Chris Hemsworth was hired to play George Kirk on Star Trek 2009 days before filming

Chris Hemsworth wasn’t given much time after being hired to play George Kirk in Star Trek.

Chris Hemsworth‘s time on Star Trek wasn’t long at all, lasting barely more than a handful of minutes. He was a little-known actor, at least state-side, and was playing a bit role in a movie that was destined to be something massive. Compared to the rest of the cast, he was an unknown, now he stands shoulder to shoulder with the biggest names the film has seen.

Yet, for Hemsworth, his bit role as Geroge Kirk was not something he had much time to really consider or think about.

Speaking to More content Now (via TrekMovie.com), the man who would be James T. Kirk’s father spoke about having to audition two times, six months apart, and then getting the job just a few days before having to report to work.

"“[J.J. Abrams] tracked me down and asked me to come in and read the scene. I came in and he hands me the pages and says, ‘I loved your audition from six months ago. I just re-watched it. Can you read this scene for me?’ This was right at his desk. So I did the scene. I was reading, and he was reading, and he said, ‘OK, stop. You got the part. See you on Monday.” And I was like “What?’ I was excited, but I had no idea what it was going to be. I hadn’t grown up on ‘Star Trek.’ I didn’t know how big this production was going to be. And that was a good thing, because when I got on set I was kind of pretty casual and loose with it. If I’d have known it was this $150 million thing, and J.J. Abrams was who he was, it probably would have scared the hell out of me.”"

All things considered, Chris Hemsworth did a fine job in Star Trek as George Kirk

Hemsworth is a fine actor, but I don’t think he’s so talented that only he could’ve pulled off George Kirk. That said, he does a fine job, and his turn as George Kirk isn’t a bad one. Sure, the role wasn’t that hard and could’ve been played by anyone, but he did a good job.

It kinda shows you just how up against it JJ Abrams was though, especially when it came to casting the bit role of George Kirk. It’s not uncommon for a minor role to be cast just days before shooting, but as Hemsworth himself mentioned, the film was huge.

You’d think that Abrams and company wouldn’t have a better idea of what to do with the role just days before needing it filled.