>>904 I think he didn't take anything in the summer because it was a short window and he was training quite hard for Thor 3 (he says he has to be fitter because the costume is heavy and he does some stunts). He finished the ISTL tour in early May and Thor 3 was at that time I think scheduled to start filming in early July (and I think did without him). It would have to be a teeny tiny project to fit that precise gap.

Whether the fauxmance was designed to fit that gap, or whether it was a "project" she offered him - a summer job as a beard which he was in a position to accept - I don't know. I suspect the former as the signs are that this was brewing for a while and that she wanted him specifically (her following TH fan accounts on tumblr, his February twitter follow etc).

This break is harder to parse. It is a long one and not looking like it has any particular terminal point. Most self employed people (not just actors) get a bit antsy about that. I can't imagine it was always part of the plan.

As to why he didn't get a job: There is a possibility that Marvel kept him dangling for a while till they decided not to put him in IW; they have a reputation for messing their stars around like this. That might have put paid to the theatre project. Equally he may not have seen the project he wanted.

Once having got the enforced break he may realise that he needs to regroup and refocus. The old monkish Tom is still there underneath the stylist and the entourage and all that crap.