AceShowbiz - The first official images have been unveiled for Kockroach, the highly anticipated crime thriller starring Chris Hemsworth. This marks Hemsworth’s return to the crime genre just two months after the release of Crime 101, another crime thriller that earned critical acclaim. In Crime 101, Hemsworth portrayed jewel thief Mike Davis, chased by detective Lou Lubesnick, played by Mark Ruffalo. The film received an 88% "Certified Fresh" rating from critics and an 85% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes, with strong praise for Hemsworth, Ruffalo, and the supporting cast.

Recently, Hemsworth shared two photos on social media from the opening day of filming for Kockroach in Australia. One image shows him in character, sporting sunglasses, a suit, and holding a lit cigarette, while the other features him seated on a director’s chair emblazoned with the movie’s title. These images offer the first glimpse of the film’s tone and Hemsworth’s role as a formidable figure in the criminal underworld.

Originally, the lead role was set to be played by Channing Tatum, but he exited due to scheduling conflicts. Similarly, Oscar Isaac was replaced by Taron Egerton for the same reason. The cast also includes Zazie Beetz, Alec Baldwin, and Rachel Sennott. The story is adapted from a novel by William Lashner, which reimagines Franz Kafka’s Metamorphosis through the lens of organized crime. Producer Andrew Lazar described the movie as reminiscent of classics like Goodfellas and Scarface.

The official synopsis states: Kockroach is the story of a mysterious stranger who takes on New York's criminal underworld, transforming himself into a larger-than-life crime boss in a city where power is everything. The film is directed by Matt Ross, who previously helmed the acclaimed Netflix miniseries Death by Lightning, and has credits including episodes of Silicon Valley and the 2016 film Captain Fantastic. The screenplay is penned by Jonathan Ames, with Lazar producing alongside Christina Weiss Lurie.

For Chris Hemsworth, Kockroach represents another chance to headline a well-received crime thriller. While Crime 101 was praised critically, it grossed $72.5 million worldwide against a $90 million budget, underperforming at the box office. Details regarding Kockroach’s budget and release date have yet to be announced, but there is potential for it to surpass its predecessor commercially.

This December, Hemsworth is set to star in Avengers: Doomsday, which is expected to perform strongly at the box office. His return as Thor has already been teased in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s early trailers. Additionally, Hemsworth will reprise his role as mercenary Tyler Rake in Extraction 3. While continuing his franchise success, Kockroach offers him a distinct opportunity to explore a gritty, character-driven narrative outside of blockbuster universes.

As anticipation builds for Kockroach, fans and critics alike are eager to see how Chris Hemsworth will embody a crime boss navigating the dangerous streets of New York. With a talented ensemble and a director known for thoughtful storytelling, this crime thriller could become a standout addition to Hemsworth’s diverse filmography.