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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...)
Those Who Would Play Thor: Unknowns?
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As silly as it sounds, I still think Paul Levesque (aka WWE’s Triple H) should be considered… He’s much more polished than one might give him credit for, he has the look, and was pretty good in Blade 3. Dwayne Johnson isn’t the only ’sports entertainer’ able to hold the center stage (although I cringe at the though of either trying an accent).
no Nikki, I believe it’s Hartnett to play Loki, Thor’s nemesis, based on his performance in ‘O’, the Othello film.
Please consult Jimmy Page for soundtrack, Marvel.
your taste is so bizarre. Are you a news site or an opinion blog? Lose the color, Nikki Finke. Natalie Portman’s one of the finest actresses of our generation.
Lame comic books tend to make lame comic book movies.
Just sayin’.
When will they learn and cast Rachel McAdams? Natalie Portman is only good 65% of the time. Even Jordana Brewster would do a better job than Natalie.
Thor will be the dumbest movie ever. Maybe that will finally be the end of all this superhero crap. I mean, it was fun, but why is this the only kind of movie Hollywood knows how to make now?
Nikki, Natalie Portman’s wooden acting > any of your feeble attempts at wit.
I agree with the posting above, Portman is a fine actress.
Just tell me the news.
Ease off Nikki, Anon @March 16, 2009, 12:57 pm
If Natalie Portman’s one of the finest of the generation I’d hate to see one of the worst. Oy.
Portman’s no Carrie Fisher…Natalie’s pretty but her acting in the SW trilogy is prolly what Nikki’s judging on and it left a lot to be desired. Natalie’s done okay in other films though Fisher’s got an acting pedigree and a unique personality.
Personally I’d go for unknowns in the Thor & female leads cast cast a known actor in the Loki role
Charlie Hunnam would be pretty good, but I heard a rumor/opinion that Alexandar Skarsgard was going to be Thor and Stellan would play his father. That would be epic.
And I agree with the Anonymous person, when you write your opinions into the news it sounds awful and bitter.
- izi
What’s up with the Natalie Portman hate? She’s alright. She just makes bad choices. Actually, really bad choices. Has she ever been in a good movie? Thor is obviously NOT a good choice. Her and a wrestler? That’s just stupid.
Isn’t Josh Hartnett already an unknown? I mean…this guy is actually being pursued for this role?
Or any other, for that matter?
Just for a shakeup – how about Robert Pattinson?
I love how this has turned into a Marvel Studios/comic book movie blog! Thanks Nikki, more fanboys turn to you now than to Harry Knowles!
Well I’ve read some of the script and it reeks! This movie will suck huge no matter who is cast. Though Skarsgard is a good choice.
I agree with Raider – lame comic books do make lame movies. What’s next – a feature about Plastic Man? Ooops, too late. I see the Wachowski Brothers are pursuing it.
“Some Danish dude.” I like it.
Triple H actually does look the part, but there are a crap-ton of people who would probably riot if that happened. This based on the idea that people don’t give wrestlers credit for much of anything (especially acting).
Starksgard brothers are being looked at to play roles in this movie. According to a new AICN spy at Marvel, the director really likes one of them to play Thor.
Come on, with a guy named “Alexandar Skarsgård” in the running, how can you give it anyone else. Imagine his name on the marquee for this movie — hopefully they will festoon it with as many Å’s and Ø’s as possible,
As for Nåthålie Pørtmån — a good actress in my view, especially when she a kid (Leon, Beautiful Girls), but let’s be honest — she is not really famous these days for her acting. She is stunning.
Uh, oh, there appears to be simmering discontent already among the fanboy set. But I feel Marvel will ultimately make the most prudent decision. If there’s one thing they know, it’s their fan base, a horde of portly wiseacres who manifest their sexual frustrations into petty, sarcastic screeds on various comic book forums.
However, these executives better never let their judgment lapse, because if so, the fanboys, fueled by Hostess cakes and Diet Dr. Pepper, will clumsily vault off their lazy behinds and besiege the Marvel Comics compound at Raleigh Studios, where they’ll shake their hammy fists at the studio in strident indignation and threaten the executives with even more invective on the internet.
Skarsgard is going to break out big time. This would be a good one for him.
Hartnett’s terrible. Why keep casting that guy? Is it a silent film?
