How Did Thor’s Appearance Change in Avengers: Endgame?
Thor’s appearance changed significantly in Avengers: Endgame due to his depression. He was so depressed that he drank, ate, neglected his subjects, didn’t care how he looked, and was resigned to staying that way until Hulk, Rocket, and the others slowly pulled him out of that. This emotional state was reflected in his physical state, showcasing a more casual and unkempt look compared to his typical heroic appearance.
Specifically, Chris Hemsworth wore a 70-pound fat suit while filming Endgame, which was made of an intricate latex designed to mimic human skin. He needed assistance to get into the suit, which included padding to make his cheeks appear fatter. Despite the challenges, Hemsworth enjoyed the experience, humorously referring to his fellow Avengers sitting on his lap like a big ol’ grandpa.
Additionally, directors Joe and Anthony Russo explained that after the events of Infinity War, Thor packed on the pounds as a manifestation of his feelings of failure and grief. They aimed to showcase how Thor was processing his emotions, stating, ‘We wanted them all to process it in very different ways,’ highlighting Thor as an exceedingly tragic character who had always been groomed for kingship. This change in his physical appearance represents a deep character transformation, as he becomes self-destructive and embodies his struggles with depression and pain.
The physical change of Thor—his beer-chugging, Lebowski-like transformation—wasn’t merely played for laughs. Anthony Russo mentioned, ‘Even though there’s a lot of fun to be had in the movie with his physical condition, it’s not a gag. It’s a manifestation of where he is on a character level, and we think it’s one of the most relatable aspects of him.’ This perspective allows audiences to connect with Thor, as it reflects common responses to emotional turmoil.
Moreover, the Russos indicated that Thor’s weight gain was a conscious decision to reflect a character dealing with depression. They posed the question, ‘What would happen if that character became extremely angry and started to punish himself and didn’t care anymore?’ This led to Thor becoming an alcoholic who doesn’t care about himself, emphasizing the serious undertones behind his physical transformation.
The once cut and golden god now has matted hair, a scraggly, unkempt beard, and, most controversially, a large beer gut. His hair was long and matted, his beard thick and full, his physique larger and without tone, and his disposition not nearly as chipper or heroic as in previous appearances.
The change in the God of Thunder’s physique has been a conversation point since Endgame, with varying opinions about the bold creative choice. Some justified it considering the perceived PTSD that brought on his weight gain, while others accused Marvel Studios of using it to get cheap laughs.
Notably, the screenwriters said they deliberately ended ‘Avengers: Endgame’ with Thor still in his heavier state to prove that his weight was inconsequential to his arc in the film. ‘He’s emotionally resolved. We fix his problem, and it’s not his weight,’ Markus said.
If you are talking about Thor’s ‘casual’ look in Endgame then there is a much simpler answer. He is depressed. So depressed that he drinks…
Behind the Scenes: Thor’s Transformation Process
One of the newly released clips dives into Chris Hemsworth’s take on ‘new Thor’ as seen throughout the events of Endgame. Behind-the-scenes Avengers: Endgame footage shows Thor’s transformation. The clip highlights chiseled Chris Hemsworth’s transformation, as well as the humor and heart he brought to this new version of Thor.
‘Being able to do this new version of Thor is hugely liberating and fun,’ he shares with the cameras. Likewise, Tessa Thompson remarks, ‘He’d been playing the character for a while and wanted to find something new.’
Thor became Lebowski Thor, showcasing the Asgardian god’s ironic human reaction to failure: overwhelming, all-consuming grief.
Furthermore, Chris Hemsworth revealed how he transformed into “fat Thor,” stating, “Being able to do this new version of Thor, it’s hugely liberating and fun.”
Did Chris Hemsworth Gain Weight for Fat Thor?
No, Chris Hemsworth didn’t actually get fat for the movie Avengers: Endgame.
He wore a latex body suit, constructed by the production team, that allowed him to portray the character’s transformation.
While filming, the actor had to shoot in a fat suit that weighed anywhere between sixty to seventy pounds. On top of that, he had to wear layers and layers of clothing and stuff the sides of his mouth to make his cheeks look fuller.
What Impact Did Thor’s New Look Have on the Story?
In Endgame, Thor is depicted as depressed and somewhat comical. He often uses humor as a coping mechanism for his grief and feelings of inadequacy.
This portrayal can feel jarring, especially given the more serious and heroic tone of his character in the previous films. While some viewers appreciated this portrayal as a realistic response to his losses, others felt it undermined his previous development.
Ultimately, Thor’s arc in Endgame serves to highlight themes of loss, failure, and redemption. However, it sparked debate among fans about the balance between humor and character consistency. Your reaction reflects a valid perspective on how the character’s portrayal may have diverged from the trajectory established in earlier films.
Thor was severely depressed after five years. His arc in Endgame didn’t stray from his character development at all. He had been depressed since losing his mother, father, brother (permanently this time thanks to Thanos), his home, and half of his people (again, thanks to Thanos). He tried to kill Thanos but made a mistake by not going for the head.
This Thor absolutely is one that was annoying, depressing, and pitiful. Nevertheless, he was more interesting than he has probably ever been. His journey has been riddled with exile, being stripped of power, betrayal, and the death of family, culminating in losing his status and being forced into a state of despair.
