Chris Hemsworth: Elsa Pataky has ‘certainly given up more than I have’

Raffaello Summer Day 2017

Chris Hemsworth has perked up a bit. Remember how he was in the wind for the promotion of Thor 2: The Dark Whatever? That promotional tour became The Hiddleston Show for various reasons, mostly because A) that was prime dancing-bear Tom Hiddleston time and B) Chris Hemsworth was completely “over” Thor in general. But he had a contract and the Thor films are practically his only successful films, so he had to make another one. Thor: Ragnarok is different though – he had a big role in selecting the director and shaking up the formula. In the end, he made a film he’s proud of and he’s much more engaged in the promotional tour. Chris covers the new issue of GQ Australia, and this is probably the best interview I’ve ever read with him. You can read the full piece here. Some highlights:

On Donald Trump: “He’s full of sh-t on every level with climate change, it’s scary. This is not some sort of doomsday argument, we’re destroying the planet. By 2040, there’ll be no edible fish in the ocean. Is this what we want to leave for our kids?”

Changing the Thor formula: “Before we started on Ragnarok, I spoke to [president of Marvel Studios] Kevin Feige and said, ‘Why are we doing another one? I want to, but we have to change the game dramatically.’ Selfishly, I was bored of myself. I’d been boxed in and limited by what I could do with the character, creatively. When [New Zealand director] Taika Waititi’s name came up, I was already such a fan of his. I’d seen Boy and reached out to him to say, ‘Look, I’d love to work with you if something comes up’. After he signed, I was so happy. I remember he called me and said, ‘Man, I don’t ever want to hear you say [Hemsworth does a deep, silly voice], ‘Loki, end this madness,’ again, and say goodbye to your hammer’.”

The failures of Blackhat and In the Heart of the Sea: “You have blood, sweat, and tears in a project, and then in an hour and a half or an opening weekend, people decide if it’s a pile of sh-t or not. It’s gutting if a movie bombs. And I do feel responsible, but you have to develop a thick skin. You want people to enjoy it, so if it does occur, it’s a great feeling.”

On Elsa Pataky: “My wife and I fell in love, had kids, didn’t really see each other for a few years, then fell back in love. In terms of work, she’s certainly given up more than I have. She’d like me to step back and be at home with the kids more, and of course, I want that too. But I feel like I’m at this crucial point in my career – I’ve just got to set up for longevity or I’ll slip off.”

Life with kids: “Once you have children, every instinct and every moment of your time is consumed by that. You’ve got nothing for each other – so make sure you have date night even if it’s once in a blue moon, because most of the time you’re just too tired and you’d actually prefer to sleep.”

Whether he ever writes Elsa love letters: “I don’t, but maybe I should. There’s no shortage of how much I tell her I love her. But I guess there’s no detail in it, why or how. My mum tells this story about when she was younger and had been married to my dad for years. He’d write her an articulate and detailed letter and she said, ‘I remember thinking, oh, wow he loves me, which is so stupid, because I knew he loved me’. But when it was said with that much depth, it struck a different chord.

He’ll never take a part where he has to drastically lose weight again: “I don’t need an Oscar, probably because I don’t think I’m gonna get one.”

Moving out of LA: “It’s suffocating and you stop becoming a person. You have nothing to draw from because you’re living in this world of pretend on and off the screen.”

[From GQ Australia]

“My wife and I fell in love, had kids, didn’t really see each other for a few years, then fell back in love.” That’s an interesting way to describe it. I remember that time too – Chris was working a lot, he was traveling the world for months at a time, and I always got the feeling that he was screwing around on her – mind you, I have no evidence to back up that claim, it was just a vibe I got. Like, he was the one who withdrew from the marriage. Then she got pregnant again (with the twins) and suddenly they were fine again. I think moving back to Australia helped. Well, it helped him and helped their marriage. I bet Elsa misses not being in Europe or LA.

TAG Heuer Monaco Party

Cover courtesy of GQ Australia, photo courtesy of WENN.

