There aren’t many superheroes whose eyes glow blue while they control lightning, but Thor and Storm are two of them. Apparently, however, it took our interview with Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry — the two actors synonymous with those iconic Marvel character — for the pair to realize that fact.
Speaking to BroBible ahead of the release of their new film Crime 101, Chris Hemsworth — who has been playing Thor for a whopping 15 years now since the release of 2011’s Thor — and Halle Berry, the longtime Storm actress in Fox’s X-Men universe, realized that their respective iconic superheroes share a unique set of skills.
Which one is the better conjurer of lightning, though? The pair were more keen to imagine the pair teaming up, instead.
Chris Hemsworth and Halle Berry realize that Thor and Storm have similar power and debate whose the better conjurer of lightning
BROBIBLE: Real quick — who’s the better conjurer of lightning: Thor or Storm?
CHRIS: It’s a trait and a skill set we share equally. You know… I hadn’t even put that together.
BROBIBLE: You both have the glowing-eye thing.
CHRIS: [laughs] We both adjust weather patterns, affecting the…
HALLE: I think we both can do it! I think we both do it in our way.
CHRIS: We’d be partners.
HALLE: Yeah, partners! We’d be dangerous.
What Hemsworth looks for when deciding whether or not he wants to produce something
ERIC ITALIANO, BROBIBLE: Chris, I believe your first producing credit was Extraction, and this is now your fourth. What do you look for when deciding to jump in at that level, and what have you learned since that first film?
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Whether it’s producing or acting, it’s the same question: would I want to see this on the big screen? Is it engaging? As an actor, would I enjoy playing the character, and do I see an angle on it?
I love the collaboration. At this point in my career, whether I’m officially a producer or not, I’m invited to the table for those discussions. I enjoy learning from departments I hadn’t had much exposure to before — visual effects, sitting in the edit room.
You learn so much about the mechanics of filmmaking. When I was just acting, I’d think, I need another take, I need this, I need that. When you step back, you see how many pieces are being assembled and gain a real appreciation for efficiency. You realize how asking for more can compromise another department.
There’s a humility that comes with having a wider scope and involvement. It’s also just fun. I haven’t directed before, but I’d love to — especially being involved in post-production, because a film lives and dies in the edit.
BROBIBLE: Maybe the third Extraction. Halle, there’s a plot line in this film about your character’s age that feels very close to home. In the film, your character gives advice to a younger co-worker. If you could give your younger self advice about navigating this job for the last 10 or 15 years, what would you say?
HALLE BERRY: I’d tell her to start speaking up sooner. I didn’t realize 20 years ago that I had the voice I have now. I was drinking the Kool-Aid, like a lot of women, and thought I had to accept my station — accept where people placed me. I didn’t have the courage to speak up for myself. Today, I do. I have zero Fs to give anymore. You reach a certain age and realize you have agency. You have a right to feel the way you feel and a right to call out bullshit when it’s in front of you. I didn’t always know that. If I had known 20 years ago — oh my God.
BROBIBLE: Your roles over the last decade really seem to reflect that.
HALLE BERRY: Yeah. When I read a script, beyond asking if I want to see the movie, I ask if I can really lend something to the character. Sometimes I read great parts and know immediately, this is great, but I can’t play this. Not every actor can play every part, and we’re crazy to think we can. I gravitate toward characters I relate to and fundamentally understand. As I’ve grown over the last 10 years, those are the characters I choose.
Lessons from John Wick 3 and actors committing to doing their own stunts
BROBIBLE: You come from the school of John Wick. How did that change your approach to filmmaking — whether in terms of efficiency on a film set or your personal preparation?
HALLE BERRY: I prepped for John Wick for almost 1.5 to 2 years — jiu-jitsu, movie fighting, Muay Thai, kickboxing, gun training. That was basically my full-time job. What I learned is that when actors really commit to action, it gives the director freedom to put the camera anywhere.
Chris experienced this on Crime 101 by doing all his driving himself. That gave Bart freedom to shoot however he wanted, without using doubles or hiding faces to sell the shot.
When performers put in the time, the process becomes more believable and easier. Nothing is more efficient than actors doing the work themselves. The films are better for it. I learned that from John Wick, and as long as insurance allows, I’ll do my own stunts.
BROBIBLE: Speaking of driving — Chris, you came from the school of George Miller, so I’m sure this felt like a breeze. I want to ask you about Thor — but not Doomsday. When people talk about the emotional anchor of the MCU, they focus on Cap and Tony. But Infinity War and Endgame don’t work without the emotional work you do. Thor deserves more credit. What do you see as Thor’s role in the MCU, and what about his growth over 15 years are you most proud of?
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: First of all, thank you for the compliment. Thor’s role changed in every film. The first couple with Kenneth Branagh were a complete starting point. I was in the arms of one of the best, most detailed, collaborative directors.
Later, some directors had a strong handle on the character, and some didn’t. Even Joss Whedon admitted Thor was tricky to write, especially once he had that level of strength. Working with Taika was a turning point. I was sick of what I’d been doing, and he was too. We explored a different space, something unpredictable.
In the more recent films, I felt like Thor had earned his seat at the table. Before that, I felt like the new guy. Sitting around with new Avengers, I realized I had agency and a bigger voice as the character. He feels like one of the elders now. He’s 2,000 years old, so we leaned into that.
BROBIBLE: We’ve got a bit of a running bit we do since Benicio’s role in One Battle After Another: if you could pick one of your characters to get a beer with, who would it be?
CHRIS HEMSWORTH: Dementus from Furiosa. Total wildcat. Completely unhinged.
HALLE BERRY: I’d have a drink with Jinx from my Bond movie.
BROBIBLE: Perfect. Thank you both for your time and for making a great crime film. I’d take ten of these a year, but one’s a good start.
Alongside Hemsworth and Berry, Crime 101, which will be released in movie theaters on Friday, February 13, also stars Hemsworth will next be seeing starring in the Bart Layton-directed action thriller Crime 101 alongside Halle Berry, Mark Ruffalo, Barry Keoghan, Monica Barbaro, Corey Hawkins, Jennifer Jason Leigh, and Nick Nolte. Check out the official trailer for the film below.