Chris Hemsworth is set to take a big step back from Hollywood film roles after discovering he is genetically predisposed to Alzheimer’s disease.
The Australian actor, 39, has no plans to retire anytime soon but is slowing down.
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 told Page Six that his schedule looks clear beyond those films.
“He doesn’t plan on taking on many roles because [learning about his high risk for] Alzheimer’s,” an insider told the publication.
Chris Hemsworth is set to take a big step back from Hollywood film 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
The former Home and Away star told Vanity Fair in November that he’s “definitely not talking about retiring,” but instead taking “a more curated approach to things.”
In the same interview, Hemsworth revealed he’s at higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease after filming a confrontational episode about death for his Disney+ docuseries Limitless.
After blood tests were conducted for the program, he was told his chance of developing Alzheimer’s was “between eight and 10 times” higher than the general population, as he is one of only two to three percent of people with two copies of the disease gene is APOE4.
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 his schedule is clear beyond those films out of
“Yes, there was an intensity to navigate it,” he said.
“Most of us avoid talking about death in hopes that somehow we can avoid it.”
The former Home and Away star added: “We all think we’re going to find out. Then suddenly it is said that some big indicators are actually pointing to the way that is going to happen sinking in the reality of it. your own mortality.
The former Home and Away star told Vanity Fair in November that he’s “definitely not talking about retiring,” but he’s taking “a more curated approach to things.” Pictured: Chris Hemsworth as Thor
The actor responded to the news of his own predisposition to Alzheimer’s by adopting a healthier lifestyle.
“For me, the positive thing about it was, ‘Right, if I hadn’t known that information I wouldn’t have made the changes I made,'” he said.
“I just wasn’t aware of it, so now I’m grateful that I have in my arsenal the kind of tools to best prepare and prevent things from happening that way.”
As for his emotional coping, “It quickly became sort of a self-deprecating joke, if you will. It’s just the way I am, my family, there’s a sense of humor.
As a result, Chris lives in fear of contracting the disease and forgetting his wife Elsa Pataky, as well as their daughter India, 10, and twin sons Sasha and Tristan, 8.
“The idea that I can’t remember the life I’ve experienced or my wife, my kids, is probably my biggest fear,” he said.
Chris, Elsa and their three children live in a $30 million mansion in Broken Head, near the celebrity enclave of Byron Bay.
The fortress-like property, perched high above Seven Mile Beach, features a gym, butler’s pantry, fire pit, locker rooms, and an outdoor play area for the three of them
Chris lives in fear of contracting the disease and forgetting his wife Elsa and their daughter India (10) and twin sons Sasha and Tristan (8).
Following Chris’ fame and his superhero films, Limitless follows the star as he pushes the limits of what his body can do