Initially hesitant about improvisation in Ghostbusters, Chris Hemsworth, faced with the film’s backlash, saw no sequel but found comedy success elsewhere.
In the glittering world of Hollywood, even the most celebrated actors occasionally find themselves grappling with self-doubt. Such was the case for the talented Chris Hemsworth when he took on a role that left him haunted by uncertainty. The charismatic actor, known for his iconic portrayal of Thor, recently opened up about his apprehensions regarding the 2016 reboot of Ghostbusters.
Chris Hemsworth on Challenge of Improvisation in Ghostbusters
In a candid interview, Hemsworth revealed that he harbored serious reservations about his involvement in Ghostbusters: Answer the Call. The source of his anxiety? The film’s director, Paul Feig, had requested him to step into the unfamiliar territory of improvisation. For Hemsworth, whose career had been built on meticulously crafted scripts, this was uncharted waters.
Hemsworth recounted,
I said to Paul [Feig], “There’s not a whole lot on the page, like, what do you want me doing?’ He said, “Oh, we’ll figure it out when you get here.” So I said, “Okay, why not? Let’s go.”
Little did he know that this leap of faith would send shivers down his spine.
The actor’s trepidation only grew as he immersed himself in the project.
And I got there, turned up to the studio the day before we started shooting and he handed me the script, I read the script and I said, “There’s still nothing in here. Like, what am I doing?” And he said, “It’s okay, we’re gonna improvise and have fun.” And, my immediate reaction was, this is not only the end of my career, but I’m going to ruin this film, I’m gonna let everyone down, I haven’t done this before, what am I doing?
In Ghostbusters, Hemsworth played the endearingly quirky Kevin Beckman, the receptionist for the titular paranormal investigators. The reboot featured an ensemble cast that included Melissa McCarthy, Leslie Jones, Michael K. Williams, and Kate McKinnon, alongside iconic figures from the 1984 original, such as Bill Murray, Dan Aykroyd, and Ernie Hudson. However, the film faced an uphill battle from the moment its first trailer was unveiled, with a wave of sexist backlash against the female-led production generating a record number of dislikes on YouTube.
Despite receiving mostly positive reviews from critics, Answer the Call struggled at the box office, grossing $229.1 million against a $144 million budget. Its supernatural comedy appealed to some but left others unimpressed, reflected in a 49% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Subsequently, Sony abandoned plans for a direct follow-up, instead setting its sights on Ghostbusters: Afterlife, which concluded filming in July.
How Ghostbusters Transformed Chris Hemsworth’s Career?
Nevertheless, Chris Hemsworth’s journey into the world of improvisation didn’t end with Ghostbusters. His castmates on that project helped him find his footing in the comedic realm, a skill he would later put to excellent use in Thor: Ragnarok, widely regarded as the Thor franchise’s finest installment. Hemsworth further embraced comedy in the most recent Thor entry, Love and Thunder, although he later confessed that the film was perhaps a tad too lighthearted for his liking.
Hemsworth has continued to diversify his repertoire since his Ghostbusters days. He recently graced screens in the Netflix action thriller, Extraction 2, receiving acclaim from critics. Fans can look forward to his upcoming role in the Mad Max prequel, Furiosa, and his crime thriller alongside Pedro Pascal, Crime 101, which has been picked up by Prime Video.
In retrospect, Chris Hemsworth’s anxiety over Ghostbusters may have been unwarranted, as the experience ultimately contributed to his growth as an actor. It’s a reminder that even the most established stars must sometimes confront their fears to reach new heights in their careers. So, whether it’s wielding Mjölnir as the God of Thunder or answering phones in a haunted firehouse, Chris Hemsworth continues to prove himself as a versatile and fearless performer in the ever-changing landscape of Hollywood.