Did Tessa Thompson really call Chris Hemsworth “a baby with muscles” during the BFI London talk?

Tessa Thompson had the crowd in stitches at the BFI London Film Festival when she spoke affectionately about her Thor co-star Chris Hemsworth.

Speaking at a packed screen on Monday, Oct. 13, the Marvel actress reflected on her career highs, from indie darlings to superhero epics, while hilariously describing Hemsworth's fearless, uninhibited energy on set.

“He will just do anything you know, to get the laugh and to discover, so it’s a pleasure to work with him.”

Thompson added that Hemsworth is “a baby with muscles, a very big infant” who has “no inhibition."

The Hedda actress also expressed her gratitude to director Taika Waititi, whom she described as:

“a huge infant, just, he’s like an infant with a bank account.”

At the film festival, Tessa Thompson talked about the sheer joy and absurdity of making Marvel movies, reflecting on how larger-than-life productions push actors to embrace their inner child.

“It’s so goofy making those movies sometimes. The mechanism of making those films requires a place of pure imagination, you know, where you just have to play like a kid.”

She added, explaining while she pursued the role:

“I really wanted to make a movie like that, because I’m not sure I can do that, and I really want to figure out if I can. And it was just so fun. It really, really freed me up.”

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Tessa Thompson opens up about her daring role in Hedda: "I really like to do things that terrify me"

Tessa Thompson also spoke about her movie, Hedda, set for release on Oct. 22. In the film, she takes on the titular character from the 19th-century drama play by Norwegian playwright Henrik Ibsen. She shared:

“I really like to do things that terrify me, I really like that.”

Thompson continued:

“I became conscious that I’m not sure I would have got the opportunity, were it not for a filmmaker that was interested in putting people like me in the center of a frame."

Tessa Thompson said that a few women of color have played the role throughout history, although she clarified that this wasn't the motivation behind creating the project. She also praised Nia DaCosta (The Marvels, Candyman) for her vision.

“The idea of getting to present something that might not be for everybody, but there might be a whole new generation or group of people that suddenly are like, Ibsen, who’s this? Ibsen felt really sexy and fun to me.”

Despite her acting career spanning nearly two decades, Thompson isn't keen on watching herself on screen.

“It’s not my favorite thing, but I am improving.”

The actress also mentioned that she used to squint her way through premieres, but stepping into producing has helped her view her work with a clever, more objective eye.

BFI London Film Festival runs until Oct. 19.