An In-Depth Interview With Chris Hemsworth About Thor!
The actor goes into detail about Thor's development during the movie, what it was like to wield Mjolnir and the training needed for that, as well as what he thinks about Marvel and Kenneth Branagh...
On The Challenges Of Playing An Iconic Marvel Character:
"There’s a lot of pressure with something that existed for so many years before you were involved and already has a fan base, but you don’t let that affect the way you approach the film. I approached it by doing it as well as I can. Whether it’s a small film, or something like this, it’s very exciting and daunting."
On How His Banishment To Earth Affects Thor:
"It’s a big breaking point in Thor’s journey. He learns some humility. He starts out as a brash, cocky, young warrior and she certainly influences him in a different direction and gives him a different angle to look at life from. It's an ongoing battle within Thor, taming the berserk warrior that is in him."
On How His Character Develops Over The Course Of The Movie:
"He has to be that warrior and he still has to have those elements. That’s what makes him Thor. But also, you don’t want to watch a guy for too long on screen who’s just a jerk all the time. You get moments of it, where it’s kind of cool and bad, but then it just gets old. You’ve got to find that balance, and at the right times, sneak a bit of it back in."
On Working With Kenneth Branagh And Marvel Studios:
"It’s been brilliant! It’s the most character development, discussions on scenes and back-story that I’ve ever had. He always had the attitude that you should read books--read this, look at all these influences, talk for hours. Maybe it means nothing or maybe it gives us one moment in the film, and it’s worth it. That’s part of the fun for me, all that research and speaking to as many people as I can and soaking up all that stuff."
On Training For The Role:
"It was a lot of protein shakes, chicken breasts, a lot of calories, food and working out. I’ve tried to get as much rest as I can, that’s the other third of the equation. I put on about 20 pounds, and then lost a lot of it since shooting, because I wasn’t eating that amount."
On Wielding Mjolnir And The Difficulties That Came With It:
"It’s a rather impractical weapon in a sense. It’s got this big huge head on it and a tiny little handle. We talked about boxing a lot actually, I’ve done Muay Thai for years, which keeps you on your toes, but boxing is a more grounded technique. You talk about Mike Tyson, low to the ground, using your power through your legs. A lot of that influenced Thor, with big shoulder movements. It becomes sort of gritty, street fighting stuff at times. He also happens to have a big hammer in his hands at the time too."