Chris Hemsworth Steps into ‘Kockroach’ After Channing Tatum Departs
Casting Shuffle: Chris Hemsworth Steps into ‘Kockroach’ After Channing Tatum Departs
NEW YORK — The casting carousel for Matt Ross’s highly anticipated crime thriller Kockroach has taken another dramatic turn. Chris Hemsworth has officially signed on to lead the New York-set noir, replacing Channing Tatum, who was forced to exit the project due to unforeseen scheduling conflicts.
The move marks the second major lead change for the film; Tatum himself had stepped in only months ago after the original lead, Oscar Isaac, departed for similar reasons. Hemsworth now joins an elite ensemble that includes Taron Egerton and Zazie Beetz.
A Rise to the Top
Adapted from William Lashner’s acclaimed Kafkaesque novel, Kockroach follows a mysterious, unnamed stranger who arrives in mid-century New York City with no past and a predatory instinct for survival. The story tracks his meteoric and brutal rise through the city's criminal ecosystem as he eventually becomes its most formidable kingpin.
Director Matt Ross (Captain Fantastic) is reportedly aiming for a tone reminiscent of genre classics like Scarface and The Nice Guys, blending hard-edged violence with a slick, atmospheric aesthetic.
The Hemsworth Heavyweight Era
For Hemsworth, the acquisition of the Kockroach role further solidifies his transition from "God of Thunder" to the new face of prestige crime cinema. The announcement comes just as the actor is hitting the peak of a massive promotional blitz for:
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Crime 101: The Bart Layton-directed heist thriller co-starring Halle Berry and Mark Ruffalo, which hits theaters next week on 13th February.
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Avengers: Doomsday: Hemsworth recently confirmed his return as Thor for the Russo Brothers' multiversal epic.
“Chris has an incredible ability to pivot from the heroic to the morally ambiguous,” a source close to the production noted. “Kockroach requires an actor who can command the screen while playing someone essentially devoid of a traditional conscience. He’s the perfect fit for this specific brand of New York grit.”
Production Logistics
The film features a screenplay adapted by Jonathan Ames (You Were Never Really Here), with Andrew Lazar and Christina Weiss Lurie producing. Despite the lead actor swap, the production timeline remains on track, with filming scheduled to commence in New York City this April.
While Tatum’s departure—which coincided with his recent hospitalization for a shoulder injury sustained during a skiing accident—initially worried investors, the swift attachment of a global star like Hemsworth has reportedly kept the project’s momentum "in the black."
What’s Next for Tatum?
As for Channing Tatum, representatives confirm the actor is focusing on his recovery following surgery to repair a "screwed" shoulder joint. While Kockroach proved to be a casualty of his recovery window, Tatum remains attached to several other high-profile projects later in the 2026 calendar, including the sci-fi comedy Josephine.
