I’ve been keeping an eye on Chris Hemsworth’s career for a while now, and the news that dropped yesterday, April 30, 2025, has me genuinely excited. Hemsworth is set to star in Subversion, a new action thriller for Amazon MGM Studios, and it’s being described as “Die Hard on a submarine.” As someone who loves a good high-stakes action flick, that pitch alone has me hooked. Let’s dive into what we know about this project and why it’s shaping up to be a big deal.
A High-Stakes Premise with a ‘Die Hard’ Vibe
The announcement came straight from sources, The Hollywood Reporter, and it’s been making waves online since. Subversion will be directed by Patrick Vollrath, a German filmmaker who’s no stranger to tense, confined settings—his 2019 film 7500 had Joseph Gordon-Levitt as a pilot dealing with a hijacking, all set in a cockpit. Now, Vollrath is taking that knack for claustrophobic tension underwater. The script comes from Andrew Ferguson, a writer whose work has landed on the Black List multiple times, so there’s some serious talent behind this.
The story sounds like a pressure cooker: Hemsworth plays a once-promising Naval commander who gets blackmailed by a cartel-like group into piloting a submarine loaded with illegal cargo through international waters. He’s caught in a deadly game of cat-and-mouse, dodging blockades and facing threats both inside and outside the sub. If that doesn’t scream Die Hard—one man against impossible odds in a tight space—I don’t know what does.
Hemsworth’s Action Legacy and Packed Schedule
Hemsworth has been solidifying his status as an action star for years. From his breakout as Thor in the MCU to his gritty role as Tyler Rake in Netflix’s Extraction series, he’s shown he can handle intense, physical roles with charisma to spare. I loved him in Extraction—that film’s one-shot action sequences were insane, and Hemsworth brought a raw energy that made every punch and gunshot feel real. He’s also got Extraction 3 in the works, but with his packed schedule, the Russo brothers (who produce that series) might be sweating a bit over this new project. Joe Russo mentioned last year they’re waiting for Hemsworth to free up, and Subversion—slated to start filming in Australia this fall—might push that timeline further.
Amazon’s Growing Action Slate
This isn’t Hemsworth’s first rodeo with Amazon either. He’s already lined up for Crime 101, another Amazon MGM thriller with a killer cast—Mark Ruffalo, Halle Berry, Barry Keoghan, and Monica Barbaro. That one’s a heist movie set to release in 2026, and from the CinemaCon footage descriptions floating around, it sounds like a tense, stylish ride. But Subversion feels different—it’s got that lone-hero, high-stakes vibe that made Die Hard a classic. The “Die Hard on an X” formula has been a Hollywood staple for years—think Speed (on a bus) or Air Force One (on a plane)—and a submarine setting feels like a fresh twist. The tight quarters, the constant threat of water pressure, the isolation—it’s a perfect setup for non-stop tension.
Challenges and Expectations
That said, I can’t help but wonder about the challenges. Submarines are tough to film in—they’re dark, cramped, and can easily feel repetitive if not handled well. Vollrath will need to keep the energy up and the visuals dynamic to avoid that trap. And while Hemsworth is a proven action lead, the role of a Naval commander might require more emotional depth than his typical tough-guy parts. Can he pull off the desperation of a man forced into a corner, not just the badassery of fighting his way out? I think he can—he showed vulnerability in films like In the Heart of the Sea, even if that movie didn’t quite hit the mark for everyone.
Amazon’s Strategy: Theater or Streaming?
There’s also the question of Amazon’s strategy. They outbid Netflix for Crime 101 despite a lower offer, largely because they promised a theatrical release alongside streaming. Will Subversion get the same treatment? A big, explosive action flick like this deserves the big screen, but Amazon’s been inconsistent with their release models lately. I hope they give it the theatrical push it needs to make a splash.
Why I’m Excited
Subversion is still in early stages, so there’s a lot we don’t know yet—like who else is in the cast or how far they’ll lean into the Die Hard comparison. But with Hemsworth at the helm, Vollrath directing, and a premise that’s got my adrenaline pumping already, I’m cautiously optimistic. This could be the kind of action thriller that reminds us why we fell in love with the genre in the first place. I’ll be keeping an eye out for more updates—until then, I might just rewatch Extraction to get my Hemsworth action fix. What about you—are you excited for Subversion?
