Cool News
By Odin's Beard, This Is Tremendous News!
Hey folks, Harry here - and By Hemdale's Eyes - this is truly magnificent news... Kenneth Branagh directing a huge budget THOR movie for release in 2010... it's just tremendous. Mark Protosevich's script is amazing - and Branagh is perfect. I've been a bit sad ever since the loss of Matthew Vaughn on this project... the last Marvel project he exited was handed to the incapable RATner - and I was fearing something equally traumatic, but it seems Feige is pulling it together and has placed the power of creation in Branagh's overly capable hands. Go back and watch HENRY V by Branagh - that budget was the size of the catering on this film - I can't really fathom a Branagh mythical epic on the scale this is going to be, but it shake the pillars of Asgard and the corners of Midgard. Someone has finally given Branagh the keys to the heavens - let's hope he rises to the challenge!
Cross The Rainbow Bridge To ... Variety's THOR Story!
Readers Talkback
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How odd...
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... What self-aggrandizing role will Branagh give himself? Donald Blake? Loki? Odin? Trust me, it will happen.
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i can't think of anything he's directed showing the style needed for thor.<P>hey anybody remember how his escapades with helena bonham carter broke up his marraige with emma thompson?<P>who hasn't fucked helena bonham and who's relationships hasn't she ruined? how does tim burton ditch that huge jugged chick for that scrawny piece?<P>carry on.
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I'm back after a decade bitches
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is a fascinating chap who, when given control, tells a great story, irrespective of the budget. leobloom has a good point about budgets not guaranteeing success, but i think it's safe to trust Branagh. expect him to deliver something in the league of Iron Man.
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this makes Thor very interesting
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What's next? The Coen Brothers directing Superman?
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Some Branaugh projects are indeed good, but I still have a bad taste for his version of another epic, Frankenstein. Hoping for the best, but imho, with the possible exception of Doctor Strange, Thor may be the most difficult Marvel property to successfully translate with out making it look or sound hokey and preposterous. Here's hoping it can be done, because I'd love to see an Avengers movie.
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This film is entirely set within the mythical era of the TALES OF ASGARD, pre-Blake storyline. No Modern world
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Michael Cera IS Odin!
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Would love to see him being portrayed as someone who is considered borderline crazy.. Anyway, this is good news.
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Good luck, Mr. Branagh, this could be awesome.
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Who's that and what does he have to do with Thor? Or is this the same kind of thing as that "Oogra" (Aughra) fiasco?
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Really?
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that there's no Donald Blake in this. FUCKING BULLSHIT.
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The Variety story say it is Donald Blake? http://www.variety.com/article/VR1117993032.html?categoryid=13&cs=1
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copy + paste prz.
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Sif: A Kiss before you go Thor?,br> Thor: I Say Thee, Neigh!
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The Right Way. I think Branagh is the one who could pull it off. He wants to be a character - say Heimdall - okay by me. Thor? Not sure who, but definitely sure not a Hollywood twit boy. And no bodybuilders who can't act. yeesh. How about a UK semi-unknown type? And no to Ultimates Thor. Again, this is the chance to make Kirby work on the big screen (F.F. could've have, even with the Purple helmet outfit had there been faith..) Kirby's mid-to-end of the '60s issues plus perhaps a touch of the Simonson era.
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EMBRACE IT, LOVE IT, AND REMEMBER IT!
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if Thor eats the goats that pull his chariot, careful to not break any of the bones, except for that one shin bone and wakes up to find one of his goats is lame. That would rule.
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Sif: A Kiss before you go Thor?<br> Thor: I Say Thee, Neigh!<p> Damn no auto line break function
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cZHPT4_0NM4
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So then will this will be about as good as Branagh's version of Frankenstien?
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I always wondered why Branagh hasn't done more directing - he's more capable and talented then 90% of the directors working today! This is great news.
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Sept. 28, 2008, 11:18 p.m. CST
"You want me to dress like Thor? I'll dress like Thor!"
by Nasty In The Pasty
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Wow. Thor, or I guess any comic book movie for that matter, doesn't seem like the type of movie Branagh would direct. weird. should be interesting
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The only thing to top it would be Ian McShane as Odin.
