Matthew Vaughn to direct 'Thor'
Marvel aiming for pre-strike start in winter
Source: Variety
Marvel Studios is setting Matthew Vaughn to direct "Thor," based on the Marvel Comics character. Marvel is aiming for a pre-strike production start this winter.
Mark Protosevich ("I Am Legend") did the adaptation of the comicbook franchise that launched in 1962. Thor is a blonde-tressed, hammer-wielding hero who's sent to Earth to protect mankind.
Vaughn's deal is closing just as Paramount releases the Vaughn-directed "Stardust" today. The Neil Gaiman novel adaptation stars Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.
"Thor" marks Vaughn's second effort at a superhero pic. He was attached to direct "X-Men 3" before bowing out for personal reasons. Vaughn, who produced the Guy Ritchie-directed films "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch," made his directing debut with the Daniel Craig starrer "Layer Cake."
Marvel Studios will likely finance "Thor" using its $500 million credit facility through Merrill Lynch. Marvel has used that fund to finance both Edward Norton starrer "The Incredible Hulk," which Universal releases June 13, and "Iron Man," the Robert Downey Jr. starrer that Paramount will open on May 2.
Exclusive: Vaughn On Thor
Director reveals 'he won't wear a dress'
Source: Empire Online
"Marvel were so surprised to see this other side of me with Stardust," recalls Matthew Vaughn of his initial meeting to discuss his vision for the God of Thunder. "They actually said to me, 'You are going to make Thor more macho? Right?' Well, don't worry – Thor's not going to be wearing a dress".
Eschewing the floral frock and pumps combo is, all things considered, a step in the right direction when conceptualising one of comics' hardest heroes. It's a leap back on the horse for Vaughn, too, who missed out on his previous chance to assure his place in the comics hall of fame when he walked away from X-Men III.
"When I went into Marvel for my first X-Men meeting, I saw a figure on the desk and said 'are you guys are going to make Thor?' They said, 'We're just going to commission a script. We want to do it like Gladiator with Norse mythology and the birth of a superhero'. That really stuck in my mind. And when Marvel saw Stardust, they asked me to do it. So here I am, back again and prepping Thor."
The son of Odin (king of the gods, fond of ravens) and brother to Loki (tricksy, given to practical jokes), The Mighty Thor wields the power of thunder and lightning. Such potency doesn't lend itself to modesty though, and so it is that Thor is sent to Earth in order to learn some humility. In comic lore, part of this lesson includes a mortal identity (that of disabled medical student Donald Blake) and all recollection of godhood banished from his mind. Word is that Vaughn's origin tale will touch on none of this, staying firmly in Asgard for the duration, but maybe that's a good thing. Of all the comic adaptations that have been mooted (and it's a very long list indeed), few are more potentially fraught than Thor. After all, Hollywood was built on web-slinging vigilantes and men who dress up as bats to pummel villains in makeup, but when your hero is an aeons-old Norse god with a hammer, who speaks in the vernacular of Shakespeare, things could easily veer towards the daft. For his part though, Vaughn does not appear concerned with the potential pitfalls.
"My only concern initially was that it's another fantasy film [after Stardust], but it's different in the sense that it's a superhero film set in the world of fantasy. You've got Thor and Odin and it's set in Asgard - it's not going to be like Lord of the Rings or even Narnia. I think it's important to keep it comic book. We're not doing the Thor of Norse mythology. We're doing the Marvel Thor."
Branagh in talks to direct 'Thor'
Brit set to wield hammer on Marvel Studios pic
Source: Variety
Kenneth Branagh is negotiating to direct "Thor," the next Marvel Comics property that will be turned into a live-action film by Marvel Studios. Pic will be released in 2010.
Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige's choice of Branagh is surprising, as Branagh hasn't really directed an action-heavy film since his debut on "Henry V," a bloody telling of the British king's conquest of France.
Branagh is the latest in a string of directors -- such as Jon Favreau ("Iron Man"), Christopher Nolan (the Batman franchise) and Gavin Hood ("X-Men Origins: Wolverine") -- with arthouse roots taking on big-budget comicbook fare.
Marvel will set a distributor for "Thor" shortly.
"Thor" comicbook adaptation, penned by Mark Protosevich, follows disabled medical student Donald Blake, who has an alter ego as the hammer-wielding Norse god Thor.
Marvel will self-finance the film via its $500 million credit facility through Merrill Lynch. Marvel used that coin to fund both "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk" and will do the same for the "Iron Man" sequel that has director Favreau and star Robert Downey Jr. returning.
