Channing Tatum Reveals Details of Failed ‘Thor’ Audition

Channing Tatum once unsuccessfully auditioned to play Thor.

The 45-year-old actor shared with Variety that his attempt to secure a role in Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 film Thor ended sadly. This was due to difficulties he encountered during the audition, long before he embarked on his Marvel Cinematic Universe journey by first appearing as Gambit in Deadpool and Wolverine.

In a subsequent turn of events, it was Chris Hemsworth, now 41 years old, who secured the part of Thor and has since consistently played the character known as the God of Thunder within the Marvel series.

Channing shared that he wasn’t particularly keen on playing Thor, but he was eager to try out for the role in front of director Kenneth Branagh.

He stated: “Following the first attempt, (Kenneth) instructed me not to shift. I was told to place my hands on this chair.

“And I froze. He nailed my crutch. I spent the next five years really trying to learn stillness.”

As a die-hard movie buff, I couldn’t help but feel a pang when Channing Tatum didn’t get the role of Thor. But, the universe of Marvel had something else in store for him. He stepped forward to create a standalone Gambit film under 20th Century Fox, which was an integral part of the X-Men saga.

Initially scheduled for a launch in October 2016, the project experienced multiple delays because of script adjustments and various obstacles. Then, in November 2017, Variety announced that Lizzy Caplan was part of the cast as the main female character.

The film was later scrapped entirely after Disney acquired Fox.

Speaking to Variety in 2022, Channing admitted he was left deeply disappointed.

He mentioned that he turned off his Marvel device, as he hasn’t had a chance to watch any of the films yet. He adored that particular character but found it devastatingly emotional, almost as if he’d lost a dear friend, since he had been eager to portray him.

That changed with his surprise appearance in Deadpool and Wolverine, released in 2024.

Channing shared a statement on social media after the premiere.

I believed I’d never see Gambit again. However, Ryan Reynolds (from Deadpool) stepped in and fought for both of us. I’ll likely be indebted to him forever, as I can’t imagine doing something that compares to what this means to me.

You’re a great friend, and I’m thrilled to be part of this film! In my view, it’s a remarkable piece of art. Watching it has been an incredible, exhilarating experience – almost like shouting with delight in the cinema!

It’s quite interesting that Channing’s Gambit and Chris’ Thor will reunite on the big screen in Avengers: Doomsday, which is slated for a release on December 18, 2026.

The 10 Best Netflix Movies of the Last 10 Years (2016-2025)

10. Rebel Ridge (2024)

In a turn that could have made headlines in the film industry, Aaron Pierre shone brightly as an authentic Marine entangled with corrupt cops in “Rebel Ridge”. Despite being one of twelve new films debuting on Netflix in September 2024, it seemed his performance didn’t garner as much attention as it deserved. However, this doesn’t diminish the fact that Pierre was exceptional, nor does it undermine Jeremy Saulnier’s skillful direction, who once again delivered a top-notch action film reminiscent of “First Blood”, set against the backdrop of our current world.

9. Bad Trip (2021)

In an unusual yet compelling narrative, the film “Bad Trip” weaves through genuinely outrageous hidden-camera pranks as friends Eric Andre and Lil Rel Howery embark on a road trip to New York, evading Howery’s felonious sister, played hilariously by Tiffany Haddish. The kindness and compassion displayed by the everyday people they meet along their journey almost makes one believe in humanity again. Ultimately, “Bad Trip” serves as a remarkable homage to cinema in general, and particularly to the movie “White Chicks“.

8. The Power of the Dog (2021)

This Netflix film, “The Power of the Dog,” is remarkably compelling, although it might be more impactful in a theater setting. The narrative progresses slowly, and its character insights are often delivered subtly in quiet scenes; if you’re distracted by social media while watching, you could miss its most significant elements.

However, if you persist with “The Power of the Dog,” you’ll be rewarded with a captivating exploration of masculinity in the Old West. Phil Burbank (played by Benedict Cumberbatch), a cantankerous cowboy, finds himself at odds with life on his ranch after his brother (Jesse Plemons) marries a new wife (Kirsten Dunst) and brings home her sensitive son Peter (Kodi Smit-McPhee). Phil’s misperceptions about Peter – and our own misunderstandings of Phil – culminate in the film’s final act, creating a surprising and understated climax.

Here’s to hoping Jane Campion doesn’t wait another 12 years before making her next feature film!

7. The Mitchells vs. the Machines (2021)

In a turn of events, Sony Pictures Animation’s former cinematic stage production, now known as “The Mitchells vs. the Machines,” found its new home on Netflix. Similar to how “Spider-Man: Into the Spider-Verse” brought comic book aesthetics and cinema together, this movie seamlessly combines internet meme culture with filmmaking, creating a delightful and inventive outcome – a task handled by producers Phil Lord and Chris Miller in both projects.

