They’ve made no secret of the fact they were vying for roles in Thor: Love and Thunder, and Melissa McCarthy and husband Ben Falcone both commenced filming on the sequel on Tuesday.
The pair were pictured on the Sydney set of the upcoming Marvel blockbuster alongside Luke Hemsworth who was pictured wearing a blonde wig, breastplate and red cape to transform into his brother Chris’ character Thor.
Melissa, 50, was seen cackling as she sported a huge green headpiece to transform into Hel, who was originally played by Cate Blanchett in Thor: Ragnarok, which proves she has earned herself a coveted place on the movie.
Dream role: Melissa McCarthy (right) sported a huge green headpiece alongside a very muscular Luke Hemsworth, (centre) as they began filming Thor: Love And Thunder in Sydney on Tuesday
Meanwhile, Melissa’s husband Ben stood behind Luke, 40, who was dressed in his full Thor costume, complete with flowing long blond hair, he previously portrayed the God of Thunder in Thor: Ragnarok for an Asgardian play that depicted Loki’s ‘death’ in Thor: The Dark World.
In the play, Matt Damon portrayed the Trickster god, who is normally played by Tom Hiddleston, and it appears he is back as the character as he was also seen on set.
In the previous Thor film, Sam Neill took on the role of Odin for the mock play, wearing a wispy white wig, beard, and an eyepatch to embody Anthony Hopkins’ character.
Given the trio are back on set, it’s clear director Taika Waititi would like to continue the joke, and the cast’s costumes make it clear they are reenacting the events of Thor: Ragnarok.
And he’s back: Matt Damon was also pictured on set (left) wearing a long black wig to portray the Trickster god Loki
Performance: Melissa (left) was seen cackling as she sported a huge green headpiece to transform into Hel, who was originally played by Cate Blanchett in Thor: Ragnarok (right)
Superheroes: The couple was spotted on the Sydney set of the upcoming Marvel blockbuster alongside Luke
New roles: Both Melissa, 50, and Ben were dressed in full costume, suggesting they’re both set to appear in the film
Thor: Love and Thunder is an upcoming American superhero film based on the Marvel Comics character Thor, produced by Marvel Studios and distributed by Walt Disney Studios Motion Pictures.
It is intended to be the direct sequel to Thor: Ragnarok and the 29th film in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
The upcoming film has attracted a host of big names, including Natalie Portman, Christian Bale, and Tessa Thompson.
Melissa and Ben, 47, were spotted filming their scenes by a cliff in Little Bay in south-east Sydney.
The film’s crew used umbrellas to try and block views of the set and security locked down the outdoor set, with guards using binoculars to keep an eye on proceedings.
Melissa and Ben have been in Australia since late last year, with the Bridesmaids star filming the upcoming TV mini-series Nine Perfect Strangers in Byron Bay.
On Christmas Day, Melissa and Ben shared a video of Instagram, jokingly appealing to Hemsworth and director Taika Waititi to give them roles in Thor.
‘Melissa and I are desperate to be in the film, Love and Thunder,’ began Ben, while Melissa added, ‘Respectfully, respectfully, sure.’
Turning it into an audition video, she added: ‘I am not afraid to perform a monologue.’
Meanwhile, Ben said he’d ‘prepared something from The Tempest’ by William Shakespeare.
‘Also, Taika and Chris and whoever, and the people at Marvel Studios… also, I have been known to be a song and dance man,’ continued Ben.
He and Melissa then broke out into song, before Ben addressed the camera and said: ‘That’s just a taste, Taika.’
The latest installment of Thor is being filmed in Australia after receiving a $24.1million location incentive grant from the Federal Government.
Directed by Taika Waititi, the film is expected to bring more than $178million to the local economy, create 2,500 jobs and enlist services from about 1,650 businesses.
According to Screen NSW, it’s part of a deal which will see several Marvel films made in Australia over the coming years.
The film is largely being shot at Sydney’s Fox Studios, but elaborate structures have been seen at nearby Centennial Park, as well as Little Bay.
In the forthcoming Thor installment, Natalie Portman is back as Jane Foster, and will also pick up the hammer and become the Goddess of Thunder (the female Thor).
Natalie was absent for 2017’s Thor: Ragnarok, but was a key player in the first two Thor films in 2011 and 2013.
Thor: Love and Thunder is due for cinematic release in May 2022.