In 2017, Joel Kinnaman revealed that auditioning for Thor marked his first attempt at securing an American role. He shared on Live with Kelly and Ryan that he was one of the final contenders.
“I don’t know exactly how close, but I think I was sort of in the runner-up,”
Kinnaman said. He learned from his sister that he was listed as a frontrunner by The Guardian, though he himself hadn’t been informed.
“Nobody had told me about it, but it was me and three other guys [in the running],”
he added. Despite his strong consideration, Kinnaman has yet to join the Marvel Cinematic Universe but later starred as Rick Flag in the Suicide Squad films.
Alan Ritchson’s Audition and Missed Opportunity
Alan Ritchson also tried out for the role of Thor but acknowledged that his audition did not go well. In an interview with Men’s Health, he admitted, “I didn’t take it seriously,” and recounted,
“I was like, ‘They’ll throw me the part if I look like the guy; nobody really cares about acting.’”
However, casting directors believed he lacked the necessary craft for portraying the character, which ultimately prevented him from landing the part.
The Impact of Near Castings on Thor’s Screen Legacy
These close calls highlight the intense competition behind the scenes for the role of Thor, with actors like Joel Kinnaman and Alan Ritchson nearly securing the part that would launch Chris Hemsworth into global stardom. Their experiences also stress the importance of both physical appearance and acting skill in such a high-profile role. While Hemsworth remains the iconic Thor of the MCU, recognizing those who came close underscores the complexity of casting this legendary character and hints at the different paths the franchise might have taken.