The story revolves around Katie (voiced by Abbi Jacobson), an enthusiastic but technophobic aspiring filmmaker, who embarks on a journey to college with her family. As fate would have it, this occurs simultaneously with the beginning of a robot apocalypse. This leaves Katie, her tech-unsavvy father (portrayed by Danny McBride), and their kin as Earth’s last line of defense against the machines.

Beyond being an affectionate portrayal of technology’s impact on our lives, a heartwarming father/daughter narrative, and a hilarious celebration of internet sensation Doug the Pug (as Monchi), “The Mitchells vs. the Machines” offers approximately 100 adorable shots of their plump pet pug, each one guaranteeing a chuckle.

6. His Three Daughters (2023)

In the past few years, I have experienced the loss of a family member. This event has deeply affected me, and I haven’t discussed it much. However, my emotions towards Azazel Jacobs’ movie “His Three Daughters” are intertwined with that personal moment, particularly how cinema, and this film in particular, portrays death from the viewpoint of those who witness it – in this case, a trio of sisters skillfully played by Carrie Coon, Elizabeth Olsen, and Natasha Lyonne.

I’m not entirely convinced that the characters in the movie are correct when they propose that the most authentic depiction of death on screen is through its omission. Yet, I can say with certainty that the last 20 minutes of Jacobs’ intense family drama leave me heartbroken each time I watch it.

5. The Irishman (2019)

In essence, Frank Sheeran found himself exactly where Jimmy was – by his side till the end. This subtle hint is just one of many instances showcasing the intricate detailing that went into Martin Scorsese’s masterpiece, The Irishman. Towards the conclusion, a lifetime of wrongdoings eventually catches up with Robert De Niro’s character, Frank Sheeran. Despite taking pride in numerous actions, particularly his long-standing relationship with Teamsters leader Jimmy Hoffa portrayed by Al Pacino, he begins to comprehend, perhaps for the first time, that all the recognition, admiration, and wealth his work brought him came at a price – isolation, ending his days lonely in a nursing home. A priest extends a prayer of forgiveness. Will it be sufficient?

4. Roma (2018)

Many Netflix films seem like they were produced using computer-generated prompts. But, among these, there’s a striking exception: Alfonso Cuaron’s deeply personal film, Roma, which chronicles the heartrending tale of a crumbling Mexican family and their housekeeper Cleo (Yalitza Aparicio). In 2018, there was much debate on social media about how necessary it was to watch Roma in a theater for an optimal viewing experience, as Cuaron’s captivating black-and-white cinematography truly shines on the big screen. However, what people often overlooked is that watching it at home allows you to avoid the discomfort of strangers witnessing your intense emotional responses, such as uncontrollable sobbing. In this sense, Netflix’s streaming model does offer certain benefits as well.

3. May December (2023)

Todd Haynes’ most noteworthy production in recent years presents a complex blend of psychological drama, satirical commentary on tabloid culture, and an introspective exploration of acting – or perhaps it’s all three. Essentially, this film resists easy categorization, much like the characters portrayed in ‘May December’. Lootely inspired by the Mary Kay Letourneau case, where a teacher (Julianne Moore) had a relationship with her 12-year-old student (Charles Melton), who later became her husband, ‘May December’ delves into hypotheticals. It imagines their lives if they had continued their unconventional union years later, when a famous actress (Natalie Portman) visits them for research to play the young version of Moore’s character in a biopic about their illicit affair. The film is intermittently humorous, heartbreakingly tragic at times, and consistently thought-provoking throughout.

2. Da 5 Bloods (2020)

The movie titled “Da 5 Bloods” was released on Netflix amidst global protests, triggered by the death of George Floyd. Sparey-eyed isn’t a word that fits Spike Lee; he’s just keenly attuned to American history and the ongoing effects of racism, themes that are integral to this exceptional film. A group of African American war veterans journey back to Vietnam after many years, seeking a long-buried treasure in stolen gold, while grappling with America’s past actions in the region. Delroy Lindo delivers an outstanding portrayal as Paul, a character battling PTSD, and Lee makes some daring choices in editing and music, such as that powerful Marvin Gaye a cappella drop. As a result, “Da 5 Bloods” is undoubtedly one of the most significant films of the decade.

1. Private Life (2018)

In my personal experience, I can relate to the fertility struggles portrayed in Tamara Jenkins’ film. Though I don’t know her private life, the raw realism of this story feels personally resonant. The central couple, brilliantly played by Kathryn Hahn and Paul Giamatti, grapple with their longing for a family in a way that seems authentic to many modern couples. This is an issue that has become increasingly prevalent as people prioritize careers and delay starting families, yet it’s seldom explored on screen with such unyielding honesty. Jenkins masterfully transforms these private moments of pain into something profoundly beautiful.

2025-09-04 17:00