Channing Tatum, who recently made his Marvel Cinematic Universe debut as Gambit in the 2024 film Deadpool & Wolverine, once auditioned for a major MCU role much earlier in his career. In a candid interview with Variety, the actor and producer revealed that in 2011 he tried out to play Thor, the God of Thunder, in Kenneth Branagh’s film Thor. However, the audition did not go as smoothly as Tatum had hoped, and he ultimately did not land the part. Despite this, Tatum confessed that he wasn’t fully committed to playing Thor, explaining his motivation was more about the opportunity to audition for Branagh himself.
“I didn’t really want to be Thor. But I wanted to audition in front of Kenneth Branagh.”
—Channing Tatum, Actor and Producer
Tatum described the difficult experience during the audition, which exposed a personal challenge he needed to overcome. After one take, Branagh instructed him to remain still, putting his hands on a chair. Tatum froze on the spot, revealing a vulnerability the director quickly noticed. This moment motivated Tatum to work on his stillness for years afterward.
“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.”
—Channing Tatum, Actor and Producer
Tatum’s Dream of Playing Gambit and the Setbacks Amidst Studio Changes
Although Tatum did not pursue the role of Thor, he had a clear passion for another Marvel character: Gambit. After Chris Hemsworth was cast as Thor, Tatum began working on a Gambit film intended to be part of 20th Century Fox’s X-Men franchise. Unfortunately, the project faced multiple delays and was ultimately canceled following Disney’s acquisition of Fox. Tatum revealed in 2022 how deeply affected he was by the cancellation, likening the loss to that of a personal friendship due to how eager he was to portray the character.
“I shut off my Marvel machine. I haven’t been able to see any of the movies. I loved that character. It was just too sad. It was like losing a friend because I was so ready to play him.”
—Channing Tatum, Actor and Producer
Despite these setbacks, Tatum finally got to bring Gambit to life, albeit briefly, in the 2024 Deadpool & Wolverine film. This cameo marked his first official appearance in the Marvel universe, closing a long chapter of anticipation and disappointment.
The Unexpected Rivalry and Second Chances Behind Chris Hemsworth’s Casting as Thor
Chris Hemsworth has become firmly associated with Thor, having appeared in nine MCU films through 2024. However, his journey to the role was far from smooth, and behind the scenes, a family rivalry almost changed everything. In 2018, Hemsworth shared on Quora the story of his early unsuccessful audition, his younger brother Liam Hemsworth’s near casting, and the resulting competition that fueled his determination.
“I had a very early audition early on in the process, didn’t go very well. My little brother had an audition, he almost got the part. Then didn’t ‘cause they said he’s a bit young so they opened the casting back up. I was really angry that he almost got the part, so I came back in with a newfound fury. And actually had to call him and say ‘How was the audition? Give me some tips,’ and he did, thankfully, and I got the part. So it was a very collaborative family event, that one. Motivated by a little brotherly rivalry.”
—Chris Hemsworth, Actor
Hemsworth’s ultimate success in capturing Thor’s essence, from his charisma to his commanding presence, has made him the definitive choice for the role in the eyes of Marvel fans. The involvement of his brother Liam, even if brief, added an emotional and competitive layer to the casting process.
Reflections on Auditions and the Impact on Marvel’s Casting Landscape
The stories of Channing Tatum and Chris Hemsworth reveal how unpredictable and intense the casting process can be in Hollywood, especially within the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Tatum’s early attempt to join as Thor ended in failure, but shaped his growth in important ways, while Hemsworth’s persistence after a rocky start led to one of the franchise’s defining portrayals. Their experiences underline how resilience and timing can significantly alter careers.
For Tatum, his decades-long desire to embody Gambit finally found a place, even if not in the originally envisioned way. Hemsworth’s journey also reminds fans that every iconic character chosen carries stories of rivalry and second chances behind the scenes. Together, these narratives exemplify how complex and personal casting decisions are and how they shape the larger Marvel storytelling universe.
