Tom Hiddleston Reveals the Hilarious Reason Chris Hemsworth Was Cast as Thor Instead of Him

Tom Hiddleston, who has become synonymous with the role of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, recently opened up about why Chris Hemsworth was chosen to play his on-screen brother, Thor, rather than him. The revelation came during a short promotional video for the Disney+ series Loki, titled Untold: Tom Hiddleston. In the video, Hiddleston reflects on his time portraying the God of Mischief and the physical demands of the Marvel superhero roles.

Hiddleston recalled a particularly grueling moment during the training sessions for the Thor films when he had a chance to compete against Hemsworth in the gym. “There was at one point in the training… there was like a thing of 1,000 meters on the rowing machine, 100 pull-ups, 100 push-ups, and 100 squats, and doing it for time,” Hiddleston explained, adding that Hemsworth’s performance on the board was often impressive. The actor, determined to match his co-star’s physical prowess, decided to give it a shot.

With a chuckle, Hiddleston admitted, “I didn’t get past 15 pull-ups, so that’s the reason he was cast as Thor.” The playful admission highlights the stark physical contrast between the two actors, further emphasizing why Hemsworth, with his impressive physique and stamina, was a better fit to take on the role of the mighty Thor, the God of Thunder.

The revelation isn’t entirely new. Hiddleston had previously shared that he had initially auditioned for the role of Thor back in 2011, only to land the role of Loki instead. In a 2019 appearance on The Tonight Show Starring Jimmy Fallon, Hiddleston reflected on his journey in the MCU, noting that playing Loki had become a defining part of his life. “I have been playing Loki now for 11 years, which is just over 25 percent of my entire life,” Hiddleston shared.

While Hiddleston may not have the physicality to play Thor, his portrayal of Loki has become iconic. Over the course of three Thor films, three Avengers films, and his own Disney+ series, Loki, Hiddleston has cemented himself as one of the most beloved characters in the MCU, with fans eagerly anticipating what’s next for the God of Mischief.