Marvel star Chris Hemsworth has released a Thor tribute video, sparking speculation the character will die in Avengers: Doomsday.
The video, titled ‘Thank You! The Legacy of Thor,’ includes clips of Hemsworth as Thor going as far back as an audition tape right up to his performance in 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder. While the video may be nothing more than a nostalgia-fueled look back at a character Hemsworth has played since 2011 now that filming for Avengers: Doomsday has begun, some believe it is in truth a farewell video, or a wave goodbye to Thor.
Hemsworth also wrote a thank you note in the video description:
“Playing Thor has been one of the greatest honors of my life. For the last 15 years I’ve held Mjolnir and then Stormbreaker as the God of Thunder, but what made it truly special… was sharing it with all of you. Your passion, your cheers, and your love for this character have meant everything to me.
“Thank you for making my journey through the Marvel Cinematic Universe unforgettable.. Next up, Doomsday!”
This message, combined with the tribute video, has sparked a degree of concern among MCU fans that Chris Hemsworth may finally be ready to hang up his hammer.
“Please never walk away from this role. We all want you to stay,” reads one comment on the video. “Please never stop playing Thor,” reads another.
It’s a similar concern across social media. “Oh yeah Thor’s definitely dying next movie,” one X / Twitter user said. “Ya he’s getting cooked,” said another.
There’s context worth pointing to with this speculation. Last year, Hemsworth admitted he “didn’t stick the landing” with the divisive Thor: Love and Thunder and said he felt he owed fans another film.
Speaking to Vanity Fair, Hemsworth said he became too wacky in Love and Thunder and the film suffered as a result, perhaps especially following Thor: Ragnarok, which became somewhat of a breakout success for the character by adding more comedy elements.
“I got caught up in the improv and the wackiness, and I became a parody of myself,” Hemsworth said. “I didn’t stick the landing.” He can’t forgive himself for the performance, Vanity Fair said, so feels he owes fans another film. Could Avengers: Doomsday or Secret Wars count as that film, or would Thor 5 be more appropriate as a goodbye?
The chance of Thor 5 happening previously seemed slim after Hemsworth, who’s already appeared in eight Marvel Cinematic Universe films, said he’s ready to “close the book” on the character. Director of Ragnarok and Love and Thunder Taika Waititi is also out due to a busy schedule.
Marvel recently delayed both Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars to December 2026 and December 2027 respectively. The Fantastic Four: First Steps, Spider-Man: Brand New Day, and the two Avengers movies are currently the only upcoming MCU films with confirmed release dates.
Wesley is Director, News at IGN. Find him on Twitter at @wyp100. You can reach Wesley at wesley_yinpoole@ign.com or confidentially at wyp100@proton.me.
