The actor who almost stole Australian hunk Chris Hemsworth’s thunder as Thor

For the past nine years, hunky Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, 36, has flaunted his buff physique as Marvel’s superhero Thor.

But on Saturday, it was revealed Chris was not actually the studio’s first choice to play the role of the hammer-wielding Norse god.

The iconic part that skyrocketed Chris’ Hollywood career almost went to a popular British actor 10 years his senior.

Since debuting as the superhero in 2011, Chris has starred in seven movies as Thor, with Thor: Love and Thunder scheduled for release in 2022.

The co-founder of Marvel Studios’ visual development department, Charlie Wen, shared the little-known fact to Instagram over the weekend. 

According to Charlie, Grey’s Anatomy actor Kevin McKidd, 46, [who plays Owen Hunt] was being considered for Thor years before he joined the medical drama. 

He shared early Thor concept artwork, and claimed: ‘This was done even before preproduction started. I was trying out different actors to base Thor on since @chrishemsworth didn’t have the role yet at the time. This was based on @therealkmckidd.’ 

Interestingly, Kevin previously suggested the Marvel rumours in 2007 were ”semi-true’.

The Rome actor told IGN at the time: ‘I actually didn’t know anything about it until I heard the rumours and called my agent and he said: “Yeah, we’re talking to them.” They want to go for someone younger for the role, a 19 or 20-year-old.’ 

Chris previously confessed to Jimmy Kimmel that he’s stolen a few of Thor’s hammers [Mjolnir] over the last decade for personal use.

The actor told the TV host in 2018 that he had at least five hammers at home, with one taking pride of place in his bathroom. 

Chris and Spanish actress wife Elsa Pataky have been married since 2010 and share three children; daughter India, nine, and twins Tristan and Sasha, six.

The family reside in Byron Bay, after leaving Hollywood in 2015.