The "Thor" negotiations come during a resurgence for Branagh. He's currently drawing raves on the London stage in the title role of "Ivanov," and he'll next be seen acting in the Richard Curtis-directed "The Boat That Rocked" and the Bryan Singer-helmed "Valkyrie."
I'm very much against the bullshit trend of legitimazing comic books by interpretating them as meaningful pieces of drama instead of as hallmarks of cultural lore (and thus, pieces of entertainment), but this is a very interesting mixture of two forces. Considering his Sleuth remake I would forsee Branagh embracing the traditions of the comic book figure and playing up the old style entertainment.
I also wonder if Tom Cruise would come aboard and star considering the two have recent experience together with filming Valkyrie. Iron Man was supposed to be Cruise's comic book vehicle so he still has to be looking for something new.
EXCLUSIVE: Kenneth Branagh Breaks Silence On 'Thor,' Says Casting Talk Is Premature
Source: MTV
It's been over two months since word broke that Marvel was courting Kenneth Branagh to direct their next big-screen re-launch of one of their cherished heroes, Thor. And since then we've heard nary a peep from Branagh himself. At today's junket for "Valkyrie," MTV News caught up with the actor/filmmaker and of course brought up the project.
"I am directing "Thor" or "The Mighty Thor' as you might like to call it," he said with a smile before clarifying what the title of the film will be. "I think it will be 'Thor'."
MTV has spoken to other writers about why Branagh would be such a good fit for the hero. But here was finally an opportunity to hear from Branagh about what appealed to him about the project. So what's the appeal of "Thor," Kenneth? "To work on a story about one of the immortals, Gods, extraordinary beings, inter-dimensional creatures," he enthused.
He continued excitedly, "There's science fiction and science fact and fantasy all woven into one. It's based on Norse legends which Marvel sort of raided in a brilliant way.
So who will play Branagh's hero? Asked about the rumors of Kevin McKidd being up for the role, the director waved it off as premature speculation.
"There's been lots of talk [about casting] — I sound like a politician — but we are too early at this stage. We're getting the story and the visual effects together and all of that is very exciting. Someone sensational is going to play the part but it is early days."
Just because Branagh hasn't worked on a project of this scale since "Mary Shelley's Frankenstein," fear not. This "Thor" promises to be as large as the character would seem to call out for. "It's a chance to tell a big story on a big scale," said Branagh. "It's a human story right in the center of a big epic scenario."
Branagh is a pompous jerk-off. Thor is a shitty comic, too. A fucking Aryan dickhead who wears a helmet and carries a hammer.
I'm keeping my eyes on this for the lulz.
Will Josh Hartnett and Alexander Skarsgard star in Thor?
Source: SciFi Wire
A couple of tantalizing rumors about possible casting of Kenneth Branagh's proposed Thor movie have emerged.
IESB.net reported Tuesday that Josh Hartnett (30 Days of Night) has met with Branagh and is currently on "a very short list" to play the villain Loki in the film, based on the Marvel Comics series.
Hartnett is reportedly very interested in the part because he has never played a villain before, and after Heath Ledger's Oscar win for the latest comic-book villain, Hartnett is intrigued by the character, the site said.
That rumor followed one the same day by Latino Review, which cited an anonymous source saying that Branagh had dined with tall, blond actor Alexander Skarsgard (of HBO's True Blood and Generation Kill). He is the son of Stellan Skarsgard and certainly looks the part to play the Norse god superhero, though the site did not go so far as to suggest the dinner was about the movie.
Those Who Would Play Thor: Unknowns?
Source: Deadline Hollywood
Right now, Marvel Studios and its newly hired director Kenneth Branagh are wrestling with the difficulty of casting Thor. Sure, there's a big push to cast Josh Hartnett either in the winged helmet and/or as nemesis Loki, which is ironic since Warner Bros once upon a time threw an amazing amount of money at him to play Superman but he refused. But my sources say there's an equally powerful lobby to cast an unknown. I've heard that, besides Hartnett, the following actors are being tested: Charlie Hunnam (the British co-star of the F/X series Sons Of Anarchy); Tom Hiddleston (award-winning British actor and RADA graduate who played Winston Churchill's son in HBO's The Gathering Storm), Alexandar Skarsgard (Stellan's son who has appeared in the HBO Iraq War miniseries Generation Kill and vampire drama True Blood, and who's definitely visually right for the role), Liam Hemsworth (offered a significant role in The Expendables after Sly Stallone saw his tape), and Joel Kinnaman (some Swedish-American dude). Meanwhile, I'm told Natalie Portman is in the lead for the female lead. (So I guess Marvel wants a wooden performance...)
Hemsworth set for 'Thor' and 'Dawn'
Actor takes leading roles in upcoming features
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Chris Hemsworth is about to win the Hollywood lottery, booking starring roles in two major motion pictures.