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60 Responses to “Chris Hemsworth: Elsa Pataky has ‘certainly given up more than I have’”

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  1. Madly says:

    Something smells fishy with these two. They are making all the traditional precursor moves of a split.

    • V4Real says:

      The only thing she gave up was those pap strolls when he moved her ass to Australia.

      She didn’t have much of a career. Most people only know her from F&F and as Chris’s wife.

    • Mia4s says:

      I’m kind of curious as to why the long separations were “necessary”. The kids were/are super young, she barely works; why not travel as a family? He wasn’t exactly doing low budget indies so I’m sure whatever his housing allowance was could have covered a family home. So he goes off to travel and leaves her in a small town Australia? Yeah I smell trouble on the horizon.

      • SKF says:

        Byron Bay is technically a small town but it’s not your average small town. It was a hippy and surfing paradise for years and in the last 15-20 years it had really transformed into a playground of the wealthy. Rich people all have their holiday houses or retirement houses up there. It has incredible restaurants, bars and cafes, nice shops, etc. It is very organic and healthy (no fast food restaurants – the community has never allowed them). There are some lovely art bases up there too. There are stunning beaches, beautiful farms and some lovely rainforests around. It has a huge influx of tourists – Australian and international – all the time and is a major stop in backpacker routes. It hosts some of the biggest and best music festivals in australia. She seems very much the earth mama type and has seemingly embraced the community and lifestyle there. It isn’t like being stuck in some isolated standard remote town. being left behind anywhere while your significant other is jetting off constantlynwould be tough, but I would happily live in Byron Bay!! Especially on their property…

      • geekychick says:

        I have a toddler son and my husband had to work while I took our son on summer holidays….I had my family to help me, I was on the beach every day while he was staying in crowded concrete hell of a city and I still missed him like crazy and would much rather be there with him. Considering the fact that they have enough money and that she could take her kids to the beach all year round, almost,…idk. I’d much rather my child spend his time with his dad AND mom, then stay at home just bc I like the community and the town. I mean, moving around is only temporarz, the town and it’s happenings will be there for some years to come-his children’s first steps, teeth, sentences…everything is a one time thing.

    • Dally says:

      I actually think it’s much easier to be apart rather than half-way there, following a spouse on a work trip where you think you’ll get to spend time together but then they are actually working all the time and meanwhile you are stuck in a place you don’t know, with no support system and young kids who are off their regular schedules. Fun to do occasionally or for regular visits but not for months at a time. Better to be home in your regular routine, with familiar surroundings and friends, and have control over your life.

  2. Tiffany says:

    Love that answer about the Oscar. Self aware Chris is a funny Chris.

  3. Babs says:

    That woman have the worst picker ever.

  4. FHMom says:

    He’s being generous when he talks about his wife. I’m sure she likes it that way.

    • Evie says:

      I think Chris is a down to earth, “what you see, is what you get” all-around nice guy. He clearly loves his kids, wife and entire family and is extremely unpretentious.

      So far he hasn’t shown that he can carry a film outside of the Thor franchise but he’s marvelous in comedic supporting roles such as National Lampoon. And he nearly stole the movie from the Ghostbusters’ leading ladies with the exception of Kate McKinnon. And he’s also a pretty good dancer — which we know he didn’t learn from Tommy the Dancing Bear.

      He’s grounded and self-aware which will stand him in good stead in La-La Land…

  5. third ginger says:

    I know nothing about his marriage. I can’t wait to see RAGNORAK. Taika Watiti is a terrific director, as well as being hilarious and adorable. We will have to wait and see, but my guess is he was right to let Chris, Mark, and Tom be funny.

  6. Surely Wolfbeak says:

    My love for Taika Waititi has made me irrationally exited about the Thor movie.

  7. detritus says:

    She def gave up her original nose. Thats what he’s talking about right?
    Or the Brody castle?

    To be less snarky, its nice he’s aknowledging that she most assuredly did make sacrifices for his career, and to take care of their kids while he jet sets. I also like that he talks about the struggles of maintaining a relationship with children.