Was a bit worried about this, but Marvel Studios is starting to gain a reputation for “getting it right” with their properties. The selection of Kenneth Branaugh to direct is what gave this instant credibility, Thor is a medieval origin story and having done a great job on Henry V, most likely got him this. Marvel will get this one right, Thor has been known as one of the last great characters that has’nt had a film yet, also keep in mind that Marvel can also crossover other characters in to the film too, to give it added cache. This film will be BIG, not Iron Man big, but if done right it’s lock for a $200 million gross
Whats with the Portman hate? That wooden acting you’re referring to happened in only three films and those were the Star Wars films. Lucas didn’t allow any of the actors to actually do their thing in those films. They were just props that talk to him.
Nikki’s been including opinion with her reporting since… well, forever. I suspect it’s just viewed a little differently when you disagree with that opinion.
I like Hartnett. I like Portman. He’d be a good Loki… and come on, Portman was awesome in Closer.
Lets see tall blonde and with muscles. Maybe Tom Cruise will dye his hair blonde and revamp his Maverick image. Seriously the only Nordic actor left is Alexander Skarsgård according to Imdb.com. But who is he? Maybe they can make Kevin Costner look younger, because I cannot think of one blonde actor in film who fits the role of Thor. Voote.com lists Brad Pitt and Kieffer and Leonardo C as top blonde actors. I don’t see any of them in blue tights. Soooooooooo. Lets do a central casting to find a new face, someone like Robert Redford.
As for Natalie her performances are sort of maple like, she bends to the wind. I don’t remember her in Cold Mountain. In V for Vendetta she showed some emotion, but she was sort of like a weeping willow.
I thought her best performance was in Garden State where she played an oak tree with lots of nuts. I think she is sexy in that Get Smart type of way and she should stretch her roles. But Thor, no way. Scarlet J is at least Swedish and looks Nordic. Natalie could kiss her career good bye if she was in Thor. A better comic role in depth for Natalie would be in Spider man as Firestar
Charlie Hunnam ROCKS, he’d be great in this. Amazing actor and gorgeous as well.
Really, who cares?
In Thor, we have a property that isn’t as popular as the Hulk and less passionate fanboys than Watchmen.
I know Marvel wants the big Avengers integration, but box office fail begins with Hulk and intensifies with Thor.
Captain America? Eh.
Of course, the fanboys will claim otherwise and – as usual – will be wrong.
The public doesn’t know “Thor”, and the source material isn’t there to make them care. Casting an A list star (which none of the actors listed in in the article are) would be the only draw, then again, an unknown would help save some of the money that will surely be lost on this film.
Fyi, Scarlett isn’t Swedish, she has a Danish dad and a Jewish mutha.
Whoever it is, they need to hold their own onscreen with Robert Downey Jr, Ed Norton, Sam L. Jackson, Don Cheadle, and whoever plays Captain America. So we can go ahead and cross Hartnett and HHH off the list. Since this all will lead up to an Avengers ensemble orgy, Thor needs to be played by a name actor with chops. Too bad legitimately musclebound action heroes have been phased out by sensitive metrosexuals. Also, the Thor comics bored the shit out of me. My friend loved ‘em. Thor is a niche market and may not catch on with mainstream audiences.
i grew up on all the comics from the movies they are making. thor was one of my favorites. triple h couldn’t act his way out of a paper bag. i haven’t seen this name brought up so i’ll just throw this out for discussion. how about Karl Urban? he’s already got the medieval thing going with lord of the rings. not major enough of a character to be typed to that movie. also, he did a great job in that movie pathfinder which was viking related. so he is believable in the role. just wondering…………
Cast the excellent Alexander Skarsgard; give it a “Lord Of The Rings” feel … it’ll be great. Just don’t let it stick too closely to the graphic novel.
(giggles with delight) Charlie Hunnam as Thor!
Read my mind…muscles..loin cloth..intelligence..sensitvity…Gorgeeous looks ughhh! Can I get my ticket now?
Can you imagine Josh Hartnett playing Thor with that vacant expression? I’m not sure I can handle it.
At least Skarsgard was great in Generation Kill. Plus, he looks the part.
KARL URBAN (Éomer – Lord of the Rings) must be a Thor!!! Please, say to all!!!
Karl Urban is an interesting choice …. he’s 6′1″ which is passable according to the casting call … but I think he will turn 37 in June which may be too old to start the role of Thor.
