Chris Hemsworth embraces Thor’s fun side

SAN DIEGO — In Marvel Entertainment’s “Thor,” based on the long-running comic-book series, star Chris Hemsworth plays the mythical god of thunder, cast to Earth by his father to learn humility.

While Hemsworth said he wouldn’t say he has Thor’s arrogance, he did relate to Thor’s fun side.

“He has a great sense of humor. He likes to have fun. Even among all that arrogance and what have you, there’s a real fun side to him, too,” Hemsworth said in a recent interview promoting the film. “And I tried to bring that part of me out in the character.”

Though Thor knows how to have a good time, whether out with his buddies or battling frost giants, his relationship with his family isn’t all fun and games. His father, Odin (Anthony Hopkins), isn’t sure Thor is ready to rule Asgard, the dimension in which the beings once worshipped as Norse gods live. And his brother, Loki, seems to harbor some resentment toward Thor’s firstborn right to rule.

“There’s very much a relatable story with a sort of father-son aspect, and then brothers, and there’s a family, sort of complicated family,” Hemsworth said at Comic-Con. The actor said he’s attracted to scripts with familial elements.

In fact, Hemsworth’s younger brother, Liam, also had been up for the role of Thor.

“We both auditioned for it funny enough. I had an audition, didn’t hear anything, then he was in Australia and sent a tape across,” Hemsworth said. Liam auditioned for director Kenneth Branagh, but when Liam didn’t get the role, Hemsworth said he pumped his brother for some tips.

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