One of the defining elements of popular culture in the 21st century is the Marvel Cinematic Universe, which continues with a number of planned films even afterAvengers: Endgameculminated in a 21-movie arc and becamethe most profitable film ever. The venture has launched a number of Marvel Comics characters into stardom, including Chris Hemsworth’sThor— so it might be surprising for fans to know he could have looked very different.
Charlie Wen, a founder of the Visual Development department at Marvel Studios whose experience also extends to Santa Monica Studio’s originalGod of Warand Riot Games' multiplayer online battle arenaLeague of legends, shared an image of his first concept art forThoron Thursday. Wen was the visual development supervisor on that first movie from 2011 according to the Internet Movie Database (IMDb), and it’s clear the first design did not have Hemsworth in mind, and featured more prominent Norse-inspired tattoos.
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One interesting thing about this concept art is that it has a similar armor design to what would eventually be used in the movie, at least judging by the pattern on his chest plate. According to Wen’s Tweet, he sat down with the Marvel Studios' president Kevin Feige immediately after 2008’sIron Manreleased to talk about designing the character, and it’s obvious that played a big part in the final outcome.
Earlier today, Wen followed up this concept art Tweet with another showing off a pre-production design for Thor that was based on Kevin McKidd ofGrey’s Anatomyfame, as he said Hemsworth did not yet have the role so, “I was trying out different actors.” Since the first MCUThorfilm, the character has received other unique designs for titles likeCrystal Dynamics' upcomingMarvel’s Avengersgame, but it is interesting to see one based off an entirely different person.
For as beloved as Chris Hemsworth’s take on the God of Thunder has become, it seems he will soon be phased out of the MCU. Part of the series' phase four of films includesThor: Love and Thunder, which is preparing to pass on his mighty status to Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster.
Fans of the character, or Norse mythology in general, owe a lot to Wen’s original efforts contributing toThor’s rise in popularity. In the years sinceThor(2011) released, that mythos has appeared in multiple AAA games as well, including Santa Monica Studio’sGod of War(2018) andUbisoft’s upcomingAssassin’s Creed Valhalla.
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