  8. QueenB says:

    Has she really tho? Its not like she was the next Meryl Streep forced to stay home. She always went for movie stars, that was her career choice.
    From a business pov it was very likely smarter and more succesful.

    • Marty says:

      My thoughts exactly.

    • Olive says:

      She moved to his far-away, isolated country. Australia is a long flight away from LA or Spain. That’s a big sacrifice.

      • SKF says:

        🙄 I mean, moving for someone is always a sacrifice but it’s not like Australia is a tough adjustment. She has the resources to fly back business or first whenever she likes.

    • Enough Already says:

      Dating stars as a career choice? This sounds so dehumanizing. And since when does talent become an indication of how much someone at least hoped their career would turn out better than it did. If Patacky is a great wife and mom it’s okay to say that is enough for her to have made concessions.

  9. Merritt says:

    Women always give up more than men do. And few men are willing to be givers in their relationship.

    • Jules343 says:

      She’s gained a lot in her relationships. Would anyone here even know her name if it wasn’t for her connections to Brody and her husband?

    • Squidgy says:

      In this particular case, though, it seems like she made a decision to become a full-time mom. Unless Chris insisted (which I doubt) that was her choice and when you become a mother, it’s difficult to continue focusing on your career 100%.

    • paranormalgirl says:

      She gave up pretty much nothing. She hitched herself to someone she thought was going to be the next big thing. That’s her game. I would hazard a guess that Adrien Brody actually gave up more when he was with her. He gave up his dignity and his career track.

  10. Squidgy says:

    He comes off as a pretty clueless and self-involved husband. I remember reading his interview with her sorta chiming in on the background. He was talking to the interviewer and occasionally mentioning how Elsa was cleaning up dishes at that same moment or fetching new drinks or something. She then stepped in to say how happy she was to be a housewife although it has some challenges… I thought how dreary it must have been for her, given her ambitious personality. I mean, she dated Adrian Brody who “bought” her a castle, for god’s sake! And here’s Chris, his feet on the coffee table, “honey, where’s my beer?”

    • courtney says:

      I’m with you. pretty sad to me that he puts career over family and she does all the heavy lifting of raising them and keeping the family together. his career is only alive because of marvel, he’s not particularly talented and cannot carry a movie that doesn’t already have a built in comic book audience. not a talented family, i’m sorry. hope this sacrifice of family life is worth it when he’s dried up and old

      • HH says:

        I agree that his successful movies are only Marvel which is why he’s sacrificing for Thor and why he was hellbent in making it work (in terms of being fulfilling). The money he has gotten and will get from the Thor/Avengers franchise will set him AND his children up for their lives. If I had to sacrifice a few years of family time so my children could be set up for life, I’d do it. That’s a smart business and family move in one. Yes it’s time you cannot get back, but we’re talkings tens of millions of dollars. If managed well, he and his children will be set for the rest of his life and theirs. He could choose not to work ever again. That clearly isn’t his plan, but I do believe you gotta strike while the iron is hot and take what you can. Hollywood careers can come and go in the blink of an eye. As someone said below, look at Adrien Brody.

      • Rachel says:

        I would disagree with the comment about him having no talent. In the small supporting comedic roles he’s done (Vacation, Ghostbusters), he is HILARIOUS. But I would agree, without Marvel, he couldn’t carry a movie on his own.

    • Talulah says:

      I’m not connecting with how ambition and getting a man to buy you a castle is the same thing. If you’re talking about charming men into setting you up, then she really hasn’t done bad with Chris. His career is still more active then poor Adrien Brody’s, who she dropped like a hot potato. It wasn’t like she gave up a promising acting career, nor do I believe she slaves away without nannies, cooks, maids etc. Homegirl didn’t give up crap for Chris, she won the D-list celebrity lottery.

  11. Talie says:

    If she was an in-demand actress…they probably would’ve divorced, as all of them eventually do.

