Hemsowrth isn’t the first of his Avengers co-stars to host an episode of SNL, with Robert Downey, Jr., Scarlett Johansson, Jeremy Renner, and Samuel Jackson (as well as several other stars of Marvel’s cinematic universe cast) previously appearing on the show. However, he is receiving the honor ahead of Captain America himself, Chris Evans, as well as Hulk actor Mark Ruffalo.
The star of 2011’s Thor and its 2013 sequel Thor: The Dark World, in addition to 2012’s The Avengers, and that film’s upcoming sequel, Hemsworth has made a name for himself as Marvel Studios’ god of thunder in recent years, though the roles haven’t exactly been comedy-heavy parts. Still, the actor has managed to be funny when the script called for it, with some memorable moments in the the Marvel movies, as well as in 2012’s brilliant, trope-mining horror film The Cabin in the Woods.
While they haven’t been comedy-heavy parts, he also played James T. Kirk’s father in both 2009’s Star Trek and its recent sequel, Star Trek Into Darkness, and will reprise his role from Snow White and the Huntsman in that film’s upcoming sequel, The Huntsman.
Avengers: Age of Ultron arrives in theaters May 1, and Hemsworth will then return as the character in 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, the next solo film in the franchise.
