Summary

Chris Hemsworth could either voice Optimus Prime in the Transformers franchise or take on a new role in the G.I. Joe universe.
Hot Shot, an overlooked Autobot, could be revitalized if played by Hemsworth, offering a new dynamic to the crossover film.
Hemsworth’s versatility could shine as Gung-Ho, a flamboyant G.I. Joe character, bringing a new level of charm and strength to the role.

Chris Hemsworth is slated to appear in the upcoming crossover film intersecting the Transformers and G.I. Joe franchises, though which side of the action he’ll be on is up for debate. Originally getting his start in soap operas airing in his home country of Australia, Chris Hemsworth has quickly become an industry darling, rising to star status thanks to his excellent portrayal of Thor in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Since then, the actor has found himself in a variety of high-profile blockbuster films, including Ghostbusters, Men In Black: International, and most recently, Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga.

When it comes to the upcoming Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover film teased towards the end of Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, Chris Hemsworth seems to be the only name publicly in talks as a leading star. Despite Hemsworth’s current involvement in the Transformers franchise, he may not be guaranteed to play one of the shapeshifting Cybertronians, as the star value his face provides might be too good to pass up on for a G.I. Joe character rather than being hidden behind a CGI Transformer. There is a wealth of tempting roles Hemsworth could be cast for.

8 Optimus Prime

It would make sense to have Hemsworth reprise his role

The most obvious choice for the Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover film to make would be to simply re-cast Chris Hemsworth as Optimus Prime. In the soon-to-be-released prequel Transformers One, Hemsworth will star as a young Optimus Prime still living on Cybertron before the formation of the Autobots or Decepticons, then going by the name Orion Pax. Optimus Prime is by far the most recognizable and iconic Transformer of the entire series, a long-running protagonist and inspiring leader.

Simply bringing Chris Hemsworth back to voice Optimus after already playing Orion would make sense for the next film, but there are a few reasons this might not be the case. For one, the Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover will be set in the same continuity as Transformers: Rise of the Beasts, in which Optimus was already supplied with the legendary voice of Peter Cullen, who has made the Autobot leader his signature role. In addition, Transformers One seems to be set in a separate continuity not related to the live-action films, which could make Hemsworth as Prime confusing.

7 Hot Shot

An underused second-in-command Hemsworth could voice

The second most-famous Autobot barring Optimus Prime is most assuredly Bumblebee, the yellow scout characterized by his frequently-missing voice synthesizer, forcing him to communicate via radio clips. While a voiceless character isn’t a great fit for Chris Hemsworth’s marquis value, the oft-forgotten Bumblebee replacement, Hot Shot, might have a chance to shine. Replacing Bumblebee as the second-in-command and token yellow speedster, Hot Shot was introduced in Transformers: Armada as a hot-headed version of his G1 counterpart.

The edgier teen to Bumblebee’s wide-eyed, childlike personality, Hot Shot is a bit of an obscure pick that was hardly featured in the Michael Bay live-action films, only ever appearing briefly as a filler Autobot. But once upon a time, the character was the co-lead of the Transformers franchise, and wasn’t only brought back into the fold due to licensing issues surrounding his name. The Transformers and G.I. Joe crossover could bring Hot Shot back in a big way by giving him the voice of Chris Hemsworth, great at playing impulsive characters.

6 Duke

The all-American action hero

The central figure of the G.I Joe mythos, Duke is the Optimus Prime to the Joes’ Autobots. Duke is a decorated soldier and experienced combatant, serving as the Joes’ field leader. The first sergeant of the original G.I. Joe lineup, Duke has since been the central figure of the series’ mythology, re-appearing in countless reboots, toylines, and series. In the most recent live-action G.I. Joe films, Channing Tatum’s Duke was the star of the first film before being unceremoniously killed off in G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

A Hollywood industry darling as recognizable as Chris Hemsworth could be the perfect vehicle for Duke in an upcoming film attempting to bring G.I. Joe out from under the shadow of its fellow Hasbro franchise. Not only is Hemsworth one of the few people who can actually pull off Duke’s classic action hero look, blonde hair, square jaw and all, but the Australian actor has already proven his ability to lead an action film as a military character in the Extraction duology. Despite Hemsworth already playing Optimus, Duke might be his most likely role.

5 Sideswipe

A show-offy Autobot with a drive for glory

If Hot Shot might be too contentious of a Transformer to include in a film where he’s sure to share a ticket with Bumblebee, a similarly uninhibited Autobot for Chris Hemsworth to play is Sideswipe. Known for his speed, tenacity, and endless hunger for glory and accolades, Sideswipe is a skillful fighter that debuted alongside Optimus Prime and Bumblebee in the original G1 Transformers lineup. Like Hot Shot, Sideswipe has made smaller appearances in the Michael Bay Transformers series, but never got to enjoy more than a handful of spoken lines.