Hemsworth will be wielding Mjolnir's hammer as the title character in Marvel Studios' Norse god epic "Thor" and will also play the lead in MGM's "Red Dawn," stepping into the role originated by Patrick Swayze in the 1984 original. In the new version, China and Russia will be the invaders of the United States.
"Thor" and "Dawn" were among the big movies undergoing wide casting searches and Hemsworth, an Australian who made his name with his country's TV show "Home and Away" had been making the rounds. His big American step came in late 2007, when he was cast by J.J. Abrams in the small but pivotal role as Captain Kirk's father in the new "Star Trek" movie.
Ironically, one of the actors Hemsworth was up against for "Thor" was his younger brother Liam. Liam Hemsworth just booked the male lead role opposite Miley Cyrus in Disney's "The Last Song." Other actors up for "Thor" included Charlie Hunnam and Brit Tom Hiddleston.
MGM was an early fan of Hemsworth's, casting him in the Joss Whedon-produced horror film "Cabin in the Woods.
Deals for both "Thor" and "Dawn," first reported in Deadline Hollywood Daily, are not quite squared away; the "Thor" deal is contingent on the latter film's shooting scheduling. It's due to film in August. "Thor," to be directed by Kenneth Brannagh, is FX-intensive and requires a longer pre-production period. It is scheduled for a May 2011 release.
"Dawn," helmed by stunt coordinator and cinematographer-turned-director Dan Bradley and produced by Contrafilm, has a September 2010 release date.
So fucking uninterested.
sorry Channing Tatum but Chris Hemsworth just stole your thunder!
Natalie Portman joins Marvel's 'Thor'
Chris Hemsworth stars as Norse god of thunder
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Natalie Portman has been cast as the female lead in "Thor," Marvel Studios' adaptation of its comic book featuring the Norse god of thunder. Kenneth Branagh is directing.
Portman will play Jane Foster, who in early comic book lore was a nurse who became Thor's first love. The studio said the character will be updated for the feature adaptation.
Chris Hemsworth is already cast as Thor. Tom Hiddleston is Loki, the god of mischief who serves as the movie's villain.
"Thor" is Marvel's stab at an epic fantasy adventure, spanning from present-day Earth to the realm of Asgard. The story centers on Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans but once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
Marvel's Kevin Feige is producing.
Principal photography for the film is set for early 2010. The film will be released in the U.S. on May 20, 2011, distributed by Paramount Pictures.
haha. this shits hilarious.
first it was respected filmmakers making flicks out of rappers lives (8 Mile, Get Rich or Die Tryin) and now it's respected filmmakers making comic book movies with respectable actors.
I have absolutely NO hope for this movie.
Lightning strikes two more actors for "Thor"
LOS ANGELES (Hollywood Reporter) - The world of "Thor" is filling up. Jaimie Alexander and Colm Feore are coming aboard the Marvel Studios adaptation of its comic book featuring the Norse god of thunder.
Kenneth Branagh is directing the feature.
Alexander and Feore join Chris Hemsworth, already cast as Thor; Tom Hiddleston, who plays Loki, the god of mischief who serves as the movie's villain; and Natalie Portman, as Thor's human love, Jane Foster.
The movie's story centers on Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. Once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends dark forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
In the epic fantasy, Alexander will play Sif, a skilled Asgardian warrior who can hold her own against any man. She also is one of Thor's loves.
Feore's character, a villain, is shrouded in mystery; the studio isn't even sending the actors the script.
Alexander, best known for "Kyle XY," also has been cast as a pharmaceutical sales rep in "Love and Other Drugs," starring Anne Hathaway and Jake Gyllenhaal.
Feore had recent stints on "24" and "The Listener." He appears in "The Trotsky," which debuted at the Toronto International Film Festival.
why isn't Thor played by Alexander Skarsgård instead of this stupid-face-looks-like-a-douche-noname Chris Hemsworth :(
Also Natalie Portman, lol
And Kenneth, lol I bet 1000$ that he (at least twice) made allusions to ''how Shakespearian'' this could be during his first lunch with the producers.
I'm sick of this shit.
