Chris Hemsworth: Thor Returns in Avengers: Doomsday After Addressing Fan Criticism

1 January 2026 Film and Television

Introduction: The God of Thunder’s Comeback

Chris Hemsworth is making headlines as he prepares to return to the Marvel Cinematic Universe in Avengers: Doomsday, scheduled for release on December 18, 2026. After a three-year absence from the franchise since 2022’s Thor: Love and Thunder, the Australian actor is set to reprise his iconic role as Thor, the God of Thunder. This return is particularly significant as the second Avengers: Doomsday trailer has officially revealed the first look at Chris Hemsworth’s return as Thor, showing a noticeably more serious tone that addresses previous fan concerns.

A More Serious Thor Emerges

The Avengers: Doomsday marketing campaign continued with a Thor-centric teaser that delighted many Marvel fans by standing in stark contrast to the divisively silly Thor: Love and Thunder. The new footage shows the actor in his God of Thunder look, praying to his father Odin ahead of what seems to be a final battle. This tonal shift comes after Hemsworth himself acknowledged the criticism, admitting in a 2023 GQ magazine profile that Love and Thunder was too silly for its own good.

The actor has been candid about his desire to reinvent the character. Hemsworth stated he doesn’t want to continue until people roll their eyes when they see him as the character, noting he’s loved being able to reinvent that character a few times. In the new teaser, Thor expresses concern for his adopted daughter Love, who was introduced in the previous film, adding emotional depth to his character arc.

What’s Next for Chris Hemsworth

Beyond Avengers: Doomsday, Hemsworth has several projects in development. Netflix’s Extraction franchise is set to expand with its third installment, with the actor and director Sam Hargrave revealing the news during Netflix’s Tudum event following the premiere of Extraction 2 on June 16, 2023. Additionally, Chris Hemsworth is in talks to star as the titular character in an upcoming Disney movie tentatively titled Prince Charming, with Paul King on board to direct.

The question remains whether this could be Hemsworth’s final appearance as Thor. It has been heavily discussed whether Hemsworth is getting ready to finish his time as the Marvel icon, as he has been part of the franchise since 2011, and with no word on Thor 5, it’s highly possible that The Multiverse Saga could be the end of an era for the Australian star. Marvel fans worldwide are watching closely as one of the MCU’s founding heroes potentially approaches his final battle.