Known for playing characters like Thor in The Avengers or Curt in Cabin in the Woods, Chris Hemsworth would feel right at home as the Autobot’s resident jock. A vocal performance from the Hollywood star could give Sideswipe a much-needed bit of extra character, just as Pete Davidson did to Mirage in Transformers: Rise of the Beasts. Even if Sideswipe isn’t the most important Transformer, it’s hard to argue against Chris Hemsworth as the perfect person to cast as the thrill-seeking Cybertronian, considering Hemsworth’s own sense of adventure outside his movie roles.

4 Gung-Ho

A flamboyant G.I. Joe sorely absent from the live-action films

Despite being in the original lineup of G.I. Joe action figures alongside Duke and Scarlett, Gung-Ho has shockingly never made an appearance in any of the three live-action G.I. Joe films. The team’s archetypal marine, Gung-Ho is a danger-seeker with a specialty in jungle warfare, excelling in such environments thanks to his childhood growing up in the bayous of Louisiana. Named after his enthusiasm and bravery, Gung-Ho may have been left out of previous films due to his exaggerated persona, but a campier Transformers crossover could be the perfect place to introduce him.

Considering Gung-Ho is known for his feats of physical strength, Chris Hemsworth’s long experience maintaining a shredded physique would be perfect for the series’ most scantily-clad soldier. Hemsworth also has plenty of experience inhabiting different accents outside his native Australian voice, meaning he could adapt to Gung-Ho’s Cajun accent charmingly well. Combine these traits with the character’s love of danger and perseverance, and a portrait of Chris Hemsworth easily starts to form from Gung-Ho’s description on the back of action figure boxes.

3 Ironhide

The Autobots’ heavy hitter

Of the core lineup of Autobots from the original G1 roster, Ironhide has gotten some of the most screentime besides Bumblebee and Optimus Prime. One of the canonically oldest Transformers, Ironhide is known for his toughness, gruffness, and ability to dish out some serious damage to the Decepticons. In the Michael Bay movies, Ironhide is depicted as the Autobots’ heavy weapons specialist, and survives two movies before tragically being killed at the hands of Sentinel Prime in Transformers: Dark of the Moon.

Ironhide has yet to be re-introduced in the new continuity established with Bumblebee, making him a perfect candidate to add to the Autobots going into the crossover. Traditionally burdened with a more rough-around-the-edges personality, Ironhide might not seem like the ideal fit for the classic archetype of a Chris Hemsworth character like Gung-Ho or Sideswipe. For just that reason, however, it might be a breath of fresh air to see Hemsworth in such a role, allowing him to show off the grumpier side of his range with the Autobots’ core bruiser.

2 Major Bludd

An Australian villain Hemsworth could have fun with

Typically a hero, leading man, or at least a loveable sidekick, it’s easy to mainly consider Chris Hemsworth for heroic roles. That being said, Major Bludd, a little-known G.I. Joe villain, could be the perfect chance for Hemsworth to once again show off his villainous side. The field commander of Cobra, Major Bludd is a despicable villain with an expertise in espionage and sabotage, made distinctive by his eyepatch, pencil mustache, and cybernetic arm.

In one of his most recent roles, Chris Hemsworth got to play Dementus in Furiosa: A Mad Max Saga. A welcome departure from his normal catalog of heroic figures, Hemsworth might jump at the chance to play another despicable Australian villain with a pitiful moral compass. Even if Major Bludd isn’t the most well-known G.I. Joe villain, he may be worth bringing into the fold of the Transformers crossover just so Hemsworth has a perfect role as an antagonist.

1 General Hawk

The experienced leader of G.I. Joe

While Duke may be the field commander of G.I. Joe, the unquestioned heart of the organization is none other than General Hawk. Rising through the military ranks over the course of his distinguished career, Hawk eventually became the public face of G.I. Joe, and even lobbied to re-form the team after its disbandment. Hawk appeared in G.I. Joe: Rise of the Cobra, portrayed by Dennis Quaid.

As the sensible leader of G.I. Joe, Hawk might not seem like the most obvious choice for the normally exaggerated personalities of Chris Hemsworth’s characters. But Hemsworth proved he could handle the responsibility of serious military leadership in Extraction and Extraction 2, and seeing a Hawk still capable of field work after Quaid’s version would be a welcome change of pace. Hawk could be the perfect chance for Hemsworth to establish himself as an essential fixture of the G.I. Joe and Transformers crossover.