How long has this comic book movie fad been going on? Close to 10 years now, yeah? They've already mined the biggest ones for all they're worth and now they're moving onto the lower/smaller titles.
this one has potential to make more out of the mythological elements beneath superhero/comic book movies in general, tho.
branagh obviously is cashing in with this. but the minor status of the comic book (who gives a shit?) means he's not necessarily tied to studio expectations based on appeasing the fanbase. instead it's possible he will try to focus on an aspect of comic book films not yet seen, much like ang lee did with HULK. i don't see that as a bad thing but the shitty result of the remake/sequel of that film proves ppl can't be pleased with neither excellence or mediocrity.
anyway, you can't complain about comic book adaptations and still be excited about Preacher. if that's the bottom of the barrel to studios, then by all means keep on scraping.
and the casting is pretty easy to figure once you take into account the number of other no-name australian actors who've been randomly picked out of a hat to star in absolutely massive productions of late, eg. AVATAR. i think studios and audiences are tired of the same old british and american faces and, like they did with pillaging our finest females (blanchett, cornish, byrne, etc..), are using australian actors to fulfil the white-hunk requirement without the american-douche or british-twat problem.
Thor Cast Expands
Pirates of the Caribbean star joins Marvel movie.
by Orlando Parfitt, IGN UK
According to Swedish news site Ystads Allehanda, Stellan Skarsgard is the latest actor to join the cast of Thor.
Which character the Scandanavian actor will play is shrouded in mystery, though whatever the role, he'll certainly look the part of a Viking.
Skarsgard has popped up in the likes of Angels & Demons and Mamma Mia!, but is probably most familiar for his role as Bootstrap Bill in the Pirates of the Caribbean films.
Chris Hemsworth is already signed on to play Thor, Natalie Portman is Jane Foster and Tom Hiddlestone is Loki.
Thor will be released in May 2011.
Law and De Niro Board Thor Too?
Source: Ain't It Cool News
The superhero movie rumors continue this weekend with word from Ain't It Cool News that actor Matthias Schweighöfer (Valkyrie) told the German edition of GQ magazine that he's in the running for a role in director Kenneth Branagh's Thor and that Jude Law and Robert De Niro have also joined the cast.
If true, the trio would be joining Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, Samuel L. Jackson and Stellan Skarsgard in the comic book adaptation scheduled for a release on May 20, 2011.
Anthony Hopkins to play Thor's father, Odin
Source: Hollywood Reporter
Anthony Hopkins is in negotiations to play the Norse god Odin in "Thor," Marvel Studios' adaptation being directed by Kenneth Branagh.
The movie's story sees the god of thunder Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions re-ignite an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. Once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends dark forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
Odin is Thor's father and ruler of Asgard.
Chris Hemsworth is Thor and the cast includes Tom Hiddleston and Natalie Portman among others.
Thor marks Hopkins' first gig since signing with UTA a month ago. He will next be seen on screen in "The Wolfman." He will also appear in Woody Allen's "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger."
'Thor' gets his posse
Trio set to play Warrior's Three
Source: Variety
"Thor" helmer Kenneth Branagh has locked Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson, and Tadanobu Asano to play Warrior's Three, a trio of Asgardian adventurers who fight alongside the Norse god in the Marvel Entertainment drama.
Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston and Natalie Portman also star in the pic scripted by Mark Protosevich and Zack Stentz. Paramount Pictures will release "Thor" on May 20, 2011.
Stevenson, who'll next be seen starring with Denzel Washington in "Book of Eli," is currently shooting the Adam McKay-directed "The Other Guys" with Mark Wahlberg and Will Ferrell.
Kat Dennings joins 'Thor' cast
Paramount set to release Marvel pic in May
Source: Variety
Kat Dennings ("Nick and Norah's Infinite Playlist") has joined the cast of "Thor," the Marvel Studios production that begins production in January.
Dennings will play Darcy, who works with Natalie Portman's Jane Foster character.
Anthony Hopkins, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston have been cast, with Kenneth Branagh directing."Thor," scripted by Mark Protosevich, Zack Stentz and Ashley Miller, centers on a partly disabled med student who discovers his Norse god alter ego, the hammer-swinging Thor. Paramount will release the film on May 20, 2011.
Rene Russo joins cast of 'Thor'
Actress set to play Frigga, mother of Norse hero
Source: Variety
Rene Russo has joined the cast of "Thor," with the actress set to play Frigga, the mother of Marvel Entertainment's hammer-wielding Norse hero.
Kenneth Branagh is helming the actioner that starts lensing in January and stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Paramount will release the pic on May 20, 2011.
As the wife of Norse god Odin, to be played by Anthony Hopkins in the film, Frigga is the queen of Asgard. She's also the mother of Thor and Loki, the pic's primary villain, portrayed by Tom Hiddleston.
Natalie Portman is playing Thor's love interest.
Mark Protosevich and Zack Stentz penned the script, which has the powerful but arrogant warrior Thor reigniting an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. Once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends dark forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
UPDATE: Thor Snags May 6, 2011 Release Date!
