Chris Hemsworth would take a huge step back from Hollywood movie roles upon discovery he is genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease.
The Australian actor, 39, has no plans to retire any time soon, but is taking things slower.
Hemsworth currently has four projects in the works, including an upcoming Avengers sequel in which he returns as his character Thor, and an untitled biopic about wrestling icon Hulk Hogan.
However, a source reports that Page six his schedule looks clear beyond these movies.
He’s not planning to take on many roles because of [learning about his high risk for] Alzheimer’s,” an insider told the publication.
Chris Hemsworth would take a huge step back from Hollywood movie roles after discovering he is genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease. Pictured: Chris Hemsworth with his wife Elsa Pataky and their twin sons Tristan and Sasha
That said the former Home and Away star Vanity purse in November he talks about “not retiring in any way,” but “a more curated approach to things.”
In the same interview, Hemsworth revealed that he is at higher risk for Alzheimer’s after filming a confrontational death episode for his Disney+ docuseries Limitless.
After having blood tests done for the program, he was told he is “eight to 10 times” more likely to develop Alzheimer’s disease than the general population because he is one of only two to three percent of people is with two copies of the APOE4 gene.
Hemsworth has four projects in the works, including an upcoming Avengers sequel in which he returns as his character Thor, and an untitled biopic about wrestling icon Hulk Hogan, but a source told Page Six that his schedule looks clear beyond these movies.
“Yeah, there was an intensity to navigating through it,” he said.
“Most of us like to avoid talking about death in the hope that we will somehow avoid it.”
The former Home and Away star added: “We all have this belief that we’ll work it out. Then suddenly to be told that some major indicators are actually pointing to this being the route that is going to happen, the reality of it sinks in. Your own mortality.’
The former Home and Away star told Vanity Fair in November that he’s “not retiring by any means,” but that he’s taking “a more curated approach to things.” Pictured: Chris Hemsworth as Thor
The actor responded to the news about his own predisposition to Alzheimer’s disease by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
“For me, the positive of it was like, ‘Right, if I hadn’t known this information, I wouldn’t have made the changes I made,'” he said.
“I just wasn’t aware of it, so now I’m thankful to have the kind of tools in my arsenal to prepare myself as best I can and prevent things from happening that way.”
As for how he handled it emotionally, “it quickly became a kind of self-deprecation, if you will. It’s just the way I am, my family, there’s a sense of humour.’
As a result, Chris lives in fear of developing the disease and forgetting his wife Elsa Pataky, as well as their daughter India, 10, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, eight.
“The idea that I can’t remember the life I lived, or my wife, my children, is probably my biggest fear,” he said.
Chris, Elsa and their three children live in a $30 million mansion in Broken Head, near the famous enclave of Byron Bay.
Perched high above Seven Mile Beach, the fortress-like property features a gymnasium, butler’s pantry, fire pit, changing rooms, outdoor play area for the three
Chris lives in fear of developing the disease and forgetting his wife Elsa, as well as their daughter India, 10, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, eight
Following on from Chris’ stardom and his superhero flicks, Limitless follows the star as he pushes the limits of what his body can do