The Truth Behind Chris Hemsworth's Ghostbusters Role: How It Transformed His Career
Chris Hemsworth feared his career would suffer due to the Ghostbusters script, but his successful comedic roles in the last two Thor movies helped him embrace improv in the film
Summary
Chris Hemsworth initially thought his role in the 2016 Ghostbusters reboot would be "the end of his career" due to his lack of improvisation experience.
Hemsworth's concerns were eased by the skilled ensemble of Ghostbusters, who assisted him in honing his improvisational abilities.
The time Hemsworth spent on Ghostbusters had a profound impact on his comedic portrayals in the subsequent two Thor films, highlighting his aptitude for humor.
Chris Hemsworth feared that his involvement in the 2016 Ghostbusters film would negatively impact his career. The original plans for a third Ghostbusters movie featuring the original cast fell through, and the passing of Harold Ramis in 2014 further complicated matters. Sony decided to reboot the beloved supernatural comedy franchise, this time with an all-female cast including comedy veterans Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Kate McKinnon, and Leslie Jones as the four main ghost hunters. Hemsworth portrayed Kevin Beckman, an attractive but dim-witted receptionist, flipping the usual stereotype on its head. Directed by Paul Feig, the goal of Ghostbusters was to breathe new life into the franchise for a younger audience, and both the cast and crew signed on for two more sequels.
Unfortunately, the film faced a major backlash even before its release. The trailer became the most disliked video on YouTube at the time, with much of the criticism driven by sexism and a lack of interest in a female-led reboot. Some internet users even downvoted the film's IMDb rating prior to its premiere. Despite receiving generally positive reviews from critics, Ghostbusters did not perform as well as expected at the box office. As a result, Sony abandoned plans for a sequel and instead focused on releasing Ghostbusters: Afterlife in 2021. However, it turns out that the backlash was not the main concern for Hemsworth regarding his Ghostbusters role.
Chris Hemsworth Was Nervous About Improvising In Ghostbusters
Hemsworth admitted to initially believing that the polarizing Ghostbusters film would mark the downfall of his acting career. During an interview with GQ, he discussed his concerns about director Paul Feig's request for him to improvise on set, a skill he had never attempted before. Hemsworth expressed his fear of negatively impacting the film and disappointing the team, stating:
"When I asked Paul about my role, he assured me that we would figure it out on set. So, I took a leap of faith and arrived at the studio a day before shooting began. Paul handed me the script, but after reading it, I still couldn't find much substance. I wondered, 'What am I supposed to do?' Paul reassured me, encouraging me to embrace improvisation and enjoy the process. My immediate reaction was a mixture of anxiety and self-doubt – I believed that not only would this potentially destroy my career, but also jeopardize the success of the film. I questioned my abilities, as I had never attempted improvisation before."
Hemsworth's initial worries were quickly eased by his fellow Ghostbusters cast members, all renowned comedians from SNL and other comedy projects, including McCarthy, Wiig, Jones, and McKinnon. They took him under their wing and helped him with his improvisation skills, a talent he became more confident in, as evidenced by his improvisation in Thor: Ragnarok. While he doesn't mention the online backlash that Ghostbusters faced before its release, Hemsworth emphasizes the fun he had filming the reboot and the freedom to explore his character alongside the rest of the cast.
It may come as a surprise, given Hemsworth's international fame, that he genuinely believed his lack of improvisation experience could end his career. However, it is comforting to know that he received immense support from his experienced colleagues, who are well-versed in the art, during his moments of self-doubt. Despite the ongoing controversies surrounding the 2016 Ghostbusters, it is evident that the reboot played a significant role in Hemsworth's skill development and continues to be adored by viewers worldwide.
Hemsworth Leaned Into Comedy For His Last Two Thor Movies
Phase 1 of the MCU had its merits, but it's undeniable that the superhero franchise was still finding its footing, especially evident in films like Thor. Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the first Thor movie adopted a Shakespearean approach, presenting a stiff and authoritative portrayal of the titular character. While not necessarily a flaw, this characterization quickly becomes monotonous as the entire film revolves around it. However, the introduction of Taika Waititi and his unique brand of quirky and offbeat humor completely transformed the Thor franchise into one of the MCU's standout accomplishments.
This shift towards comedy is noticeable right from the opening scene of Thor: Ragnarok and continues through to Thor: Love and Thunder. The release of Thor: Ragnarok came a year after the Ghostbusters reboot, and it's evident that Chris Hemsworth applied the lessons he learned on that film set to his performance. While Waititi's influence and style are apparent, it is Hemsworth's versatility in delivering various comedy styles, be it clever, broad, physical, or otherwise, that allows Waititi's script to flourish within the broader MCU. Despite not being commonly associated with comedy, Hemsworth's work in both Ghostbusters and Thor showcases that it may indeed be his greatest talent.
Source: GQ
