvel Studios spokesperson did not respond to requests for comment.