With the Marvel Cinematic Universe rumored to be going for a reboot in the not so distant future, there are a few great options to replace Chris Hemsworth as Thor when the time comes. Hemsworth first played the God of Thunder in 2011’s Thor, with the actor continuing in the role to this day, despite the other members of the MCU’s main trio of heroes — Iron Man, Captain America, and Thor — having left the franchise. Hemsworth’s Thor movies have reached a mark that no other hero has.
The actor is the only one to have led four solo movies, with a possible Thor 5 rumored to be in the works at Marvel Studios. Even if the actor returns for another solo adventure as Thor, his time as the Norse god might be coming to an end. The MCU is rumored to be looking at a major overhaul. Avengers: Secret Wars could reboot the MCU to allow the original Avengers, the Fantastic Four, and the MCU’s X-Men to exist at the same time. If that ends up happening, some great options could step up as the new Thor.
10 Liam Hemsworth Would Be Perfect Meta Casting As Thor
Known For: The Hunger Games Franchise, The Expandables 2, The Witcher, And More
Liam Hemsworth is none other than Chris Hemworth’s younger brother. The actor is six years younger than the MCU star and has yet to join the franchise. Hemsworth’s casting as the new Thor would be an excellent bit of meta fun, and the actor has the skills to do right by the character. Hemsworth is set to take over from Henry Cavill as Geralt of Rivia in The Witcher. As MCU fans have asked for a more serious tone for Thor, Hemsworth’s experience in the fantasy franchise would be invaluable for his possible MCU role.
9 Liam McIntyre Has Marvel Voice Acting Experience
Known For: Spartacus, The Flash, Justice League: Crisis on Infinite Earths – Part One, And More
Liam McIntyre has the looks and the experience playing both gritty characters and major comic book superheroes. McIntyre’s lead role in Spartacus shows that he would excel as Thor in fight sequences, with the actor also having the acting chops to make the God of Thunder a compelling player in the new MCU. In the voice acting realm, McIntyre has voiced Aquaman in a series of DC movies, while the actor has been cast as Logan in the upcoming Marvel’s Wolverine game from Insomniac Games.
8 Alex Pettyfer Could Use Thor As His Big Break
Known For: I Am Number Four, Magic Mike, In Time, And More
When Alex Pettyfer led the 2011 book adaptation I Am Number Four, it seemed like the actor was on the way to becoming a star. However, Pettyfer never really made good on his potential. Still young at 33, Pettyfer could make that right as Thor in the MCU reboot. The actor has the same charm Hemsworth displayed in the role and has shown in past roles that he can achieve the physicality needed for Thor. Pettyfer could be one of the MCU’s leads for at least a decade in the rebooted universe.
7 Alan Ritchson Already Auditioned To Play Thor
Known For: Reacher, Smallville, Titans, And More
Alan Ritchson has revealed that he lost out on Thor, saying, “I didn’t take it seriously. I was like, ‘They’ll throw me the part if I look like the guy; nobody really cares about acting.’” After his failed audition to play the character, Ritchson would be able to do right by Thor years later in the MCU reboot. The actor is not only known for his intimidating physique, a must for anyone who follows Hemsworth, but he has experience with superhero roles in Smallville and Titans. With Reacher‘s success, Ritchson would also bring in a big audience to the MCU.
6 Scott Eastwood Is A Popular Superhero Fancast
Known For: Suicide Squad, The Fast And The Furious Franchise, Pacific Rim Uprising, And More
Scott Eastwood was rumored to play Deathstroke in DC’s Suicide Squad; however, the actor only ended up playing a minor role in the film. The actor is a popular fancast for multiple MCU roles, including that of Wolverine. While Eastwood would be great for Logan, the actor’s ability to play sarcastic, action-heavy, and charming roles well could also make him a great fit to succeed Hemsworth as Thor. Eastwood also has the Thor look down.
5 Zac Efron Could Potentially Be The Closest To Hemsworth’s Thor
Known For: The High School Musical Franchise, The Iron Claw, The Greatest Showman, And More
Coming off what could have been an award-winning performance in The Iron Claw if A24 had planned the movie’s release better, Zac Efron is one of the most talented and popular actors that the MCU could enlist. Efron has succeeded in a wide variety of genres, with the actor’s long list of comedies making him the perfect fit to continue Hemsworth’s current direction with Thor if that is what the MCU plans for him. Alternatively, his The Iron Claw role or his time as serial killer Ted Bundy show Efron has the dramatic skills to add incredible depth to Thor.
4 Alexander Ludwig Has Action Experience For Thor In Spades
Known For: Vikings, Heels, The Hunger Games, And More
Alexander Ludwig has the looks, the acting skills, and the experience to bring the perfect warrior, Thor, to the possible MCU reboot. Ludwig’s breakout role as Björn Ironside in Vikings proved that the actor could convincingly portray one of Marvel’s best fighters, with his TV series allowing for an exciting Easter egg if he were cast as Thor, as both pull from Norse mythology. Ludwig’s fight experience was further shown opposite Arrow‘s Stephen Amell in Heels, which was created by MCU mainstay writer Michael Waldron.
3 Sam Heughan Is The Perfect Thor For A Fantasy-Heavy Story
Known For: Outlander, Bloodshot, The Spy Who Dumped Me, And More
Sam Heughan looks pitch-perfect to play the MCU’s Thor in the rumored reboot. The actor’s role in the popular Outlander has shown that he could easily lead his own corner of the MCU, bringing the Thor franchise’s fantasy elements back to the forefront. Hemsworth’s first Thor movie was the only to really delve into Asgard as a realm and the bigger mythology behind it. With Heughan, the MCU could full-on explore that, having Thor travel through the nine realms and perhaps become King Thor.
2 Leo Suter Could Become Well-Known Through Thor
Known For: Vikings: Valhalla, Fallen, Victoria, And More
At 30 years old, Leo Suter’s only major role is that of Harald Sigurdsson in Vikings: Valhalla. In the series, Suter’s character is known for being an expert fighter, a charismatic leader, and a true friend to those he holds dear — all perfect qualities for Thor. Suter’s path to stardom could be the same as Hemsworth’s, with the actor making Thor a fan-favorite in the new MCU. Suter could play Thor for years to come, and his experience with Norse mythology would help him do that.
1 Sam Claflin Would Be Pitch-Perfect As The Rebooted MCU’s Thor
Known For: The Hunger Games Franchise, Enola Holmes, Peaky Blinders, And More
Sam Claflin is most famously known for portraying Finnick Odair in The Hunger Games movies. As one of the best characters in the young adult franchise, Claflin has shown that he can stand out as Thor among the new actors who would be part of the MCU’s reboot. The star has the looks to pull off a comic book-accurate Thor, the physicality needed for the role — with The Hunger Games showcasing his fighting skills — and a charisma that could make him a beloved MCU lead as Thor.
