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Chris Hemsworth On How He Prepares For 'Thor'

There's a lot more to Thor than just picking up a hammer, as Hemsworth explains in a recent interview.

There's more to playing Thor on the big screen than hitting the gym and reading your lines, at least based on actor Chris Hemworth's approach to the character. The actor recently sat down for an interview with Prestige Hong Kong where he explained in some detail the effort he goes to when he becomes Thor -- and it involves a whole lot more than just hitting the gym hard.

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[For Thor], there’s a lot of ongoing reading and rereading of the script. I have a guy that I work with a lot who’s a voice coach, but also far more than that. We pull scripts apart and go into who these people are; his whole attitude of approaching a character is, instead of trying to mimic something or work out technically how you do that, it’s more why does someone speak like that. What’s in your personality or nature, or your past that has moulded you into sounding like this? That then raises a whole lot of questions about the character – which is great. You do that all the way through the film, even afterwards it’s hard to switch off sometimes.

It's clear that the actor had to delve into the psyche of Thor and ask questions like, who is this character? What makes him tick? What are the ins-and-outs of who he is and what his motivations are? When you treat each line as though they are valuable, you get a different perspective. Not to mention, Hemsworth will have two movies to build the character from: Thor and The Avengers.

== TEASER ==

One of the issues Hemsworth addresses is also the decision to sport a British accent in THOR, which he explains was because of the association between "Shakespearean speak" and "God-like beings," which does make some sense.

For whatever reason, it just seems to fit that world. Probably for no other reason than that it’s the way it’s been done in history. We associate Shakespearean speak [with god-like beings] because so many British actors have done it over the years. It resonates with the audience. Also, we had Anthony Hopkins, who is Welsh but has similar tones. I certainly couldn’t play him as Australian because people would think, “That’s Crocodile Dundee!”

It's clear that the role opened up a lot of doors for Hemsworth's career -- and he has valued the opportunity; something that is obvious when you see the effort he puts into playing the part of Thor onscreen; from the workouts and dieting and the choreographed combat scenes, to identifying who Thor really is. If you are interested, check out the rest of the interview with Hemsworth on Prestige Hong Kong.

Thor: The Dark World is set to hit theaters across America on November 8th, 2013 and will star Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Jaime Alexander as Sif, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster and many more. The film will be produced and distributed by Marvel Studios and is being directed by Alan Taylor known best for his work on the Game of Thrones series for HBO.

Source: Prestige Hong Kong

38 Comments

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Master_Thief

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Edited By Master_Thief

Can't WAIT

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Mucklefluga

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Edited By Mucklefluga

He's a great Thor.

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Jonny_Anonymous

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Edited By Jonny_Anonymous

I still think Thor should have a Swedish accent like in Ultimate Marvel

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GreenFuse

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Edited By GreenFuse

He's a phenomenal Thor. Helmsworth, Robert Downey, and Patrick Stewart seemed like perfect fits for their respective Marvel roles. I can't picture anyone else playing them (though, I did like McAvoy as a young Xavier...not sure I could picture him bald and in a wheelchair lol).

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fables87

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Edited By fables87

@GreenFuse said:

He's a phenomenal Thor. Helmsworth, Robert Downey, and Patrick Stewart seemed like perfect fits for their respective Marvel roles. I can't picture anyone else playing them (though, I did like McAvoy as a young Xavier...not sure I could picture him bald and in a wheelchair lol).

I agree. They were all perfect!

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evilvegeta74

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Edited By evilvegeta74

Bring'eth on'eth!

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Doctor!!!!!

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Edited By Doctor!!!!!

He just needs to look good in that costume.... I'm not taking that back.

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zackattack529

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Edited By zackattack529

directed by alan taylor!

nuff' said.

cannot wait.

Im a DC fanboy...but there is no question that Marvel makes better on screen adaptions.

well at least for the past 6 years

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Miss_Garrick

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Edited By Miss_Garrick

I can't wait!! Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston are AWESOME!!

