The Marvel Cinematic Universe has some of the best casting in the history of Hollywood, and it is often hard to imagine other performers in those roles, especially ones that had such incredible prospects as Thor. The film is well known to have had many actors considered for the lead, with Tom Hiddleston even auditioning for Thor. However, before deciding to move forward with Chris Hemsworth in the role, a WWE wrestler was considered for the part in what now seems like a genuinely confusing choice.
Wrestlers turning to acting is no new thing. Many wrestlers have played superheroes or villains throughout the years, and generally, they have been quite good. Dwayne Johnson has risen to become one of the biggest stars in Hollywood, and performers including Dave Bautista and John Cena have also carved out excellent places for themselves in cinema. However, some casting prospects from the WWE seem genuinely strange, including one choice who may have gone quite far in the process of being cast as Thor.
Triple H Was Reportedly In The Running For The MCU’s Thor Alongside Chris Hemsworth
The Actor Was One Of A Few Performers Mentioned For The Role
According to a 2009 ᴅᴇᴀᴅline report, Paul Michael Levesque, better known as the wrestler Triple H, was up for the role of Thor alongside Chris Hemsworth and Kevin McKidd. While Chris Hemsworth has been incredible in the role, as discussions of Thor’s replacement in the MCU continue, it is interesting to reflect on what might have been in the franchise. Hemsworth was a lesser-known star at the time, and it would certainly have been possible for another actor to take on the role.
It is now difficult to imagine someone like Triple H playing Thor in the MCU, but much of that is because of what we have become used to in the franchise. Hemsworth was so handsome and charismatic that he was able to bring a unique charm to the character. Rather than tapping into the darker and more brutal side of the myths that influenced Thor’s Marvel Comics story, the character was molded to Hemsworth’s performance in order to create something truly memorable and unique.
Why Triple H Could Have Been A Fascinating MCU Thor
The Wrestler Would Have Brought A Unique Intensity To The Role
Still, other choices for the role of Thor could have been just as good, in different ways. Telling darker stories of the pantheon of Marvel gods, more akin to the God of War PlayStation video games, could have worked with a performer like Triple H at the center. Known for his villainous roles in WWE stories, the famed wrestler could have brought his incredible skills of intimidation and power to the role. It would have been a very different take on the character, but it also could have worked well for the franchise.
Thor is not scary in the MCU, but he certainly could be. There is a lot to Thor’s powers and abilities that could be cast in a very different light, and the performance would be a major part of that. Bringing in a wrestler who has been known to play villainous characters would give the god an immediately darker sheen that could be used well in the franchise. This would also have made for an interesting contrast between Thor and the rest of the team in The Avengers.
The MCU’s Thor Could Have Been So Different To The Version Of The Hero We Know Today
There Are Many Different Ways Thor Could Have Been Portrayed, For Better And Worse
While we can now consider recasting Thor in the MCU, I am glad that Hemsworth played the role up to now. Still, I can’t help but wonder about the other directions the character could have gone. While Triple H may not have fit into the comedic stories of Thor: Ragnarok or Thor: Love and Thunder, his brutal intensity could have elevated a film like Thor: The Dark World. Imagining the wrestler in this role could have made for a totally different franchise that is worth reflecting on.
In the comics, Thor has traditionally been much different from his cinematic counterpart. The MCU films took great creative liberties with Thor and made him much funnier, much more accessible, and much less intimidating. If, however, they had cast an actor like Triple H, this would likely have gone a different direction. Rather than the fun and silly Thor, a darker and more intense Thor could have helped to tell different stories in the MCU, and would have cast the world of gods in an entirely different light.
I believe Hemsworth was the right choice for Thor in the MCU, although other actors could have potentially done as good a job. Still, it is fun to reflect on how interesting some of the disparate choices for the characters would have been within the role. Triple H and Chris Hemsworth are such different performers that it is hard to imagine they were both up for the same role in Thor. With that said, it would be fun to see Triple H take on another role in the Marvel Universe in the years to come.
Upcoming MCU Movies
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Captain America: Brave New World
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February 14, 2025
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Thunderbolts*
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May 2, 2025
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The Fantastic Four: First Steps
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July 25, 2025
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Avengers: Doomsday (2026)
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Spider-Man Homecoming 4
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July 24, 2026
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Avengers: Secret Wars
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May 7, 2027
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