Q&AFrom Thor To MIB: In Conversation With Chris Hemsworth—Actor And TAG Heuer Brand Ambassador

Australian actor Chris Hemsworth, who started out with roles in Australian TV shows, is best known for his portrayal of Thor, the god of thunder, in the Marvel cinematic universe. His first motion picture role was in Star Trek (2009) and his most recent movie appearance saw him join the rest of the Avengers in the series’ grand finale—Avengers Endgame (2019). He is the brother of actors Liam Hemsworth (The Hunger Games) and Luke Hemsworth (Westworld).

Chris Hemsworth has been associated with brand TAG Heuer since his portrayal of Formula One driver James Hunt in Ron Howard’s 2013 film Rush, which was centred around the rivalry between Hunt and Niki Lauda. The brand associated with the film, owing to their motorsport DNA. By extension, a relationship between Hemsworth and the brand was forged. In 2015, TAG Heuer made it official and introduced him as an international brand ambassador, and he’s been with them ever since.

In his latest film, 'Men In Black: International', which releases this week, Hemsworth teams up again with his 'Thor: Ragnarok' and 'Avengers Endgame' co-star Tessa Thompson, as his alien-threat-busting partner

In his latest film, Men In Black: International, which releases this week, Hemsworth teams up again with his Thor: Ragnarok and Avengers Endgame co-star Tessa Thompson, who plays his alien-threat-busting partner. The Men in Black have always defended the Earth from alien adversaries and in this latest edition, they have to deal with a mole within their organisation. We met with Chris Hemsworth at the St Regis hotel in Bali. It was a relaxed atmosphere as we sat down to talk about the film, his association with TAG Heuer, and his life in general. Here are excerpts from the conversation.

What is different about this Men In Black and how does it feel to have become one of them?

For one thing, it’s not a remake or a revamp; it is still the MIB world, within which Tommy Lee Jones and Will Smith still exist, and those characters could still cross paths with our characters at some point. This is sort of the international version of the film. It takes place in London, New York, Morocco and Italy, so it has this sort of geographically broad appeal to it, which was particularly appealing to me as I didn’t want to try and remake something that had been done before. I wanted to pay due respect to what had been done, but do some things differently, and this was the chance.

What was the coolest thing for you in the film?

There was an E-type Jaguar and a classic Jaguar that I was able to drive a lot. We had a lot of stunt rehearsals, first thing out of a parking lot, hand-braking into a sort of setup, which was great, and you’ll see in the film. But it was cool and especially the action sequence on the street, where we are pulling apart the car, and the side-view mirrors, the exhaust pipe, the hubcap and selling the little gadgets and weapons and stuff. My car was cool. I was trying to keep it. I thought it would be my wrap present, but I got a leather-bound script instead!

Chris Hemsworth has been a part of the TAG Heuer family since 2015

“Yeah, I’ve been working with TAG for a couple of years now and I love the brand. I love the people there, I love the history.”

“I now have a far greater appreciation for watches than I ever had before. It’s a pretty fascinating experience,” said Hemsworth on getting to know the brand better and visiting their manufactory in Switzerland

Hemsworth has been a face of TAG Heuer's 'Don't crack under pressure' campaign

01

As you said, the movie was shot in a number of countries, and you’ve also shot your upcoming film, Dhaka, on location in India. What are the most necessary requirements for you when you shoot on location?

When we shot Dhaka, the gym was the most important requirement, because it was the most physically demanding film that I have ever done. But I shoot so much on sound stages, with green screen, blue screen, special effects and so on. It’s a pretty mind-numbing environment, so I have kind of a thirst or hunger for real locations. It gives you a different energy that you can pull from, and your imagination is not spent on trying to build the world that you are supposed to be in. You’re right there with the character. The setting does the work for you. As for special requirements, it all depends on the film.

At the launch event of the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 in 2016, Hemsworth auctioned the watch he was wearing for a charity he supports—the Australian Childhood Foundation

The 45mm case in black PVD-treated steel of the Carrera Heuer 01 runs on the automatic Heuer 01 movement that offers a 40-hour power reserve and features a chronograph

₹5,91,600

Check Our Selling Price

Could you talk about your association with TAG Heuer?

Yeah, I’ve been working with TAG for a couple of years now and I love the brand. I love the people there, I love the history. I first had an introduction with TAG when I was shooting Rush. Ron Howard [the director] gifted me a watch and they were one of the sponsors for James Hunt’s car, I think, or Niki’s.

Hemsworth has been spotted wearing several watches from TAG Heuer, especially the motorsport watches, such as this Carrera Red Bull Special Edition

The Red Bull Special Edition represents TAG Heuer's partnership with the Aston Martin Red Bull Formula One team. This automatic watch comes in 45mm steel.

₹6,63,000

Check Our Selling Price

Have you been to the brand’s manufactory in Switzerland?

Yes, I went to their factory in Switzerland, and saw the intricate, sort of, workings of those watches and how they are all assembled and put together. I now have a far greater appreciation for watches than I ever had before. It’s a pretty fascinating experience.

“Yes, I went to their factory in Switzerland, and saw the intricate, sort of, workings of those watches and how they are all assembled and put together.”

What was your first watch?

My grandpa gave me something many years ago. But I think I had like a Rip Curl watch—a surf watch, which was able to tell the time and tide so on, which at the time was a very cool watch for me because I’d be able to judge the surf, the changes of the tide, and other conditions of that watch. That was always pretty cool.

What does time mean to you?

Time is precious; if I am not working I like to spend it with my family, and I also like to surf. Bali is five hours away from Australia and I used to come here to surf. I’d like to do that again.