Thor Movie Lands a Director
We finally have some news this week about Marvel’s upcoming Thor movie, which they had previously announced would be released in June 2010. This will be one of the key characters in The Avengers superhero team-up flick that they are also planning for the summer of 2011. According to Variety, Kenneth Branagh is in talks to direct the film… an odd (albeit interesting) choice indeed.
Branagh is probably known more for his acting than his directing (he will be seen in the upcoming Valkyrie, for example), however he has helmed a number of Shakespeare adaptations over the years including Henry V and Hamlet, and most recently directed Michael Caine and Jude Law in the remake of Sleuth. One thing that might worry some people is his adaptation of Mary Shelley’s Frankenstein starring Robert DeNiro, which has its fair share of detractors. Branagh will certainly have his work cut out for him. Not only must he fill the shoes of Matthew Vaughn (Layer Cake, Stardust), who was previously lined up to direct, but he also has to find a way to incorporate a Norse god into the established universe of Marvel films. How do you feel about the Thor character and the choice of Kenneth Branagh to direct?
Comments (5)
I actually caught Sleuth on HD Starz or something and it was good but you could tell it was based on a play which made it feel small.
I don’t think he has the visual chops for this (it seems very important to have visual style for Thor over any Marvel movie thus far). I don’t see why they hired him.
Posted by Ryan M. on September 29th, 2008This could be awesome. Branagh won an Oscar for costume design so it will at least look amazing. Also he was nominated for Henry V for directing, so I think his eye for Medieval settings/style could definitely transfer over to Norse mythology. Let’s hope the script is halfway decent and they don’t get HHH to be Thor.
Posted by Dan from New Jersey on September 29th, 2008I think Thor will work in this movie universe only if they go the Ultimates route with it. Never let on whether he really is the Norse God, or just some whacko with unexplained powers. I loved in the books how none of the others really believed that he was who he claimed. They only knew that he had powers, and that he was a man of his word.
Posted by Deven Science on September 29th, 2008I’d love to see a cross between “Lord of the Rings” and “Braveheart” with this. It’d be cool to see Thor in Asgard, fighting a Frost Giant, or some cool mythological character. For some reason I can picture Jack Black as Odin.
Posted by paulm on September 29th, 2008You know, I’m not really sure if Branagh could pull it off, as much as I enjoy his Shakespearean works. If he is chosen, I am interested to see which direction he takes it. However, the real dilemma lies in who will be cast as the “God of Thunder.” Of course, you don’t want to cast someone that is fitting of the current trend of hipster Hollywood actors. The character calls for more of a brute that has an honorable side as well. That statements eliminates the likes of Ron Perlman or, for older reference, Dolph Lundgren. I think the key to this film’s potential success is the casting of the very crucial main role.
Posted by Marcus M. on October 2nd, 2008Leave a Reply