Thor

[Stefen]

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.

[Pubrick]

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.

[MacGuffin]

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.

[MacGuffin]

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.

[MacGuffin]

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."

[MacGuffin]

'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.

[MacGuffin]

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.

[MacGuffin]

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.

[MacGuffin]

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.)

[pete]

just saw this question:

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.

[Stefen]

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.

[Derek]

The bright side is, you don't have to watch them.

[MacGuffin]

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.

[MacGuffin]

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."

[MacGuffin]

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.