  12. island_girl says:

    I appreciate the realness he presents. He shared more about his marriage than he needed to share. I know that Elsa has reputation in some eyes as a gold digger from her past relationship. But no one really knows who she as, no one knows any of these actors/celebrities. I hope that they continue to grown in their relationship and as partners and lovers and as parents.

    • paranormalgirl says:

      Actually, I know Adrien Brody and I know what she put him through.

      • detritus says:

        pretty please can you bring the tea?
        Adrien Brody has always been one of my favorites and it made me think less of him and I’d love to not feel that way.

      • paranormalgirl says:

        He’s very close friends with one of my closest friends, she is in the business (casting, she used to be in production). He was very very much in love with Elsa. He would pretty much do anything to make her happy. Her demands became more and more, she would ask him to turn down roles that were beneficial to his career (and like an ass, he would do it, I am NOT letting him off the hook for his actions) because they would involve him being away from her. Eventually, the better roles dried up and then came the castle and the bathtub photos and that sort of killed off his career as well. Once the attention on him slowed down, so did her interest in him. Please keep in mind that he was a grown man and fully capable of making his own decisions, but she put a lot of pressure on him to land big money, high profile roles and that’s not him. He did a lot of things she wanted because he’s a good guy and was very much in love. He’s a nice man. Very funny and self deprecating, very New York. I used to love going to my friend’s house and having him be there hanging out, don’t get to do that as much with her living in London part time now. I still see him on occasion and he does a LOT of events for charity. He was a dumbass in love, but he’s a decent man.

      • Nicole says:

        I mean I thought everyone knew how she screwed him over. Sad really.
        I will disagree he’s decent. His admiration for child predators cancelled him for me. Which sucks because he’s got talent in spades

      • detritus says:

        Thank you so much for sharing paranormalgirl, I knew she took advantage but never really understood how.
        I wil forgive him completely for being head over heels, I mean most of us are dumbasses when in love. It sounds like he made sacrifices and was invested in the relationship, and didn’t see the warning signs. those can be rare qualities in a man, let alone handsome acting ones. He needs to quit the Polanski/Allen support before I can come 100%around though.

      • Miss M says:

        Oh Adrien Brody was such a naive man in love! Boohoo!
        You are the first person I know who has met
        Him and doesnt think he is an @$s…

      • Alix says:

        I don’t be know how anyone who is not involved in the relationship can say which side was the a$$hole! After being in many relationships I’ve long stopped pointing fingers at others. There’s SO MUCH that goes inside that others don’t know and hearing one side of the story is never enough.

  13. seesittellsit says:

    He’s not my type but he’s adorable. I actually liked “In the Heart of the Sea” especially because of the literary connection – it was much better than I expected and I though everyone in the cast was fine. “Blackhat” was just formula and the formula has been done better.

    As for what Elsa gave up – the heart bleeds.

    • browniecakes says:

      He was filming Blackhat in China when TH was promoting Thor The Dark World. Oh the pre Taylor days…

  14. JustJen says:

    Wait, WHAT?? Thor without his hammer? WTH?!

    • Luna says:

      The preview shows Hela stopping the hammer with just her hand, then wrapping her fingers around it and crushing it to bits.

    • Jordan says:

      He becomes unworthy in comics and Jane Foster (dying of cancer) picks up the hammer in place.

  15. minx says:

    Well, I like his comments about Trump.

  16. hey-ya says:

    …I call complete bs on him…if he wants this marriage to survive yes spend more time with his kids..his career is pretty much defined as Thor….let Elsa have her chances too…

    • browniecakes says:

      They have 3 very young kids. That’s work. She’s many years older than him too I believe.

  17. gwen says:

    That is one good looking man.

  18. Mia says:

    Chris and Elsa live in the stunningly beautiful Byron Bay in Australia. They are often photoed at the local markets and festivals. They moved there a few years back. Elsa does media work in Aus and they seem to be very happy. Liam and Miley often cime to Byron Bay to visit them and are seen at the beach and around town. People leave them alone and tbey just live a normal life although its in mansion in the rainforest.