A different Marvel Cinematic Universe star was almost cast in the lead role of Thor for Phase 1. As the MCU timeline became one of the most popular franchises in Hollywood, Marvel Studios spent several years building up its core characters that would ultimately become the Avengers, establishing them as staple players in Kevin Feige’s universe.

One of the instrumental entries in the first slate of films before 2012’s The Avengers was the Thor movie, bringing the Asgardian hero to the big screen, with Kenneth Branagh helming the 2011 outing. For the тιтular role, Chris Hemsworth was tapped as the Marvel icon and has now starred in the role for nearly two decades.

Channing Tatum Could Have Been The MCU’s Thor

While the Australian actor landed one of the biggest superhero gigs in May 2009, Thor was obviously a role many actors in Hollywood were auditioning for before Marvel Studios made their choice. It turns out that an actor who very recently joined the comic book franchise also tried out for the 2011 film.

In a new interview with Variety, Channing Tatum opened up about how he initially auditioned for the role of Thor. However, the 45-year-old actor admitted that when he tried out for the part, he wasn’t really fully invested in the idea of taking on the comic book hero. Tatum shared the following about his experience auditioning in front of Branagh:

I didn’t really want to be Thor. But I wanted to audition in front of Kenneth Branagh. After I did one take, [Branagh] was like, “You’re not allowed to move. Put your hands on this chair.” And I froze. He nailed my crutch. I spent the next five years really trying to learn stillness.

While he didn’t join the MCU during Phase 1, Tatum would later be cast as Remy LeBeau, a.k.a. Gambit, for Fox’s X-Men universe, with initial plans to headline his own film. Even though this never came to fruition, the 21 Jump Street actor finally got his due in 2024’s ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine.

Not only did his rendition of the popular X-Men hero become one of the breakout characters of the Phase 5 film, but Marvel Studios is getting ready to bring Tatum’s Gambit back in Phase 6. In March 2025, Tatum was one of the many stars who were revealed to be joining the Avengers: Doomsday cast.

Our Take On Channing Tatum’s Thor Comments

While it would have been a very different experience if Tatum had joined the franchise all the way back in Phase 1 as Thor, it’s clear from his comments that it would never have been a perfect fit. Given what Hemsworth has delivered in all of his appearances, the Thor movie history makes it evident that he was the right choice.

Had things played out differently in 2009, Tatum’s turn in ᴅᴇᴀᴅpool & Wolverine wouldn’t have happened, potentially including his Gambit return in Avengers: Doomsday. While he may never have gotten to play Thor, Tatum will at least get to co-star alongside Hemsworth in 2026.