With Extraction 2 officially on its way, it seems that Chris Hemsworth finally has a franchise future outside of his role of Thor in the MCU. The Australian actor was a relative unknown when he was cast as Marvel's God of Thunder, but the film's popularity saw Hemsworth catapulted to the top of the A-list, where he's been sitting comfortably ever since. While Thor is easily Hemsworth's biggest role to date, it's far from his only notable one. The actor has met with acclaim for his roles in racing biopic Rush and comedy-horror The Cabin in the Woods, and he's also set to star in an upcoming Hulk Hogan biopic.
Hemsworth's name may be almost synonymous with Thor, but that hasn't stopped Hollywood from attempting to start numerous other franchises for the star. 2012's Snow White and the Huntsman saw Hemsworth appear alongside Kristen Stewart, and although it got a prequel/sequel in 2016's The Huntsman: Winter's War, the franchise seemingly died after its scathing reviews. That same year, Hemsworth also appeared in Ghostbusters, an attempted reboot of the beloved original which was widely panned. He then starred in Men in Black: International alongside his MCU co-star Tessa Thompson, but negative reviews and box office disappointment put any franchise hopes out to pasture, despite early speculation that there might be hope for Men in Black 5.
However, with Hemsworth returning for Extraction 2, it might just be that he's finally found a franchise future outside of the MCU. The film will follow on from 2020's Extraction, with Hemsworth reprising the role of mercenary Tyler Rake. Extraction was a huge success for Netflix - within four weeks of its release, it had been streamed 99 million times, making it the streaming giant's most successful original film to date, and in that success lies the hope for Hemsworth's franchise future. While all of Hemsworth's other attempted franchise starters have been sci-fi or fantasy films - two genres that essentially compete with his MCU role - Extraction is straight-up action, and its gritty, violent tone immediately sets it apart from many of the actor's other films – even if Chris Hemsworth's Extraction tattoo does reference Thor. This is an important distinction, as it's a role very far removed from the MCU, and Hemsworth brings such charisma and pathos to Tyler Rake that it left many viewers hoping to see more of him in a sequel.
Extraction 2's Netflix home will likely also work in the potential franchise's favor. The streaming platform has demonstrated an impressive dedication to producing original films and shows, and after Extraction's popularity, it's likely that Netflix will want to capitalize on that by starting their very own action franchise. The partnership between Hemsworth and Netflix is mutually beneficial - one is staggeringly popular and boasts an avid fanbase, and the other has the funds and the platform necessary to ensure that he's able to deliver a consistently action-packed sequel.
Before Netflix can fully press on with the franchise, they will first need to explain exactly how Tyler Rake is still alive. However, if Extraction is truly to become the next big action series, it's off to a good start - apparent death and miraculous resurrection are staples of the genre. Extraction 2 might be a long way off yet, but it's certainly shaping up to give Chris Hemsworth a promising future outside of the MCU.