Looks like those rumors were on the money. Though we hadn’t heard much from “Thor” or the Natalie Portman talk in recent weeks, and many assumed they had died away, THR is reporting that Portman has been cast as the female lead in Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of the Marvel comic.
Portman will play Jane Foster, who was evidently Thor’s major squeeze in the comics, something some of us had originally speculated to. Relative unknowns (not for long) Chris Hemsworth (“Star Trek”) has already been cast as Thor and Tom Hiddleston will play Loki, his evil brother and lord of mischief, proving that Branagh wants quality actors before he wants names (though that’s presuming they both can act, and we’ll take Branagh’s word for it, we haven’t seen them in a ton of films).
Production is still set to start in early 2010 with a May 20, 2011 release date.
The whole "main squeeze" aspect of the movie could either be something thought of as necessary in light of Spider-Man spotlighting Mary Jane (and almost every superhero movie before or after it having a paramour), OR (and I'm not up on my ancient Marvel storylines) they might be aiming for a story that's taken from the really early 60s Thor comics? That could arguably be cooler than any modern adaptation since Marvel's tried unsuccessfully to reinstate Thor several times between the early 90s and now.
That's just my wishful thinking, though. And yes (duh) it's inevitably going to focus on the early stuff for origin's sake.
Okay, back to the comic store in my sweatpants I go.
Natalie Portman is HOT!!! I cant wait to see this movie!!!!
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I forgot to say back in the day. I'm really happy with the casting on this — Portman aside — and glad Marvel had the balls to get the right actors for the roles rather than just hire brand name actors.
This is smart on their part and i really, really hope it pays off and rewards them for doing so.
Hopefully they continue this approach for all their films. You don't necessarily need a star. You need the right actor.