Never mind the screen — Chris Hemsworth is taking the stage!
The Marvel star, 41, learned to play an instrument for the show’s upcoming second season Boundless with Chris HemsworthNational Geographic documentary series focused on mental health in which he discovered he had a higher chance of developing Alzheimer’s disease.
Hemsworth’s instrument of choice? Drums — and he got to debut his newfound percussion skills in perhaps the most epic way possible: on stage alongside friend Ed Sheeran.
Taylor Swift Joins Ed Sheeran In London For First Eras Tour Show At Wembley Stadium After Terror Threat
The 33-year-old singer-songwriter and National Geographic showed a sneak peek of Hemsworth’s debut performance — date and location undisclosed — after he flexed his drumming skills in an Instagram video shared on Saturday, August 24.
Explaining how he and Hemsworth ended up working together, Sheeran began, “Basically what happens is Chris sent me an email last December saying he was doing a documentary about cognitive health and the benefits of learning an instrument.”
“He came to visit me, learned the drums and is coming on stage in front of 70,000 people. [people]”, the singer added while a visibly nervous Hemsworth stood next to him.
“I’ve been thinking about it…a lot,” the actor interjected as he performed an air drum. “It will be nice to put this one to bed.”
The video cuts to Hemsworth getting ready to stand behind the drum kit – and then to Sheeran revealing to the audience at his concert that Thor himself sat next to him for the entire performance.
Ed Sheeran (left) and Chris Hemsworth.
Arturo Holmes/WireImage; Don Arnold/WireImage
“He was on stage the whole time playing with us, playing in time,” the singer said before the big reveal: “Please make some noise for Chris Hemsworth!”
Chris Hemsworth fears drowning as he tests himself with special forces training in new show ‘Limitless’
After a clip of Sheeran singing “Thinking Out Loud” while Hemsworth accompanied him on drums, the singer gave another shout. “Speak up for Chris!” he told the crowd. “Give him a big round of applause, guys!”
After the show, the pair gathered backstage for a hug – and some more praise from Sheeran. “You did really, really well,” the “Don’t” singer told Hemsworth before revealing he had received an award commemorating his new skill.
Shaped like a hand holding drumsticks, the trophy is a “participation award” for “drumming excellence,” Sheeran said.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc():focal(941x566:943x568)/Chris-Hemsworth-ed-sheeran-123123-4a06dcfc5a2147d5aaff0a66b2bf03e9.jpg)
Ed Sheeran (left) and Chris Hemsworth.
Ed Sheeran/Instagram
Never miss a story — sign up for PEOPLE’s free daily newsletter to stay up-to-date on the best PEOPLE has to offer, from juicy celebrity news to compelling human interest stories.
The connection between Sheeran and Hemsworth — who previously joked that he was the “president” of the singer’s fan club — runs deep. In December 2023 — around the time Hemsworth sent his email about learning to drum — the “Shape of You” artist posted an Instagram post summarizing his year with a picture depicting their friendship.
The photo captured the duo holding each end of Mjölnir – the fictional hammer wielded by Thor, played by Hemsworth. The video was probably taken sometime in February, when the singer gave the actor a guitar in exchange for the on-screen superhero’s hammer.
Hemsworth documented the exchange at the time with a video, accompanied by the cheeky caption: “Just an instrumental trade between two guys.”
“Ed Sheeran, I’m gonna make this guitar sing like no other, and you swing that hammer with all your heart. I love you bro!” the movie star added at the time.
Categories: Trends
Source: HIS Education