THOR - Kenneth Branagh beaks silence

[GreenScar]

He says it's too early to talk casting. Here's what he told 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.”

I think Branagh has the background to do the character right and with Marvel calling the shots...I'm very interested in this movie

[naturephoto1]

Sounds very interesting.

Rich

[dvd_mazter]

I have faith in Marvel, Branagh seems to be enthusiastic about the project which is usually a good sign and both Iron man and Incredible Hulk were killer. Looking forward to this one

[Lucy Diamond]

I'm tellin ya....they HAVE to do this right or it will be a 2 hour gay joke.

Everything (with the Thor character) is hanging on how he is perceived.

[Penitus]

Originally Posted by Lucy Diamond

I'm tellin ya....they HAVE to do this right or it will be a 2 hour gay joke.

Everything (with the Thor character) is hanging on how he is perceived.

Absolutely correct. As long as Marvel is watching closely, it will be fine. We just need another Iron Man, Incredible Hulk, X2, Spider Man 1/2 instead of a Daredevil or Ghost Rider.

[GreenScar]

Some more details on the story:

Kenneth Branagh is set to direct the upcoming "Thor" adaptation, but before he was offered the job, director DJ Caruso (Eagle Eye) was considering it.

Back then, he was still waiting for the script. But now, he has read the script and says that he likes it. Unfortunately, he wasn't able to work out a deal with Marvel.

The script Caruso read does deal with Asgard and has a brother-against-brother relationship in the world of the gods, as Caruso envisioned. It doesn't just thrust Thor into the real world.

"The draft that I read had a strong brother story and a conflict of who is Thor's real father," Caruso said. "It has a great foundation for what would make a good movie. It shows what's going on with Asgard and the conflict that ensues."

While he won't be directing the new movie, he did leave the door open to take on possible future installments. "I would like to do a Thor film at some point, but it's not going to happen right now," he said.

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[aramis109]

Kenneth Branaugh helming this is a very big deal. Shakespearean actor turned director- I think that if anyone can do this right he can.

[Clark Kent]

This is one comic book character I really do not see translating well to film. Marvel seems intent on pushing every character they have into movies but I would have preferred Thor only be seen in the Avengers movie. He works much better when he has other heroes to play off of. I have a feeling this Thor will not resemble any well-known Marvel version.

[SGRSBSKIER]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

He says it's too early to talk casting.

Its being released on 7/16/10, thats 19 months. It's getting close to them having to start shooting pretty soon so they need to start casting, they have already recast James Rhodes and that movie opens only 2 months before Thor.

[GreenScar]

I'm sure we'll hear something very soon

[jadedeath]

Originally Posted by jasonbird

Some more details on the story:



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Thank god he didn't get to do it.

"who Thor's father is"? Are you kidding me?

Logan