Chris Hemsworth was 'running out of money' before landing his breakout role as Thor - and says he put pressure on himself to 'take care of his family'
Today, he is one of Hollywood's most famous leading men.
But before his breakthrough role as Thor in 2011, Chris Hemsworth was struggling financially and, by his own admission, 'running out of money'.
The 35-year-old actor told Variety that he put extra pressure on himself because he felt obliged to support his family back in Australia.
Dark times: Before his breakthrough role as Thor in 2011, Chris Hemsworth was struggling financially and, by his own admission, 'running out of money'
'I wanted to pay off [my parents'] house, initially,' said Chris, reflecting on his early years in the film industry. 'That was my sort of thing.
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'I almost put too much pressure on myself. If I hadn’t taken it upon myself to take care of my family, I might have been more relaxed.'
Chris, who now stars as Agent 'H' in Men in Black: International, also told the publication that he got 'very close' to playing GI Joe before being cast as Thor.
Supportive son: The 35-year-old actor told Variety that he put extra pressure on himself because he felt obliged to support his family back in Australia. Pictured as Thor
He was also apparently considered for the role of Gambit in the Wolverine movies.
Both opportunities came at a time when Chris was struggling to find work in the movie industry and he believes that, had he landed either of those roles, he may not have been considered for the Marvel Universe movies.
'I got very close to GI Joe. I got very close to Gambit in the Wolverine X-Men movies,' he explained.
'At the time I was upset [by the rejection]. But if I played either of those characters, I wouldn't have been able to play Thor.'
Who knew? Chris, who now stars in Men in Black: International, also told Variety that he got 'very close' to playing GI Joe and Gambit in the Wolverine movies before being cast as Thor
Sliding doors: Chris believes that, had he landed either of those roles, he may not have been considered for the Marvel Universe movies
Gambit was played by Taylor Kitsch in X Men Origins: Wolverine. Channing Tatum was then lined up to play the same character in its own title movie that was later cancelled.
Chris had the last laugh when he landed the role of Thor, which his younger brother Liam also auditioned for, and is now one of Hollywood's most bankable leading men.
He debuted as Thor in 2011 and went on to star in a handful of sequels and various other Avengers superhero movies.
Different direction: Chris previously auditioned for the role of Gambit in the Wolverine franchise (played by Taylor Kitsch above) as well as GI Joe, but missed out on both
The fourth and final Avengers movie, Endgame, was released in April and was a box office smash, grossing over US$1.2billion during its opening weekend.
According to The Hollywood Reporter, Chris earned up to US$20million for the final two Avengers films.
Despite previously hinting that Avengers: Endgame marked the end of his contract with Marvel, it's rumoured that Chris will be appearing in the third Guardians of the Galaxy film.
Raking it in! According to The Hollywood Reporter , Chris earned up to US$20million for the final two Avengers films. Pictured with his wife Elsa Pataky
