Hemsworth’s bulging biceps have dropped jaws across social media
(Picture: Marvel Studios/Chris Hemsworth/Instagram)Chris Hemsworth’s physique is a subject of fascination at the best of times but new photos of the Hollywood heartthrob have invited more than just lustful longings.
A snap of the 37-year old stood beside Thor: Love and Thunder director Taika Waititi has sparked a widespread debate about the almost inhuman body standards to which male action stars are held.
Hemsworth shared the snap on Instagram to mark a wrap on filming for the Marvel movie, but while it certainly generated excitement for the upcoming release it also invited a flurry of comments on the actor’s bulging biceps.
Of course, countless social media users were impressed and even awe-stricken by his trunk-sized arms.
However, others were quick to accuse the Australian star – who is also playing WWE legend Hulk Hogan in a new Netflix biopic – of using steroids to achieve his “jacked” build.
Here’s just a glimpse at some of their reactions:
By the time they get to Thor 5, Chris Hemsworth is going to be nothing but biceps pic.twitter.com/POhazthFJf
— Alex Zalben (@azalben) June 2, 2021
CHRIS HEMSWORTH GOT JACKED FOR THOR LOVE AND THUNDER OMG pic.twitter.com/9zE1LxGkBr
— zack (@sightIess) June 1, 2021
Im seriously scared of Chris Hemsworth’s arms https://t.co/rGmptPFbQ9
— bi-derman (@IR0NSPIDEY) June 2, 2021
gonna be thinking about Chris Hemsworth’s arms for a while tbh
— BD (@BrandonDavisBD) June 1, 2021
Takes years of steroid use and consistent weight lifting. But it's definitely possible.
— Shurman (@shurmandan) June 2, 2021
I think we can all agree that at this point Chris Hemsworth is just unrealistically buff. There's no way that dude isn't on steroids.
— Bon3zb_15 (@15Bon3zb) June 2, 2021
"He's jacked so he must be on steroids" is the most naive argument I've ever heard. I have seen no evidence that suggests he juices. In fact with all the workout Info that is shared it seems to suggest that he is just naturally gifted with a body that can support that growth.
— Jacob Henry Bergman (@BergmanHenry) June 2, 2021
Meanwhile, journalist Angelica Bastien posted a threat about the “unhealthy expectations” such images promote.
She tweeted on Wednesday: “Man...the bodily expectations for male stars is...kinda sad,” adding: “It’s so interesting to me that modern celebrity is undergirded by this expectation of relatability when their bodies and what they do to them is anything but.”
She continued: “I can’t believe some of y’all are defending these warped bodily expectations on male stars. like is it the marvel thing? Are you not able to see that there is a wide breadth of bodies to be shown that don’t require the actors to be jacked into oblivion?”
Fellow Twitter users weighed in by citing examples of other actors who have suffered in their bid to bulk up for a role:
I recall reading that Christian Bale has heart issues due to the massive bulk up for Batman, then massive drop for the machinist, then bulk again etc. it’s not worth their lives. As a woman who has struggled immensely with body issues/expectations - I really feel for them.
— Oniontime🌙 (@oniontimee) June 2, 2021
Looking at High Jackman's body change as he played Wolverine was kinda scary. By the end he looked ridiculous just to keep up with changing expectations. What we thought a superhero body was at the time of XMen 1 was markedly different. pic.twitter.com/JJeExgyhQp
— Myles (@Kylometres) June 2, 2021
That was *horrifying*. Henry Cavill also said he was dehydrated for three days straight while filming The Witcher because he had to look a certain way in his shirtless scenes.
— Maitane 🌤️😷🌈 (@SouffleMai) June 2, 2021
And while some argued that such corporeal standards only applied to a small group of actors tasked with playing superheroes:
considering that most male stars of a certain bracket have played or are trying to play superheroes what’s the difference?
— Angelica Jade (@angelicabastien) June 2, 2021
Others admitted that images of hench stars made them feel less comfortable in themselves:
Every once in awhile I think I’ve become comfortable with never looking like this / never making Marvel money - but then realize I’ve somehow internalized feeling lesser for it. Super cool system.
— erik gullberg (@erikgullberg) June 2, 2021
However, another group of commentators said they did not feel pressured to emulate these gargantuan physiques:
i don’t think most audiences want this. or at least i hope not.
— Angelica Jade (@angelicabastien) June 2, 2021
All we can say is, stay healthy everyone. There are very few people in the world with biceps as big as their head and that’s no bad thing.