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*Your thore! I'm tho thore I can hardly pith
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CGI Emma Thompson, Thor's walking stick: Jackie Chan
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At least its not Rob Zombie
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...and suggest that Harry meant the Norse god Heimdall, who figures prominently in the comics (he guards the Rainbow Bridge between Asgard and Midgard). "Hemdale" sounds like a fictional presidential candidate. ("A vote for Hemdale is a vote for peace!").
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Yeah fuckin actor directors with their self aggrandizing roles! Like when Welles cast himself as Citizen Kane, or Mel Gibson as William Wallace - its disgusting I tell you! The nerve of those talentless bastards!
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all he's even needed was a budget
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A little biased there, Harry? Just what did he do (or not do) that makes you fire the slanderous remarks so quickly?<P> For that matter, he's got nothing to do with this story. Why even bring him up other than to bash him?<P> And I'm sick of being called "apologist" because I liked X3. I liked it. Get over it.
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...that Branaugh was directing the Anchorman sequel. But, now that I think about it, Thor will probably be a better fit for his talents.
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even = ever
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The last time Matthew Vaughn left a Marvel flick, Ratner was his replacement. Also, X3 was absolutely terrible.
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I think Hemdale is a British production company that the director has worked for in the past.
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If they plan on tying it in to The Avengers, then they have to somehow tie it in to the modern world in some way, at the end of the story at least.
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Harry do you recall a little movie called Frankenstein? Branaugh's gonna bring his over-acting sensibilities to a Marvel franchise. I know it's Thor and Asgard and all, but we need someone who won't treat it like a Shakespearean play. Flames on Loki!!!
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...good news methinks. anthony hopkins needs to be in this...so does jeremy irons and malkovich. a semi unknown should play thor. glad to see there not using the whole donald blake thing. still wondering how they'll tie thor into the new "continuity". i still have my FOOM pin and wear it to all the marvel flicks! gods i'm old....
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Sept. 28, 2008, 11:36 p.m. CST
i like Brannagh, but his "frankenstein" was kinda...
by JimmyJoe RedSky
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...for interesting and less than expected choices. Let's hope they can deliver on product as well.<br> <br> Kevin McKidd is my pick for Thor.
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Hope this works out...
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Just sayin'.
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wasn't he?
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Sept. 28, 2008, 11:39 p.m. CST
JMS was writing the Silver Surfer movie, which was shelved.
by Johnny Smith
His Thor comics are reportedly a huge influence on the current direction of the film, though.
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Ive only seen Brannagh's Hamlet but that was ridiculously fucking epic..consider me stoked.
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What a peculiar choice. Perhaps they're slashing the budget a lot (Vaughn quoted the original projected budget at 300 million!) and essentially want to make a talky superhero film that sets up Thor's entry to the world of the Avengers. I can't imagine they're be lots of action in it though.
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Just like Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk? And if it is, are those the only three they've done so far?
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Branagh will cast himself as Thor and make a stupid movie. Just like he does with all his Shakespeare interpretations. Never mind the fact that he's twenty years old to play that part, no one else gets it like he does... What a jackass.
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Yes, on both counts. Except IRON MAN 2 will come out the same year as THOR.
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I'd like to hear him say "Mjolnir" before he dies.
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Of course it will be at the very end of the film but I have no doubt in my mind that Thor will make it to modern day Earth. Remember, Marvel is trying to establish its Avengers characters in the same space and time. Having Odin send Thor to Earth to teach him some humility is inevitable.
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Branagh was only 28 years old when he made this - his first feature film. Still his best. Interesting choice for Thor.
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Why has not directed more. A man of such talent. I still remember seeing Dead Again back in the early 90's.
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big guy who played Grendel in Beowulf and Grendel
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as Blacks<p> It can be called The Ultimate Affirmative Action Universe
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Lots of sweaty half-naked men in battle!!!!
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Sept. 29, 2008, 12:04 a.m. CST
Kenny has but one major special effects motion picture under his
by ARGH!
