Chris Hemsworth To Service The ‘Ghostbusters’ Leads

Paul Feig, director of the previously all-female Ghostbusters reboot film, has tweeted news of Thor star Chris Hemsworth joining the cast. The L.A. Times reports that this news has been confirmed by a person close to the project, but the source asked not to be named because she was asked not to speak about the addition of Hemsworth to the press.

Feig’s tweet confirms not only that Chris has joined the cast, but also that Mr. Hemsworth will be playing the receptionist, filling the role of Janine Melnitz (Annie Potts) from the original Ghostbusters films. This addition will complete the main cast of the gender-flipping Ghostbusters reboot, which also stars Melissa McCarthy, Kristen Wiig, Leslie Jones, and Kate McKinnon.

Our receptionist. #whoyougonnacall pic.twitter.com/wGTzs8KdUs

— Paul Feig (@paulfeig) June 10, 2015

This will be a switch for Hemsworth in many ways and will possibly create a greater stumbling block to audience acceptance than the all-female lead roles that had previously stirred debate among die-hard Ghostbusters fans. Previously, Chris has played enough strong male leads in action-packed films that Hemsworth was well on his way to earning the title of action star alongside the likes of Bruce Willis and Arnold Schwarzenegger, but it now seems that Chris is trying to get away from that label.

Previously, Chris Hemsworth has been known for his role of Thor in the live action comic book adaptations. Also, Chris is known for his role as The Huntsman in 2012’s Snow White and the Huntsmen, as well as its upcoming sequel, The Huntsman, scheduled for an April 2016 release.

Mr. Hemsworth has just completed filming on another comedy, a sequel/reboot of National Lampoon’s Vacation, simply titled Vacation, which is scheduled for a July 29 release date. The added news of his Ghostbusters role adds to the idea that Hemsworth is trying to avoid being typecast as an action hero.

Variety reports that this is the second time Hemsworth has been offered a Ghostbusters role. Chris reportedly turned down the first role because he felt the part was too minor, but sources say the receptionist role was beefed up to add more screen time worthy of enticing Chris Hemsworth to return to the Ghostbusters project. There is no word whether this is the same role Hemsworth was initially offered.

Chris Hemsworth can be seen this December in his latest film, In the Heart of the Sea, which is an action-adventure based on a true event that took place in 1820, when a sperm whale hunted the crew of a whaling ship.

[Featured image: Chris Hemsworth courtesy of Jason Merritt/Getty Images]