Having undergone the loss of everything he loves, his change in appearance reflects his downward spiral into depression. During Avengers: Endgame, Thor undergoes a physiological development that indicates his mental state.
Here’s how Marvel Studios created Fat Thor (Chris Hemsworth) for Avengers: Endgame – and why Thor bounces back to full health in Thor: Love and Thunder. The humor of Taika Waititi’s Thor: Ragnarok had a significant influence on the character’s Endgame transformation, as explained by co-director Joe Russo.
Exploring the Reactions to Thor’s Drastic Change
In Avengers: Endgame, after witnessing Thanos murder his brother Loki and the destruction of billions, Thor’s physical appearance changed drastically as he succumbed to grief. He buried this grief in booze and snacks, resulting in a softer, more self-conscious version of himself. This transformation sparked mixed reactions among fans.
- Some found humor in ‘Fat Thor’, while others felt it regressed his character development and trivialized his depression.
- Reactions to Thor’s new look split fans. Some appreciated the comedic angle, while others criticized the portrayal of his size as a punchline, expressing concern that it undermined his previous character growth.
- The discussion continues about whether ‘Fat Thor’ will appear again in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, especially with his new mission alongside the Guardians of the Galaxy.
The approach the screenwriters took in crafting Thor’s new look was akin to a ‘What If?’ narrative. They explored how the characters would change after suffering devastating losses. Initially, they considered sending Thor on a mission of vengeance. Ultimately, they decided to depict his descent into alcoholism and emotional turmoil, leading to his notable physical change.
Following Endgame’s five-year time jump, it was revealed that the God of Thunder was wallowing in the time since decapitating Thanos, becoming an overweight alcoholic in the process. Thor looked less like the chiseled god of thunder and more like the Dude from The Big Lebowski. His hair was long and matted, his beard thick and full, and his physique larger and without tone. His disposition was not nearly as chipper or confident as it once was.
During this time, the Avengers grappled with their grief in different ways. The Avenger most affected was Thor. Before the loss felt from Infinity War, he had already lost so much in a short amount of time. He also blamed himself for the snap, believing he didn’t go for the head when he had the chance. Witnessing the death of his brother, followed by the deaths of billions of living things across the galaxy, profoundly impacted him. It changed nearly everything about him, most noticeably his physical appearance.
While some considered ‘Fat Thor’ laughable, branding it as ‘fat shaming’, the Russo brothers clarified that it is not about that at all. They emphasized the need to understand the complexities of PTSD, depression, and the human condition. Despite the fun derived from his physical condition, it is not merely a gag. Instead, it manifests where he is on a character level and represents one of the most relatable aspects of his character. A beer-chugging, Lebowski-like alteration to Thor’s physical appearance reflects a character’s already devil-may-care tendencies taken to self-destructive conclusions.
Is Thor’s Transformation a Sign of Character Development?
In Avengers: Endgame, Thor’s drastic transformation is a reflection of his internal struggles. This showcases deep character development. Wracked with guilt over his perceived failures against Thanos and the loss of his brother Loki, Thor turns to unhealthy coping mechanisms. As a result, he undergoes significant physical and psychological change. He becomes less confident, indulging in drinking beer and distancing himself from his responsibilities, contrasting sharply with his earlier portrayals as the chiseled god of thunder. This evolution illustrates a complex character arc, emphasizing that even heroes can experience profound emotional turmoil.
Hemsworth discussed Thor’s evolution and how he, along with the directors, wanted to depict a more vulnerable side of the character. They engaged in extensive discussions to push Thor’s limits and explore a different aspect of his personality. This contrasts with the more confident and powerful images seen in Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers: Infinity War. This demonstrates a conscious choice to illustrate a more nuanced and relatable journey for Thor, marking a significant shift in character development.
As one of the original Avengers, Thor (Chris Hemsworth) has undergone just as much character development as anyone else in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. After his first two solo films fell flat, the character rebounded with Thor: Ragnarok and has massive roles in both Avengers: Infinity War and Avengers: Endgame. Speaking with the Los Angeles Times, Infinity War and Endgame scribes Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely broke down the Asgardian’s transformation over the course of his last three movie appearances.
Basically, from his first movie, he is headed for the throne. He has all this burden of purpose on him. His arc in all these movies is learning to let go of what people expect of him and embrace what he himself feels he is. It turns out Hemsworth is a really good actor. He’s not just gorgeous, he’s funny. It’s been such a great second half of the MCU for him.
In Endgame, the character underwent his biggest physical transformation yet as he put on some weight in the five-year time jump after relying on pizza and beer. The writing duo itted they didn’t want to ditch the look before the final fight. They stated, “And the idea is that this is who he is now and he’s still a hero.”
I think what his mother tells him, “Don’t be who you’re supposed to be, be the best version of who you are,” includes that. They didn’t want to treat the weight gain like the issue that he needed to get over. They emphasized, “Thor got fat and now he needs to go on a diet.” Instead, he needs to feel OK about himself no matter who he is.
Thor might have been progressing as a character throughout his long tenure in the MCU, but he hasn’t had the easiest run. He has lost everything, so it makes sense that he would react in such a way, struggling with his identity and purpose.
In Avengers: Endgame, the heroes who survived Thanos’ snap each faced their own inner battles. However, no one took things as noticeably hard as Thor did. The drastic change in his appearance is not just physical; it symbolizes his emotional state and character development after the immense losses he suffered.