It's Frankenstein and it friggin' sucks... a lot. I think comparisons to Ang Lee are reasonable, for all intents and purposes these well read, well spoken, intelligent individuals may be too well read, well spoken and intelligent to deliver a great popcorn movie. If they do go with Ultimates style Thor I say great, he's the only interpretation of the character I've ever thought was worth reading; all others came across as pretentious or silly. If one Avenger flops, how will that bode for the rest of the team? Would that be like throwing Halle Berry's Catwoman into Batman 7 (Dark Knight 2, Batman Begins 3, um, whatever)? Hmmm, curiouser and curiouser... And has anyone noticed that now that there's been a couple of actually decent comic flicks that Daredevil (and its director's cut) are pretty much unwatchable? And does anyone think Spidey will be in this new Avengers? Does one studio hold all the rights to potential Avengers? And how many times will Ant Man beat his wife between the span of two films?
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Can anyone imagine this film being made for over 100 million? I'd say they're going to try making it for Hellboy II money.
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in Kingdom of Heaven
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Considering the amount of time left for X3 release date, he pulled a decent job within impossible schedules. And i enjoyed Red Dragon, sue me!
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Oh I'm sure you'll get that and more..but I gotta say this at least makes this interesting now that Branagh is at the helm..I wonder if it will a bombastic Asgard and full of intrigue and betrayal..Oh the Humanity!!
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But I love Much Ado About Nothing, so they cancel out. Could be interesting.
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The Yellow M, famous euro graphic novel. With Malkovich too, nice bunch of people.
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Which gives me both hope and concern since he hasn't made a good movie in a long while.
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If it's not obviously in the M.U., and there's no Donald Blake, I'm not much more interested in seeing this than I was, say, 13th warrior. That's a bit like a Spiderman movie that's solely about Spidey's wrestling career.
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Win.
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in a world where Downey can be Iron Man and Norton is Hulk, I honestly think the way to go is...<br><br> GERARD BUTLER as Thor <br><br>...but not sure he could pull off the blond hair. or how about SEAN BEAN?
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doesn't deserve the hate. It's just some weird thing this site has against him. As a director, Ratner's just average. Hell, he's made better films than Indy IV.<p> X-Men 3 sucked, but Fox wouldn't have let _any_ director make a good X-Men 3.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 12:19 a.m. CST
Goddamnit, I thought this was Anchorman 2: More Anchory.....
by The Dum Guy
But, I guess a blonde haired, musclely, Norse, Man-God, should excite some people...
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as the fat guy in the warriors three...Brian Blessed as any citizen of Asgard, really. I would bet money he's in it somehow.
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After all, Iron Man gave us the Ultimates Nick Fury.
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...or at the very least, he'll definitely be in there somewhere.
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totally left field choice here, but one that could make a very interesting film. i've always preferred the Asgard stuff and found Thor's adventures on Earth to be less interesting, but that does leave one wondering how they will make Thor's appearance in the Avengers movie seem logical when most people will only know him in a fantasy setting.
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There's no way in a million years I would've thought Branagh would even CONSIDER directing something like this, so yes, awesome news. But I do worry about his record with visual effects. He IS an amazing director, but he's certainly not without his missteps. Still, I consider his Hamlet to be THE Hamlet - the guy knows how to tell an epic story - so that definitely overpowers my doubts for now.
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Do you think the general movie going public is picking up on the tie-ins at the end of the current Marvel movies, or is it just us comic book geeks noticing the crossovers?
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Because the Ultimates Thor sucks a fat one.
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he seems more in touch with action and adventure, Branagh seems more risky, too highbrow. But it could turn out amazing too. Frankestein was certainly not all bad.
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Perfect casting, sir!<p>Brian Blessed as the King of the Gods! There can be no other candidate, surely?
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There's an interesting looking new comic called The Wolves of Odin: http://grantgould.com/ vikings-vs-werewolves
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Mikkelsen's Vildspor co-star seems tailor-made to be Thor. Though he's currently the lead in Ron Moore's new show, so if that succeeds, he probably wouldn't have time. Still, look him up. He's got the PERFECT look, and the acting chops from what I've seen.
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Did ANYONE see this coming?! AWESOME NEWS THOUGH.
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He runs hot and cold as a director and an actor. Stick to the roots of the character and don't try to modernize Thor too much and we'll be in decent shape. Just PLEASE don't cast DeNinro (or Pacino for that matter,) in this movie, especially as the title character or Odin.
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I can barely thit down!
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That guy's pretty dang awesome... I'd LOVE to see him take on the old Norse gods of THOR! He's got tons of talent... can direct, write, act and doesn't have anything else on his plate, to my knowledge.<p>Let 'im at 'em! Maybe he can talk his ex into playing Hela, Queen of the Underworld...