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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

Will he ever don a helmet in the next Thor or Avengers movie?

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bloggerboy

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Edited By bloggerboy

Rewatched the Avengers recently and Hemsworth was so convincing as a demigod it's uncanny.

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crazyflashfan11

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Edited By crazyflashfan11

@Master_Thiefsaid:

Can't WAIT

@Mucklefluga

said:

He's a great Thor.

my thoughts exactly

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Ry Fryy

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Edited By Ry Fryy

I'm so happy for Hemsworth.  He has done a fantastic job as Thor and deserves all the praise.  I cannot wait for Dark Worlds!!

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selinaky

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Edited By selinaky

@Decept-O said:

Will he ever don a helmet in the next Thor or Avengers movie?

I hope he does...

Chris Hemsworth is a great Thor, can't wait for The Dark World.

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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

@Selinaky: Same here. Thor just isn't Thor without his helmet for me. Hemsworth was OK, I am not as enthusiastic as everyone else about him but I guess that has to do with the fact I'd hoped for someone a bit more imposing physically. It is a gripe yes but Hemsworth is still all right after all is said and done on my part.

I still think the actor who plays Loki is spot on in all areas. Naturally I've forgotten his name and I just watched The Avengers the other night but as far as casting and acting, he was great. Also looking forward to the next Thor movie and I hope they bring the action.

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GR2Blackout

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Edited By GR2Blackout

@zackattack529 said:

directed by alan taylor!

nuff' said.

cannot wait.

Im a DC fanboy...but there is no question that Marvel makes better on screen adaptions.

well at least for the past 6 years

I put everything I agree with in bold.

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selinaky

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Edited By selinaky

@Decept-O said:

@Selinaky: Same here. Thor just isn't Thor without his helmet for me. Hemsworth was OK, I am not as enthusiastic as everyone else about him but I guess that has to do with the fact I'd hoped for someone a bit more imposing physically. It is a gripe yes but Hemsworth is still all right after all is said and done on my part.

I still think the actor who plays Loki is spot on in all areas. Naturally I've forgotten his name and I just watched The Avengers the other night but as far as casting and acting, he was great. Also looking forward to the next Thor movie and I hope they bring the action.

I know, just wish he would wear it! At least when fighting!

Tom Hiddleston plays Loki, he's fantastic as that character.

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PowerHerc

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Edited By PowerHerc

Hemsworth is a great "Thor" and I look forward to seeing him in the next, and hopefully several more, movies.

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SandMan_

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Edited By SandMan_

Cool. Next year will be awesome.

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Fantasgasmic

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Edited By Fantasgasmic

I know a lot of Shakespeare fans (one friend even with a Masters in Shakespearean Literature) who don't like the idea of a Norse god speaking with an Olde English style accent. But Shakespeare's most famous play features a bunch of Scandinavians in Denmark, and I'd bet good money the Bard didn't have his cast using Danish accents. Plus the modern British accent is supposedly further removed from Shakespeare's accent than the modern Irish and even American accents.

I had never heard of Chris Hemsworth before I saw him in Thor, and I can't think of any other actor I'd want to play the character. Yeah, he has a slightly different flavor than 616 and even Ultimate Thor, but the differences don't detract from the character.

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MisterKetch

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Edited By MisterKetch

Wow not that I had anything against him before but huge respect for him now, he's not just a really pretty face he is actually an actor and approaches his roles as such. Alan Taylor!!! Officially excited for this. Though I still feel that Loki wasn't the best cast, not bad but idk he just kind of falls flat at times was surprised to hear he was coming back in Dark World but I'll keep an open mind I mean they definitely could have cast worse.

@Doctor!!!!! said:

He just needs to look good in that costume.... I'm not taking that back.

you know what scratch everything I said above cause this really is what matters everything else is just icing.