Source: ComingSoon
With yesterday's announcement that Sam Raimi's Spider-Man 4 will not start production in time for its planned May 5, 2011 release, other studios are looking to grab some of those dates for their own tentpoles. Making that rumored delay official is the news that Marvel Studios and Paramount will be releasing Kenneth Branagh's Thor on Spider-Man's original release weekend, kicking off the summer on May 6, two weeks earlier than its original release plan.
UPDATE: According to Variety, Sony hasn't abandoned the date yet and still hopes to get Spider-Man 4 done in time, but Paramount has decided to not wait and see what Sony does before grabbing that date themselves. They suggest that if Sony decides to keep that date then Thor will move again, although it's doubtful they can get May 20 back again.
At this point, Sony hasn't announced a new release date for Spider-Man 4. July 4th that year has been held for Michael Bay's Transformers 3 followed two weeks later by the "Harry Potter" finale and then The First Avenger: Captain America, which hasn't even announced its cast yet, the following week. (Warner Bros.' Green Lantern has already grabbed June 17, potentially making it one of the busiest summers for comic book and superhero movies in some time.)
just saw this question:
Quote from: Stefen on September 23, 2009, 02:48:29 PM
I'm sick of this shit.
How long has this comic book movie fad been going on? Close to 10 years now, yeah? They've already mined the biggest ones for all they're worth and now they're moving onto the lower/smaller titles.
well, the purpose of Marvel Studio IS to make comicbook films, so it'll push as many films as possible, using their good relationships with the majors and all the resources. I'm sure Iron Man ensures that they'll be around for at least another decade.
I wasn't talking about just Marvel. Of course they're going to make comic book movies. I was talking about everybody.
It just feels like they're scraping the bottom of the barrel these days. Any comic book movie gets made as long as it's a comic book, it seems. I guess as long as they make money they will get made so I should just forcibly make people not watch the shitty ones.
The bright side is, you don't have to watch them.
Stuart Townsend leaves Marvel's 'Thor'
Joshua Dallas takes over role after creative differences
Associated Press
Stuart Townsend has departed Marvel Comics' movie adaptation of "Thor" because of creative differences, according to sources close to the production.
Townsend had been cast as Fandral, an ally of Norse god Thor. He was replaced by Joshua Dallas, according to the two sources, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to speak on the record.
The cast change came as production was about to begin. Shooting starts Monday on the movie directed by Kenneth Branagh.
Irish actor Townsend, 37, best known as the boyfriend of Academy Award winner Charlize Theron, starred in "Queen of the Damned." He had been cast as Aragorn in "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy but was replaced at the last minute by Viggo Mortensen.
Dallas, an American actor who is a relative newcomer, appears in George Lucas' upcoming Tuskagee Airmen drama "Red Tails."
"Thor" stars Chris Hemsworth in the title role, a warrior cast down to Earth to live among mortals as punishment for his reckless actions, which rekindled an ancient war in the realm of Asgard. Thor's troubles continue after dark forces of Asgard are dispatched to invade Earth.
The movie co-stars Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Renee Russo and Tom Hiddleston. Kenneth Branagh is directing.
"Thor" had been scheduled for release May 20, 2011, but Marvel has just moved it up to May 6, 2011.
Kenneth Branagh is hammering away on 'Thor' -- and those nasty rumors
Source: Los Angeles Times
It's no surprise to learn that back in Ireland, young Kenneth Branagh -- who would grow up to direct film adaptations of "Hamlet," "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Henry V" -- fell under the spell of tales about royal family intrigue, ancient rivalry and clanging battlefields. What is unexpected, though, is that epic of obsession was by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, not William Shakespeare.
"Growing up, my single comic book passion was Thor," says the 49-year-old actor and filmmaker who surprised many industry observers by taking on the director's job on the big-budget adaptation of the Marvel Comics thunder god. "From my time in Belfast as a kid, that's the first time I came across that comic, really, exclusively, I don't know why, but it struck a chord. I was drawn to it. I liked all the dynastic drama."
For the uninitiated, the Marvel character Thor first appeared in the August 1962 issue of "Journey into Mystery" (it was a big summer for Marvel -- the first Spider-Man comic book hits stands that same month) as an odd mix of Norse myth and Marvel's distinctive brand of wildly kinetic cosmic melodrama. With his winged helmet, magic hammer and odd old English diction, he fought evil aliens, ancient wizards and costumed crooks and even teamed up with Hercules in Marvel's no-borders brand of mythology.
"Thor," due in 2011, is filming now in Santa Fe, N.M., and stars newcomer Chris Hemsworth (who played the doomed father of James T. Kirk in last year's "Star Trek") will carry the magical hammer of Thor in the film, with Natalie Portman playing his mortal love, Jane Foster. Anthony Hopkins is Odin, Thor's father, and Tom Hiddleston plays the thunder god's duplicitous brother, Loki.
