Inspired by Joseph Campbell’s mythic structure and the epic spirit of the Icelandic Sagas, Devlen recognized in these ancient tales a reflection of his own path—marked by reinvention, resilience, and a search for deeper meaning.

An indie filmmaker, space advocate, and lifelong proponent of plant-based living, Devlen’s journey has spanned cult cinema to the volcanic fields of Iceland, where Apollo astronauts once trained for their historic Moon landings—and where Artemis astronauts are now following in their footsteps, preparing to return to the lunar surface. It was there—on landscapes that echo both ancient myth and future exploration—that Friends of Thor was born. Not as a religious movement, but as a cultural gathering honoring the spirit of Viking explorers and their longships—that same spirit now reimagined in the form of spacecraft reaching for the stars.

Devlen’s new call to adventure began during the early days of COVID lockdown, sparked by a single line from a radio story about Mars colonization: “Everyone’s vegan when they get to the Red Planet—whether they want to be or not.” In that moment, he realized his 30-year commitment to plant-based living had been preparing him for something bigger—supporting the creation of sustainable, ethical food systems for future colonies on Mars and the Moon. Guided by Star Trek’s vision of unity and possibility, his path expanded from indie film into the frontier of astro-agriculture, climate solutions, and interplanetary exploration.

For Devlen, Friends of Thor is both an anchor and a launchpad—a place where ancient wisdom meets modern discovery, and where each of us is invited to answer our own call to adventure.

He has designed and led projects that bring together thousands of people with a shared purpose, from large participatory cultural events to creating tools for democratic engagement. His focus is on creating spaces — physical, metaphorical and digital — where people can connect, contribute, and grow. He sees the Ásatrú Hof as not just a building but a environment that will foster connections, creativity and meaningful participation in our shared, evolving narrative.

He has been a key figure in the revival of Norse heathenry and advocates for a liberal and modern interpretation of these traditions, emphasizing inclusivity and human rights. Alongside his religious leadership, Hilmar is an acclaimed composer and film score artist, known for his collaborations with artists such as Björk, Psychic TV, Sigur Rós and Jane Campion and for blending classical, experimental, and electronic music. In 1992, he was named European Film Composer of the Year. Through his work, he has uniquely bridged ancient traditions with contemporary culture.

His work focuses on sustainable, car-limited urban planning and high-density, low-rise housing, driven by a radical reinvention of architecture to create more sustainable and innovative solutions. Beyond architecture, Magnús has contributed to contemporary music and interdisciplinary art. He has also lectured internationally on architecture, city planning, music theory, cultural aesthetics, and gender studies.