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RedheadedAtrocitus

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It really is interesting how British accent still holds an air of superiority with regard to voices in movies and shows. It may be a big ethnocentric in a cultural sense, but some parts just simply cannot be done otherwise. So when Hemsworth says that Shakespearean dialect is synonymous with the 'language of gods', I am inclined to agree with him. Its not just movies about gods though. If you notice, movies about ancient history are the same way. Gladiator for instance had the Romans sounding like Brits and Welshmen. Alexander too for that matter. Terrible as it sounds, Shakespearean dialect is what is in when it comes to appropriate roles in Hollywood. Very informative article by the way.

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jorgecabrera

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Edited By jorgecabrera

I was really hoping he'd have a weird process like: "I bathe in goat's milk for an hour every morning while wearing the helmet, and I allow myself to air dry afterwards. Still, wearing only the helmet.", or something like that.

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Necrotic_Lycanthrope

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@GreenFuse:

Don't forget Michael Fassbender. He's the epitome of Magneto, going so far as to upsurp even the awesomeness that was the Ian McKellan Magneto.

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deactivated-5791595859013

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Prep To Play Thor Checklist

1 - Drink mead

2 - Sleep with buxom women

3 - Drink mead

4 - Cry out to the heavens to your fictional father for hours

5 - Drink mead

6 - Do 1,000,000 push-ups

7 - Drink mead

8 - Practice flexing and posing in the mirror for the best angle to show off body

9 - Drink mead

10 - Stand naked and look at self in the mirror saying "I am a god" until properly psyched up

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blueninjapanther

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Edited By blueninjapanther

This movie is gonna be so awesome.

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AngeTheDude

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Edited By AngeTheDude

@Selinaky said:

@Decept-O said:

Will he ever don a helmet in the next Thor or Avengers movie?

I hope he does...

Chris Hemsworth is a great Thor, can't wait for The Dark World.

It just isn't practical for him to have one. You could tell the helmet in the film was ceremonial only.

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Mercy_

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Edited By Mercy_

Chris Hemsworth is pretty freaking incredible (and not just to look at).

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Decept-O

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Edited By Decept-O

@AngeTheDude: OK, your opinion. I don't agree. He doesn't need to wear one all the time but my point is, I'd like to see Thor wearing his helmet, ceremonial or not. He wears it in the comic books, he should at least do the same for a scene or two in the movies.

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Aiden Cross

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Edited By Aiden Cross

To be fair, all he needs to do is take of his shirt in the movie, show his body, and ladies everywhere will swoon :)

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TDK_1997

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Edited By TDK_1997

I love Hemsworth as Thor.He is perfect for the role.

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lykopis

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Edited By lykopis

So, he has a hard time switching off the character while filming...hmm.....lucky Elsa Pataki.

O_O

Verily.

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Lvenger

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Edited By Lvenger

Chris Hemsworth is a fantastic Thor. His performences in Thor and Avengers were brilliant. Can't wait for the Dark World!

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yo_yo_fun

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Edited By yo_yo_fun

I think its awesome that he gets to know the character from the inside, out.

I can't wait for the next movie!

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wayne720

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Edited By wayne720

I am sorry he doesn't play a good Thor he is not tall he doesn't even wear Thor helmet they should of gave the roll to HHH from WWE he will play a proud Thor.

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lanebad6

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Edited By lanebad6

i am 99.9% sure he will never have the helmet in the movies.

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sillys

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Edited By sillys

@Loise, you make $27h thats great going girl good for you! My story is that I quit working at shoprite to work online, seriously I couldn't be happier I work when I want and where I want. And with a little effort I easily bring in $35h and sometimes even as much as $85h…heres a good example of what i'm doing, Red97.com

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TheHeat

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Edited By TheHeat
@wayne720 said:
I am sorry he doesn't play a good Thor he is not tall he doesn't even wear Thor helmet they should of gave the roll to HHH from WWE he will play a proud Thor.
HHH is a horrible actor!