For both Branagh and upstart Marvel Studios (which arrived with a splash in Hollywood in 2008 with "Iron Man") the cinematic mash-up of Viking deity and 21st century do-gooder will be a singular challenge in Hollywood's crowded superhero sector. The story is split between Asgard, the majestic and eternal home of the Norse gods, and the modern world, which Branagh says he views more as an opportunity than a challenge.
"Inspired by the comic book world both pictorially and compositionally at once, we've tried to find a way to make a virtue and a celebration of the distinction between the worlds that exist in the film but absolutely make them live in the same world," Branagh said. "It's about finding the framing style, the color palette, finding the texture and the amount of camera movement that helps celebrate and express the differences and the distinctions in those worlds. If it succeeds, it will mark this film as different.... The combination of the primitive and the sophisticated, the ancient and the modern, I think that potentially is the exciting fusion, the exciting tension in the film."
It was a different sort of tension that put the film in headlines this week. Gatecrasher, a report in the New York Daily News gossip column, quoted unnamed sources that painted a picture of a sour movie set, with Hopkins making it clear to the crew that he thinks little of 26-year-old Hemsworth's acting skills and Branagh growing frustrated with the Oscar-winning elder's pessimism and complaints.
Hopkins was said to be outraged by the report. The 72-year-old Welsh actor issued this statement: "I am having the time of my life making Thor with Ken and Chris. They have made every day immensely fun and collaborative, and we're all puzzled that someone would fabricate a story suggesting otherwise. I'm proud to say that Thor has been one of the great experiences of my career."
Branagh, meanwhile, went on at length about the esprit de corps of his cast, which also includes Rene Russo, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson and Stellan Skarsgård.
There will also be elements that will move forward with Marvel Studios unprecedented plan to create a unified universe of heroes and stories that spreads across films, including the upcoming Captain America movie in 2011 and "Iron Man 2," which arrives May 7 as one of the most anticipated movies of 2010.
"It's going very, very well," Branagh said Wednesday. "We're in New Meixco now where we have a contemporary Earth part of our story. I guess we're two-thirds of the way through the story and at this stage of the game what's surprising and delighting me is the way the cast, the ensemble, has fused together. It's kind of an interesting combination of very young and very experienced people and the double-up of that, it seems to me, is there is a lot of fire in the movie. It doesn't take itself too seriously, it doesn't try to be too solemn."
Branagh made a point to praise Hopkins as "an extraordinary actor with his Celtic passion and incredible technique" and said he has been a binding force for the film on the set and will do the same on the screen. The cast that plays Asgard's royal family are "people who can embody larger-than-life characters but retain at the center a natural, recognizable, human dynamic ... and these people run the universe."
Young Hemsworth will also star as "Thor" in the planned "Avengers" movie, the superhero team film where (if the current casting plan holds) the Aussie newcomer will have to hold his own with far more experienced peers -- Robert Downey Jr. as Iron Man; Edward Norton Jr. as the Hulk's alter ego, Bruce Banner; and Chris Evans as Captain America.
Wednesday was a big day for Marvel Studios because director Jon Favreau wrapped up "Iron Man 2." Kevin Feige, Marvel Studio's president and producer on "Thor," was in a celebratory mood, but it was split with with anger over the New York Daily News reports, which Feige called "garbage."
Feige said the plan to meld the Marvel Universe on the silver screen will move forward dramatically now and he said there are some surprises in "Iron Man 2" that set up an unexpected bond to the "Captain America" movie that director Joe Johnston is doing early work on now in England.
"Now many of the pieces are in place ... with 'Iron Man 2' finished and 'Thor' more than halfway done, that lattice work is being built."
Feige said Branagh is proving to be the ideal choice for "Thor" -- the executive knew he would be after seeing the buoyant and accessible "Much Ado About Nothing," which made Shakespeare fun and funny even to "comic book fans like me," Feige said. He added: "You could actually laugh and understand all of it."
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.blogcdn.com%2Fwww.cinematical.com%2Fmedia%2F2010%2F04%2Fthor.jpg&hash=90626b29b9c0693d27194274ad1658c6f527665e)
The First Official Look At 'Thor'!
Source: Cinematical
Here he is, in all his blond, Asgardian glory! This is the first official look at Chris Hemsworth as the thunder god himself in Marvel's Thor, and it comes courtesy of Yahoo! Movies. Check out our brand new Thor gallery for the full version.