I’m still supporting Skarsgard for this.
Fisrt of all people, lighten up. It’s a fucking comic book.
Second.Speaking of wooden. Has any one seen any of the George Clooney, Val Kilmer, Christian Bale, super hero performances? It’s the effects and the supporting cast that makes the picture because they know it’s a goof, have nothing to loose and everything to gain$$$$. Pity the fool who takes this lead. Amazing how box office justifies a performance. By the way, Brandon Routh was fantastic in Superman.
I’m sorry to throw cold water on this movie, but the whole Thor movie looks to be a real train wreck. It just doesn’t appear to have any broad appeal at all. I think this will make The Punisher movies look like classics.
Oh Christ, come on, Portman is a TERRIBLE actress. She hasn’t been good since Leon when she was 12. If she weren’t so stunningly beautiful (and she is) no one would give her a second thought.
C’mon, Josh Hartnett? Seriously? Has the guy EVER been in a good movie or shown good acting in a bad movie? He is UTTERLY devoid of presence and charisma. 40 Days & 40 Nights? Wicker Park? Lucky Number Slevin? The Black Dahlia? Hollywood Homicide? This squinty-eyed hillbilly robot has been in more bombs than were dropped on Pearl Harbor… oh, wait, he was the “star” of that bomb, also.
Not that Marvel is really skimming the cream of their library by making a “Thor” movie in the first place. In the 50+ years they’ve been publishing that lame book, they’ve never really found a good take on it — the alternative “Ultimates” version is probably the most interesting, but only when compared to other attempts.
The theme of the original Stan Lee Marvel Comics version of Thor is all about the penalties for hubris. Thor mouths off to dad, King of the Gods Odin, and Odin punishes super-strong Thor by imprisoning him inside the weak and feeble body of crippled human, Doctor Don Blake. All to teach Thor humility or somesuch malarkey. I haven’t read the script, but I’d bet Josh Harnett’s acting fee that they’ve ditched the whole trapped-inside-Blake storyline which means the film will just be about the wicked-ass adventures of a Demigod that no one’s worshipped since the Vikings converted to Jesus… and will, in other words, have no connection to anything human or interesting whatsoever to the average non-superhero theatergoer. Kinda like how there were no normal people in Watchmen, so normal people went “ehhhn…”
Marvel really hit the nail on the head with Iron Man: romance + an easy-to-understand-and-identify-with superhero moral lesson + good actors + good writing = Lots of Money. It’s why X-Men did so well: don’t pick on people because they’re different than you. It’s why the revamped Hulk did better than Ang Lee’s pretentious version — inside us all is an angry beast just looking to break out and here’s the story of a guy who let his out to horrible effect. It’s why Iron Man did so well — Arms dealer gets crippled by his own weapons and learns that war is bad. Spider Man? With great power comes great responsibility. Oh, but Man-Thing? Errr… not sure. The Punisher? “Don’t kill my family or you might get killed?” Not really up there with Spider-Man’s easy-to-get message. Thor is another one of these “what’s the point?” superheroes. If the film’s just about people punching one another through walls, well, we’ve seen that done to death now. Aim a tad bit higher.
And never, EVER, cast Josh Hartnett as anything but an android.
They need to advertise it as Marvel presents: Thor, Legend of the Norse God….it could be a series of flashbacks mixed in with modern day…..or history for half and modern with the last half leading up to avengers
Portman an Asgardian??? WTF?!?
Alexandar Skarsgard all the way. The guy can act. He can bring a quiet intensity to the role. Not sure about Portman though. She was good when she first started out, but now…its all about the paycheck.
Um, Tom Cruise… tall? There aren’t enough apple boxes in the world, my friend.
“I shall call him… Mini-Thor!”
Brad Pitt is the man for the role.
If not even Dicaprio with some special effects would look cool and add a third dimension to the character with his acting chops the way Robert Downey did with Iron Man.
HHH could be interesting too.
Should not go for unknowns…look at what happen to Superman. People should learn their lessons.
On Another note….Dwayne Johnson THE ROCK IS THE MAN TO PLAY THE PUNISHER.
There are a lot of worse actresses than Natalie Portman out there. Not that she’s bad, because when it comes down to it, she isn’t.
Natalie Portman IS wooden. She brought the Star Wars prequels down even lower than they already were. WAY overrated.
