2 Years Before Their Breakout MCU Role, This Actor Made Their Cinematic Debut in a Beloved Sci-Fi Film (2024)

In 2009, J.J. Abrams rebooted the beloved Star Trek franchise for the big screen. The cast included several big stars, like Chris Pine, Simon Pegg and Zoë Saldaña. Fresh faces littered the cast, some that would quickly rise in stardom far beyond the little screen time they enjoyed in this blockbuster hit. Looking back, some fans might be surprised to see Marvel's Thor playing the small role of Captain Kirk's father, George, especially considering that George Kirk sacrifices himself in the opening scene.

Chris Hemsworth jumped from television to film with his short appearance in the opening of Abrams' Star Trek. As he sacrifices himself to save his family, he and his wife try and decide what to name their baby, ultimately deciding to call him Jim. With so few lines, the role gave Hemsworth little room to show off his acting chops, but the part was clearly the first big domino to fall in a long line of impressive roles and many blockbuster hits.

Chris Hemsworth Hit the Ground Running From the Start

It Took Little Time to go from Featured Extra to Leading Man

As a teenager, Hemsworth began landing bit parts across a handful of television shows. His work led him to an Australian soap opera, Home and Away, where he became a recurring character. In three and a half years, he appeared in an impressive 194 episodes. This fast-paced work environment proved to be fertile ground for learning how to work in the television and film industry. He departed the show to focus on his film career, a gambit that clearly paid off.

Star Trek was his first feature film, but between exploring space and donning Thor's cape, he took on the role of several other characters. In A Perfect Getaway, Hemsworth plays Kale, a hot-headed tourist who the protagonists think might be a murderer. In Ca$h, he plays Sam Phelan, a man who happens upon a suitcase full of cash. He convinces his wife to use the money, but when Sean Bean's character finds them and demands his money back, they are forced to commit multiple robberies. He then joined Damon Lindelof's short film, Ollie Klublershturf vs. the Nazis, before finally making his debut as Thor.

Marvel Saw Hemsworth's Potential Early

Chris Hemsworth and the MCU Grew Side-by-Side

Chris Hemsworth made his MCU debut as the titular character in the 2011 follow-up to Iron Man 2. The reign of Marvel was in its early days. The success of a shared universe was still up in the air. Aside from Robert Downey Jr., no actor had yet carried more than one film. Hemsworth would be second to do so, followed closely by Chris Evans as Captain America. Now he is the only character with four solo films and potentially more on the way.

Between filming the original Thor and The Avengers, Hemsworth starred in another Joss Whedon film — The Cabin in the Woods, a comedy horror movie that gave audiences who were familiar with Thor a chance to see Hemsworth in a role outside of The God of Thunder. He played Curt, the stereotypical jock character in a horror film who has more brawn than brains.

While Marvel gave Thor some humor from the start, the character became less and less stiff with each appearance. The forgettable Thor: The Dark World saw the character at a low point, but Hemsworth and company reinvented Thor to universal praise in Thor: Ragnarok. After grappling with failure in Avengers: Endgame, Thor returned in Love and Thunder, to a polarizing response. Hemsworth himself commented on the disappointing outcome of the film, noting how he "became a parody of himself".

Hemsworth also transformed the MCU behind the camera. While on set for In The Heart of the Sea, Hemsworth met the up-and-coming star, Tom Holland. Sony and Marvel were in the process of casting the MCU's Spiderman at the time. While on set, Holland asked Hemsworth to put in a good word for him, leaving the world to wonder if that little nudge from Hemsworth was enough for Holland to get his foot in the door and land the role.

In classic Marvel fashion, the latest Thor film ended with the promise that 'Thor Will Return'. The details of that promise have yet to be revealed. Avengers: Doomsday and Avengers: Secret Wars arrive in May 2026 and May 2027, respectfully. His inclusion is all but guaranteed as he and the other Marvel heroes face off against Robert Downey Jr.'s Dr. Doom. Rumors of Thor 5 are already circulating and hint at a new creative team and direction for the franchise. Disney and Marvel officially confirmed Hemsworth's inclusion in What if...? Season 3, which arrives on Disney Plus at the end of the year.

Chris Hemsworth Shines Outside of His Thor Persona

He's Already Proven to be More than a Handsome-Faced Action Hero

During his breaks from his Marvel appearances, Hemsworth has continued to explore other popular franchises, with mixed success. Despite his insecurities, he flexed his comedic skills alongside Melissa McCarthy and Kristen Wiig in 2016's Ghostbusters. He played the huntsman in Snow White and The Huntsman, re-teamed with Tessa Thompson for Men in Black: International, joined the Mad Max universe as Dementus in Furiosa, and voiced Optimus Prime in Transformers One.

Despite the ups and downs of Hemsworth's box office success, Hollywood can't seem to get enough of him. In the fifteen years since his silver screen debut, he's starred in at least one movie every single year, with no sign of slowing down. Aside from continued life as Thor, Hemsworth will soon reteam with the Russo brothers and reprise his role as Tyler Rake in Extraction 3. He is also rumored to play Prince Charming in a live action Disney film.

Looking back, his scene as George Kirk was the first bit of snow rolling down the mountain and what will continue to be a promising and notable career. It takes a talented actor to find his way to blockbuster feature films, but a true star to turn fifteen minutes of fame into a lasting, beloved and praise-worthy career.

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10

Star Trek

PG-13

Sci-Fi

Action

Adventure

A young, rebellious James T. Kirk and the logical, disciplined Spock are thrust together aboard the USS Enterprise. Facing a formidable Romulan enemy from the future, they must overcome their differences and work as a team to save the galaxy.

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Director

J.J. Abrams

Cast

Chris Pine , Zoe Saldana , Zachary Quinto , Simon Pegg

Studio(s)

Paramount Pictures

Distributor(s)

Paramount Pictures

Franchise(s)

Star Trek

Release Date

May 8, 2009

Writers

Roberto Orci , Alex Kurtzman , Gene Roddenberry

Runtime

127 Minutes

Main Genre

Sci-Fi

Budget

$150 million

Sequel(s)

Star Trek Into Darkness , Star Trek Beyond