Of course, it's a dramatic, profile shot and not something full length and up close. There's no winged helmet, which may upset a lot of fans. I can already hear many of you clamoring that you need more, and that you need to see Mjolnir, and only then will you judge! But hey, he looks pretty good so far. I'm actually a little weirded out that Chris "Kirk's Dad" Hemsworth seems to have vanished and been replaced by that Thor fancast favorite, Alexander Skarsgard.
Good looking armor. Good looking beard. Nice cape. Surprisingly furrowed brow for an arrogant god who can do no wrong, until he's booted to the mortal plane. I'm not sure what else to say about you Thor, except that the ladies and gentlemen are clearly going to love you. I can't wait to see a little more, and hopefully we won't have to wait until next May to see all of you!
Thor hits theaters on May 20, 2011.
First pics of Chris Hemsworth wielding the hammer of Thor!
Source: SciFi Wire
When we saw that initial picture of Chris Hemsworth in his Thor outfit last month, our first thought was—you nailed the look, but where's the hammer? Thor's mighty Mjolnir is just as important to the Thunder God as the shield is to Captain America, or that webbing to Spider-Man, and until we saw it, we weren't going to be entirely sold.
So we were thrilled when Collider got hold of some concept art of Hemworth with hammer in hand.
Check it out below!
And now that we've seen Mjolnir glowing, we can't wait to see Hemsworth use it in action!
Thor is slated to hit theaters May 20, 2011.
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fscifiwire.com%2Fassets_c%2F2010%2F06%2FThorConceptArt1-thumb-550x1207-40137.jpg&hash=d7064b84b97dce6b239f81bd5bdee0451433e975)
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fscifiwire.com%2Fassets_c%2F2010%2F06%2FThorConceptArt2-thumb-550x814-40138.jpg&hash=436e80b4ad63bdd8dc960644f451cf74bee63a62)
that's as acceptable and 'decent' as a contemporary nordic god who holds a shiny hammer can look.
he looks like he's in a metal band you weren't into when you were in seventh grade, and your friends told you they were awesome but even when you were young, you never saw the point of an adult wearing a cape and a heroic vest.
no way this movie will take itself seriously.
This looks fucking awful though. Like, 1998 awful.
i finally figured out what's wrong with those pictures. he is not zakk wylde.
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.guitarmessenger.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2006%2F08%2FZakk-Wylde-by-Ivan-Chopik.jpgg&hash=17926424b55b7f62a04206b014ebe65a98f7a06b)
Why is the handle on the hammer so short?
Everyime I see this thing I am baffled by how shitty it looks.
From the moment they didn't cast Alexander Skarsgard in favor of Chris Whatsisdick this project was doomed. That's like not casting Ben Kingsley in the Hamid Karzai biopic.
Also: they took the worst part of Thor (his Donald Blake shit story) and made it the center of the film instead of just having awesome God feuds etc. I thought Branagh was gonna make this a deity Shakespeare-like thing. Nope. Just ANOTHER "student becomes superhero" fare. Oh my God, I wonder how he'll cope with finding out his powers... sigh...
and that hair looks like somebody cut fabio's hair in photoshop and pasted it to this dude's face.
man. this is going to be like elektra. i've always thought the avengers project is just a miserable and long excuse to make money. iron man 2 felt like a 200 million dollars trailer for at least five more different movies, and to me that's as crass as movies can get.
and his crotch don't like right.
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Flatimesblogs.latimes.com%2F.a%2F6a00d8341c630a53ef0134856c4cac970c-600wi&hash=2d202bb02f29ad781a2e52a92f2c27830b9b0835)
I'm out.
Kenneth Branagh: Thor movie will be the opposite of Iron Man
Source: SfyFy
Thor director Kenneth Branaugh says his superhero movie will be the opposite of Jon Favreau's Iron Man movies—and surprisingly, even if you liked Iron Man, Branagh makes it sound as if that'll turn out to be a GOOD thing.
According to the director, neither he nor the source material is suited to Favreau's improvisational, shoot-from-the-hip technique.
Says Branagh:
"It's a different story, and also, in that regard, Jon is a bit of a genius when it comes to that orchestration and getting the max out of another genius in Downey. ...
"It's how you dance pretty close to the edge to get the sort of modernity and the edge that Iron Man has and the real sharp comic sensibility of those two men. So it's a different kind of dance.
"I think Thor comes from a different place story-wise and character-wise. We have both Norse histories for Thor, hundreds of myths and fables told in many different ways, in addition to what Marvel has pillaged for the past 40 years or so to come up with their version of things, which sits in very strong structure, a really strong narrative structure."
Hard to tell how this filmmaking philosophy will play out on the screen ... but we're looking forward to finding out.