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Lois and Clark were there.
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...how will he take part in the upcoming AVENGERS movie?
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It'd cool if they got Tilda Swinton to play Loki, as well. She's evilly delicious... >:)
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Kenneth Branagh is an excellent filmmaker. I can't even begin to imagine what he'll bring to this film.
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I could definitely see Nikolaj Coster-Waldau as Thor. I recognize him from the short-lived "New Amsterdam". I think he could pull it off, but they might want at least a slightly more recognizable name/face to headline the movie.
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Love Branaugh! I forgot just how awesome that speech is in Henry V
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Yeah, a property like Thor would need a big name in the lead if they want to make money. Unless they went the Superman Returns route and cast a big name as the villain and more recognizable names as supporting roles. If Branagh did go that route, Waldau should be his guy. <p>I didn't care for "New Amsterdam," but I thought he was good in what I saw. Based on script reviews I've read and with Ron Moore in charge, "Virtuality" should be a much better star vehicle for him. If Fox doesn't kill it first, of course.
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Good call - The Superman Returns route might be the way to go. After all, they can't have ALL A-list stars for these characters if they plan to be able to get them all in The Avengers!! The cast budget alone would be too much.<br><Br>...and of COURSE Fox will kill it. That's what they do with shows that have any promise whatsoever.
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And here I was thinking that Marvel was going to start playing it safe. I love this shit.
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It would be even cooler if he also played Red Skull imo. ☺
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OMFG
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Although I really didn't like Protosevich's script for I Am Legend, the fact that Branagh is gonna be directing this has got me really excited. I've always thought that he is a fantastic film maker.
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Thought I heard that one a few weeks ago...
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Given that he was the inspiration for Kirby's Thor. Jack Kirby's Thor was never this big Viking refridgerator; he was rather slim but tall, pretty graceful like Heston. And like him he lacked humility and was prone to big bloated speachs.
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I've been boycotting Fox since the end of Arrested Development. Then I was lured back in by the fact that they had no less than 3 sci-fi pilots in the same TV season that I couldn't ignore (though Fringe was disappointing, I still have high hopes for Dollhouse and Virtuality). The bastards. I don't know why I keep doing this to myself.<p> And good call on the Avengers, too. I hadn't even thought about the star price tag on that one. But yeah, between Thor and Captain America, since Cap's the leader, he's probably the one they'd really need to be an A-lister. Though Thor will certainly be a gamble without one. But I think Thor's just a gamble any way you slice it.
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Apparently, it's OFFICIAL--anyway, good news. Thor, I don't care about--Thor movie, directed by Branagh, whole different story for me
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You know it to be true
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mark my words
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Was most likely drawn from Fleming looking up THE MIGHTY THOR and reading that was his terrestrial identity - but having read 2 drafts, there is no Donald Blake - and no room for him.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 2:05 a.m. CST
Who cares when AVATAR is fucking our eyeballs in 2009?
by Motoko Kusanagi
nobody
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Dario Argento or David Lynch as director and James McAvoy as Thor...think about it!
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To the Kevin McKidd supporters, agree with you he is a great actor, but thought Thor needs to have a bigger presence. <P> McKidd is 6'0, his partner in crime from Rome, Ray Stevenson (6'4) would be a better choice for me, but looks like his agent went for the money over quality - hence the latest Punisher. <p> The other guy who I had mentioned as decent choice for Cap but also think for Thor is Alexander Skarsgård, also at 6'4 and a great actor (watch Generation Kill, if you havent already).
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He's been an actor with Branagh since HENRY V, and he's astonishing. As for the script, it isn't online, I don't believe.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 2:53 a.m. CST
Gunter Schlierkamp for THOR!!! He's the next SCHWARZENEGGER!
by most excellent ninja
Dude is a (lightly) trained actor, but he has the charisma, the accent, the look. The body. He played Thor(the Marvel Thor) in a credit card commercial and has been pursuing the role if one came about, he read comics for the commercial. But what seals it is he has taken training in acting for a while now. So there's my pick.
