Imagine describing your superhero costar as a 'muscled baby with zero inhibitions'—sounds bizarre, right? But that's exactly how Tessa Thompson affectionately portrays Chris Hemsworth, her on-screen partner in the Marvel universe. During a recent screen talk at the BFI London Film Festival, Thompson didn’t hold back in sharing her unique take on Hemsworth’s personality and work ethic. According to Variety, she playfully likened him to 'a baby with muscles, a very big infant,' emphasizing his fearless approach to acting. 'He has no inhibition,' she explained, 'and will do absolutely anything to get the laugh or explore a scene—it’s a joy to work with someone like that.'
Thompson and Hemsworth, who’ve shared the screen in blockbusters like Avengers: Endgame, Thor: Ragnarok, and Thor: Love and Thunder, have clearly developed a dynamic that thrives on creativity and fun. Thompson even described the process of making these films as 'so goofy,' requiring 'a place of pure imagination where you just have to play like a kid.' But here’s where it gets controversial: Is this childlike approach to filmmaking a strength or a limitation? Thompson seems to think it’s liberating, admitting, 'I really wanted to figure out if I could embrace that kind of freedom, and it was incredibly fun. It really opened me up.'
Her praise didn’t stop with Hemsworth. Thompson also had witty yet admiring words for director Taika Waititi, who helmed Ragnarok and Love and Thunder. She jokingly called his childlike creativity 'terrifying' and quipped, 'He’s like a huge infant with a bank account—he should be stopped.' And this is the part most people miss: Thompson’s ability to balance humor with deep respect for her collaborators highlights her own unique perspective on the industry.
Shifting gears, Thompson also discussed her role in Hedda, an adaptation of Henrik Ibsen’s Hedda Gabler, where she takes on the challenging title role. 'I really like to do things that terrify me,' she confessed, crediting director Nia DaCosta for giving her the opportunity. 'I’m not sure I would’ve landed this role without a filmmaker determined to put people like me at the center of the frame,' she added. Hedda is set to hit select U.S. theaters on October 22 and will stream on Amazon Prime Video starting October 29.
Now, here’s a thought-provoking question: Does Thompson’s description of Hemsworth as a 'muscled baby' reveal more about his acting style or her own playful perspective? And what does her embrace of 'terrifying' roles say about her approach to her craft? Let us know your thoughts in the comments—we’d love to hear your take!