Teaser Trailer here. (http://movies.yahoo.com/movie/1810026342/video/23447610)
Norse gods should have Norwegian accents, and that's all I have to say about that.
Quote from: polkablues on December 10, 2010, 06:57:08 PM
Norse gods should have Norwegian accents, and that's all I have to say about that.
exactly... I'm so confused about that.
This looks even worst than expected. Wtf is Natpo doing in this.
Quote from: Pas on December 14, 2010, 07:08:01 AM
This looks even worst than expected.
what looks worst this or this (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WsG686bC_tU&feature=related)?
Real Steel looks amazing though... like the biggest example of "how the fuck did this get made?!" in a long time.
I can't wait for it.
Thor, on the other-hand, just looks completely forgettable.
Hahha oh man I missed your post Poz, awesome awesome awesome. Real Steal hahhaa big cgi robots fighting ufc style can you believe that shit. Hugh Jackman is awful, eric bana owns him
All fanboy movies should be banned on this site. They are the worst.
Hilarious. My iPhone auto corrected fanboy to gambit. Go figure.
Asylum beats 'em to the punch again:
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbadassness.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F12%2Fthor-200x280.jpg&hash=c622f61c86b330bb1de56c454509d365ccd2e100)
Quote from: Ghostboy on December 21, 2010, 12:58:21 AM
Asylum beats 'em to the punch again:
(https://xixax.com/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fbadassness.wpengine.netdna-cdn.com%2Fwp-content%2Fuploads%2F2010%2F12%2Fthor-200x280.jpg&hash=c622f61c86b330bb1de56c454509d365ccd2e100)
I saw that... I heard they tossed that poster together and don't even know who will be in it... they just know they're going to do it.
i saw it. it's funny because it's exactly like watching a kenneth branagh movie mixed with the opulence of the marvel universe.
it's entertaining, and the absurdity of introducing mythological warriors in new mexico is kinda cool. but there is that repelent side to the movie, of it being little more than a tie-in for the avengers franchise. that is like the cancer of movies, and on a deeper level, i guess that's why i've lost interest in movies lately. to me, even something as promising as the tree of life feels like the desire of hitting the right amount of consumers and be a financial success, instead of something completely unexpected and beautiful.
:yabbse-sad:
from my blog (http://modage.tumblr.com/post/5362045372/thor-review):
I think until a few weeks ago when critics finally saw the movie, most people probably expected "Thor" to be terrible. It wasn't entirely Marvel's fault as this was always going to be a hard sell. Unlike Batman, Superman, Spider-Man, etc., Thor's backstory isn't one already ingrained in the public consciousness. And unlike most Marvel heroes (normal guy with extraordinary powers), Thor wasn't a regular guy. Thor is a hammer-wielding God from the fictional realm of Asgard, who is cast out to Earth by his father Odin for being an arrogant brat. His brother Loki, the God of Mischief, eventually becomes his nemesis. So, it's fairly high concept stuff and possibly the most comic-booky, comic-book film from Marvel to date. The trailer didn't exactly do the best job of selling it either, fantastical sets, garish costumes, was this going to be "Batman & Robin" all over again?
Thankfully, no. "Thor" is much better than that campy 1997 disaster, it's actually better than about half of Marvel's films. The biggest hurdle (as was expected) is having to cram so much backstory and explain so many characters into one film. There is a lot of setting up to do and it comes off narratively clunky. The CGI looks pretty good (though there is an abundance of it) and the costumes and sets actually work in the picture. Though it doesn't feel as fully satisfying like some other Marvel films ("Iron Man," "Spider-Man," "X-Men"), it does a good job of establishing the character so that when he shows up next year in "The Avengers" you already know what his deal is. Natalie Portman is completely wasted here (I imagine now that she has her Oscar she's going to be a little more choosy about these thin "love interest" roles) and likewise much of the supporting cast doesn't make much of an impression here.
The thing that really saves the film is Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston as Thor and Loki. They're both so good in their roles they make you forget that it's all pretty silly and you can actually get swept up in it. Hemsworth has some pretty hammy dialogue to deliver but he delivers it convincingly. Hiddleston is likewise compelling as the villain in a way I couldn't quite put my finger on. The part could have easily been a one-dimensional wormy brother type, but Hiddleston makes him seem more complicated, interested and clever than most other actors could have. Director Kenneth Branagh seems to think that directing a comic-book film means constant dutch angles but other than this annoyance he does a good job keeping it all together (and attempting to infuse some Shakespearian gravitas). I think most critics were so thrilled the film wasn't horrible that they've given it a pass and while I thought it was only okay, I can admit that I probably would have loved it when I was 12.