Anthony Hopkins Joins “Thor” as Odin
Anthony Hopkins has signed on to star in Marvel Studios’ upcoming adaptation of “Thor.”
Hopkins will play Odin, the king of Asgard and the father of Thor and Loki. Chris Hemsworth is playing Thor, Tom Hiddleston plays Loki and Natalie Portman – Jane Foster, his human love interest.
In the film, Thor’s arrogance and recklessness re-ignite an ancient war, so he’s cast out of Asgard and down to Earth. There, as his human form Donald Blake, he meets a nurse named Jane Foster. When Loki comes to Earth Thor is forced to take up the hammer and fight him.
Stellan Skarsgård Joins “Thor”
Stellan Skarsgård will star in Marvel Studios’ “Thor” according to the man himself through Swedish news site Ystads Allehanda.
Stellan is not the only Skarsgård linked to this Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of the Marvel comic adaptation. In early 2009, his son Alexander Skarsgard was listed among the potential candidates to portray the titular character, Thor. However, the younger Skarsgard lost the role to Chris Hemsworth, the actor who portrays Captain Kirk’s father in 2009’s “Star Trek”.
Everything is still secret about the project and Skarsgård can not reveal what role he will play.
“They wanted me to sign without reading the script. That I refused to do. Then they sent one to me that was so coded that I could only print one copy,”
said Stellan Skarsgård to TT spectra.
Jaimie Alexander and Colm Feore Join Thor
Director Kenneth Branagh has cast two more actors in his forthcoming Marvel Studios adaptation of “Thor.” According to THR, those actors are Jaimie Alexander (Kyle XY, Rest Stop) and Colm Feore (Chicago, 24, The Chronicles of Riddick).
They will 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 is Thor’s human love, Jane Foster.
Alexander is set to play Thor’s Asgardian ally, the Lady Sif, who will vie for the Thunder God’s affections with the mortal Jane Foster (Portman). Feore’s character is shrouded in mystery — the studio isn’t even sending the actors the script — though it is known to be a villain.
Chris Hemsworth is Thor
Deadline Hollywood Daily, Variety and THR is reporting that 25-year old Australian actor Chris Hemsworth (playing George Kirk in J.J. Abrams’ Star Trek) has been cast as Thor in the upcoming “Thor” film.
The casting decision was made by Marvel President Kevin Feige and director Kenneth Branagh, ending a long bout with public speculation from sites across the web. It is rumored that James Bond star Daniel Craig turned down the role. As well, it was rumored that everyone from Rome’s Kevin McKidd to Sons of Anarchy star Charlie Hunnum had at least read for the part.
The rest of the cast should be put together by the end of the month.
Chris Hemsworth played “Kim Hyde” on 171 episodes of “Home and Away,” the successful Australian television series chronicling the lives and loves of the residents of Summer Bay, a small coastal town in New South Wales, Australia.
“Thor” is currently scheduled for a June 17, 2011 release date.
Marvel Pushes Back Thor And The Avengers
Marvel Entertainment Inc said it rescheduled the release dates of some of its self-produced feature film properties through 2012.
Marvel has delayed its superhero blockbusters “Thor” and “The Avengers” by a year. Thor’s new release date is June 17, 2011, moved from July 16, 2010, while “The Avengers” is now on course for a May 4, 2012 arrival having been originally planned for July 15, 2011.
Marvel Studios chairman David Maisel said that the change of dates are in order to space out the release of their solo superhero movies before uniting the characters for ensemble film The Avengers.
“[It] maximizes the visibility of our single-character-focused films, leading to the highly anticipated release of the multi-character The Avengers film in 2012,” Maisel explained.
Initial plans would have seen two Marvel movies out in 2010 – “Iron Man 2” and “Thor” and three the following year – “The First Avenger: Captain America,” “Spider-Man 4” and “The Avengers.”
“The First Avenger: Captain America” has also been shifted back two months to July 22, 2011, instead of May 6, 2011.
Marvel also confirmed that Sony Pictures will release “Spider-Man 4″ on May 6, 2011. Marvel has licensed theatrical rights of “Spider-Man,” its most popular character, to the unit of Sony.
However, “Iron Man 2″ will be released as scheduled on May 7, 2010, Marvel said.
Daniel Craig Offered, But Declined, Lead Role In “Thor”
Daniel Craig has been indeed considered to be the leading man in “Thor“.
Craig, Olga Kurylenko and director Mark Forster attending the press day in Beverly Hills on Monday, October 20, for the 22nd Bond film “Quantum of Solace“. IESB’s Robert Sanchez talked with both Olga and Daniel, who actually had a bit to say about another widely known hero, Thor, who is currently set up over at Marvel for a 2010 release with Kenneth Branagh attached to direct.
IESB asked if Craig was interested in doing something a little different character-wise, like Thor? Craig said no, he turned it down and laughed about it.
Sanchez continued, “seriously, I heard the folks over at Marvel had you on a short list to be Thor.”
Craig said yes they [Marvel] did approach him but he turned it down. He added jokingly, it would have been too much of a power trip, both Bond and Thor, and running around with long hair and a hammer.
So far, “Thor” has been linked to many actors from wrestler-turned-actor Triple H to Hollywood superstar Brad Pitt. However, up to date, there is yet real indication on who will tackle the part. The search for Thor continues! [source: IESB]
Kenneth Branagh Will Direct Thor?
Director/actor Kenneth Branagh is negotiating to helm “Thor,” the next Marvel Comics property that will be turned into a live-action film by Marvel Studios, reports Variety.
This choice by Marvel is surprising in a way, considering Branagh has not directed a big action adventure movie before.
“Stardust” helmer Matthew Vaughn had earlier been attached to the comic book movie, but left when his holding deal expired.
Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend) wrote the comic adaptation, which follows disabled medical student Donald Blake, who has an alter ego as the hammer-wielding Norse god Thor. The character is also a member of The Avengers.
Branagh’s directorial debut came in 1989 with an adaptation of “hakespeare’s “Henry V,” which he also starred in. He’s also directed “Much Ado About Nothing”, “Frankenstein” and last year’s thriller “Sleuth.” Continue Reading…
New Logos for Marvel Movies
More teases from New York’s Licensing Expo, the same venue that delivered the teaser poster for “Terminator 4″. This time the folks over at MTV have scored a tiny image of Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America and Avengers logos from Marvel’s upcoming slate.
Brad Pitt to play in ‘Thor’
The latest casting report coming from the Marvel’s movie projects suggests that Brad Pitt is on the run for the titular character in ‘Thor‘.
First to break the news on the matter was Latino Review, which stated that Marvel executives have put Pitt’s name into the consideration to depict Thor (a character that appears in Marvel Comics based on the God of the same name) in the adaptation film but they also said: ”no offer has been made to Pitt yet!”
‘Thor’ the comic book adaptation of the hammer-wielding hero has been set for June 4, 2010 release.
Iron Man 2, Thor, Captain America And Avengers Release Dates Announced!
Marvel today updated its feature film slate strategy and plans for the next three years, locking in key release windows for its character franchises. In order to focus its attention on maximizing the success of an Iron Man sequel and the launch of Thor in the summer of 2010 and because Marvel believes that the summer is the optimal time to launch a new property, the Company will not release a self produced film in 2009.
Marvel plans to launch its 2010 film slate with the release of the sequel, Iron Man 2, on April 30, 2010, followed by the launch of Thor on June 4, 2010. Additionally, Marvel is planting its feature film stakes for summer 2011 with an Avengers-themed summer – a two-picture project which will debut on May 6, 2011 with The First Avenger: Captain America (working title), followed by The Avengers in July 2011.