I have never read Thor so i don’t really know the comic. But I know of one high quality graphic novel i would like to see on the silver screen:Thorgal.For once i would like to see a good movie connected to vikings and norse mythology.
The idea of an ancient VIKING God in MANHATTAN sounds like a way cool movie. Problem is that this movie is set in ASGARD, land of the gods. If it is pretty hard to relate to SUPERMAN, it would be just as hard to relate to a the NORSE God of Thunder. That’s where Thor’s human alter ego, DR. DON BLAKE should come in.
THOR carries a magic HAMMER. that like the sword EXCALIBUR only the WORTHY can lift. He is the prince of the land, his power and strength is second only to his father, King ODIN, AND HE KNOWS IT. It is this arrogance and recklessness that will not go unpunished. So one day Odin will vanish Thor’s disembodied spirit from Asgard, to learn HUMILITY in the body of a disabled human.
Alexander Skarsgard as Thor, his father Stellan as Odin, Jude Law as his villanous brother Loki, Tom Cavanaugh or Kevin McKidd as Dr. Donald Blake, Anne Hathaway as Jane Foster, Natalie Portman might be fine as Lady Sif. Those are my casting suggestions for the Mighty Thor movie.
Stop guessing. The perfect guy is Josh Holloway (Tom Sawyer Lost)
13TH WARRIOR’S VLADIMIR KULICH… NUFF SAID.
This will only be a hit if there’s a lot of full frontal nudity and ultra-violence. The whole Nordic legend genre is really past its prime with the viewing public. Ugh…..indeed.
Viggo Mortenson. Nuff said.
Micah must be the only writer in here.
What -exactly- is it about the Thor story, mythology, or premise that dooms the project?
I haven’t read the script, so I have no clue how good or bad it has the potential to be based just on source material.
Going the other direction, DAREDEVIL had 30 years of great source material, and they made a really $hitt9 movie.
I can’t believe this site is read by industry. Is everyone here related to somebody rich or something?
Charlie Hunnam? really? this Boy could’nt intimidate a Dr.Suess character! they just need to stick with Skarrs trust me he will be perfect!
Punkass Fanboys crack me up. As if it’s THEIR money being spent on productions. You lardass little twirps have NO investment and your silly hysterical opinions mean nothing except to your sweaty palms.
Thor is a very tricky character to bring to the screen.
Set all in Asgard, it could easily work. Not many properties can live up to the LOTR standard. However, Aa cool sword & sorcery epic with frost giants, dragons, and familial betrayal has tons of potential. Iknow people want to write that kind of material off as not having broad appeal, but I think if it looks cool and is done right, people will see it. Look at 300. Yes, a terrible movie. But it looked cool and ended up making a nice bit of money, despite being rated R. Thor can do the same business, if it looks cool. The subject material sets it apart from most other films.
Hartnett is terrible. What’s the draw of having him in a film? Does he bring people into a theater? I’d say no.
Portman is a wooden actress. She was okay in V For Vendetta. However, she doesn’t have much of a presence. She’s cute but not very likeable or interesting.
You know what I love about fan boys. We can drive a porsche. We can go to comic con dressed as Thor or Batman. We believe our egos surpass yours. We can write and if we save our comics make allot of money. We made the stars come to comic con. Some of us are screenwriters, producers and directors.
I think Spielberg is a fan boy. By the Gods of Askgard, MAKE IT SO ( trekkies rule)
Check out chud.
Uh why are people saying Thor is a lame comic?
It’s been one of the best written serial comics out by the big 2 for the last year or so, thanks to current (and established TV) writer J. Michael Straczynski.
And just because Thor may not be instantly recognizable marquee name hero to the public, doesn’t mean it won’t have the ability to catch on with the viewing public. Iron Man definitely wasn’t a superhero in anybodies top 5 and yet the film adaptation did more than okay. I doubt people knew 30 Days Of Night, Ghost World, Road To Perdition, The Mask or Constantine were based on comic books and yet they were all moderately successful despite that.
Finally, I wish people would stop throwing wrestler Triple H’s name up there. No, no, no.
Make Thor into an alien who lands on earth, dies, and is reincarnated as the child of a Manhattan physician-couple with Icelandic and Dane ancestry. His fellow aliens track him down 20 years later, give him his Hammer, and his brother Loki causes mischief but then repents and helps Thor fight the mighty Magog (a creation of global warming plus CO2 emissions)!
Beowulf lebt!
Best casting for Thor:
Kevin McKidd (of Rome, Made of Honor, Grey’s Anatomy, King Arthur)
Lame comic books tend to make lame comic book movies.
Just sayin’.
Good thing Thor is awesome, in that case. Anyone who thinks otherwise, read any of Matt Fraction’s books. Good stuff.
Triple-H FTW!!!
i feel gerard butler should play thor! Any takers?
Josh Holloway should definitely play Thor. I love Charlie Hunnam and he would be awesome, but Josh Holloway would seriously be the best possible Thor.
TRIPLE H IS THOR! WRESTLING IS ACTING! HE WOULD BE PREFER AND ONLY REASON ANYONE DOESNT AGREE IS BECAUSE HES A WRESTLER! WELL F*** U! ITS MADE FOR HIM! IF HE NEVER WRESTLED THIS WUDNT BE AN ISSUE! HE WOULD KICK THE CRAP OUT OF THE OTHER CONTENDERS! FACT!
THOR=TRIPLE H
It’s easy to rag Natalie if you’ve only ever seen her in Star Wars. Anyone worth their nerdcred knows that Lucas makes good performers bad. Natalie has been fantastic in Closer, The Professional, Garden State, etc.
I say Viggo Mortenson is a great choice, yes, HHH has the look but it’s a role that will require some acting, including real dialogue, if they keep to the comics or graphic novels. Another good one is the guy from True Blood that plays Erik, think He was mentioned as well, excellent choice.
Thor is a top notch comic book title, not a front runner, but based on a classic mythological character gone semi-modern, whether they do the stuck in a cripple plot-line or not.
Personally, I wouldn’t mind seeing some of the travels of Thor and Loki in the first half of the movie, then bring it to modern time, or have several flashbacks to those trials. Good old fashioned mythological stories with new audiences that haven’t read them I’m sure.
As for dissing Fanboys, most that I know have cash, and drive box-office sales, you cannot find a more loyal fan of a genre than a Fanboy, more willing to part with their hard-earned nerdmoney than just about anyone. You wanna make box office totals skyrocket, give the FANBOY what He or she wants, period.
As for Natalie, she is a lil wooden, not horrid, but not stunning, except in looks, and those can be matched if not beaten by such actresses who can out act her as Scarlet Johannsen…Just My 2 centavos put in the ring.
Seuss
Thor’s definately the lamest long running title Marvel has. This will not be a good movie no matter who is cast or who directs. The concept of a Norse god having an alter ego should have been shredded in 1967 or whenever it came out. I’m sure no one in the audience will go “hell yeah” even if they stay true to the book and he he taps his walking stick to become THOR!!!!
It really doesn’t matter which era of the book they try to adapt. This will suck in a big way.
Natalie Portman has the body of a little boy. She would make a horrible Lady Sif. I was a HUGE Thoe fan growing up and like the new uniform in the current books.
Natalie Portman’s performance in Closer is one of my all time favorites along with Marion Cotillard’s in La vie en rose and Angelina Jolie’s in Girl Interrupted. Get a grip she’s amazing (forgive her for star wars)
Anyone who thinks Portman’s acting is wooden needs to watch Vfor Vendetta, The Professional and Closer in which she was nominated for an Oscar. All the Star Wars movies had bad acting because of the cheesy lines they were given.
Triple H? Um, hell no. Pro wrestlers are terrible actors and he does not have the look of Thor except for the size thing.
im not sure but i think they’re g0in to screw up like they always do.
i mean, natalie portman?? they have to be kiddin!! she might be good, she might be bad, the thing is, they have to pay more attention to the characters!!!
I disagree with most people here – I say that Thor could have a brilliant message – if written properly. That every man is capable of becoming a God. All he has to do is realize that potential within himself. There’s some philosophy there – enough to make the movie relatable to “normal” viewers.
After seeing some of his movies, I really think you guys and gals should be looking more at James Preston Rogers.
Christopher Reeve was less known before Superman. They guy has the looks AND he can act.
Out of all the rumored casting, I have to say Triple H would be the best Thor. But I still can’t stand the idea of him as Thor.
Personally I think HHH is a bit too polished to play Thor..what about Mickey Rourke he ws OK in the Wrestler