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That's the name most often mentioned I believe, he'd be perfect. Lots of potential LOKI's... Bean, Mikkelson, Branagh himself... how about Michael Sheen, he was awesome as Lucian! ODIN - Max von Sydow
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is one of the most grotesque cinematic abortions of great material ever shat upon the silver screen. Darabont's script was genius, a perfect adaptation. The final work was a travesty of epic proportions. <BR><BR>That said, Kenneth has made HENRY V, DEAD AGAIN & HAMLET - 3 truly great films in my estimation. The maggoty spoiled corpse of Mary Shelly's Frankenstein will always be there in his career, so that is why I say that he must RISE TO THE MATERIAL - as this is grander material than he has ever had before him, the grandest stage that he's ever performed upon - and he must RISE. Because if he falls, he has never fallen from such a precipice as this.
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How stunningly perfect the choice of Brannagh is for this! Sure, his excesses in Frankenstein (not to mention the casting of DeNiro) led to a rather silly and bloated film. But Brannagh's theatricality and sweeping vision might just be the key for the Norse motif of Thor. Tempered with the subtle darkness and keen attention to character he's shown through various films he's directed. This truly makes the movie quite a bit more interesting.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 3:12 a.m. CST
Branagh 4 Thor! and how many Marvel movies in 2010 anyway?!
by TallBoy66
Just paint on some abs ala 300 for Branagh and have him play Thor. And, off the top of my head, I'm thinking Marvel Studios has Avengers, Captain America & Thor lined up for that year. Maybe Iron Man 2 as well. And Sony, although not a part of the Marvel Studios movie base, may have Spidey 4 up by that point. Jesus God!
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I think Captain America and The Avengers are coming out 2011.
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You need someone in the mold of Vladimir Kulich from The 13th Warrior.<p>http://tinyurl.com/3ske26</p><p>Mix that with a bit of his co-star Dennis Storhoi.</p><p> http://tinyurl.com/3vj3f2</p><p>Very fitting.</p>
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linked to this, I'm afraid Ratner would probably do the best job. What a world we live in.
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I really hope they give Thor an old-icelandic accent. i wouldn't be able to connect to the character otherwise :-)))
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I'd like to hear feedback on that one. I"m on the fench on it myself and this is coming from a guy that likes Jude Law as an actor and forget about Cain. He's a fucking legend and that goes w/o saying.
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for purpose sake but still.
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... your mouth, God's ear, man.
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Frankenstein looked amazing! It had a great cast and i thought the de-niro make-up was excellent it was just too melodramtic or shakespeary when it should have Hammer Horror! the bits with Branagh nekid and sweaty pushing his machine around were wrong as were John Cleeses Teeth!<P>This might be a big gay match made in heaven though!
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and from what i remember they all died in a mass suicide.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 4:32 a.m. CST
rise to the challenge? cause thor is more difficult than hamlet
by zapano
frankenstein is not that bad. it's a bit manic and poorly paced, but definitely watchable. for the first time i'm actually looking forward to thor
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Ron Perlman?
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for the soundtrack! haha, that'd be awesome!
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will he show up to the set in a giant steampunk spider? will he have hot chicks in old west lingerie as his henchmen?
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If only Marvel had been so kind to the Fantastic Four.
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A pure stroke of genius. The only way Thor's universe can be really deemed as believable is probably as a Shakesperian tale, and given Sir Lawrence Olivier is dead, no one better than Brannagh to give him to life. Brannagh will surely attract many A-list actors interested in playing Loki, Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins?) and the Enchantress (lol, Angelina Jolie? can we dream of that?). Now if only Marvel can get its properties back from Fox (specially Fantastic Four), my dreams would be complete.
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Now there's news that makes my geek heart smile. This can't happen soon enough. Brilliant.
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but I do like Branagh. Maybe he'll be less snobby and more true to the comic.
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....fact.
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20th Century Fox can take the heat for the FF movies: the only movies Marvel themselves have made so far are Iron Man and the Incredible Hulk, so I say they've got nothing to apologise for except taking so long to become a film studio.
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Thor was some overgrown biker wannabee with a toy hammer.
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TAKE BACK WHAT YOU SAID ABOUT THOR
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Ken's an interesting choice for director. I can see why they picked him. We are talking something quite Shakespearian and dramatic. Can he handle action and effects though?
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Looks like Marvel are really taking their material seriously & trying to get the best team for he project at hand. In Iron Man, they needed a director who's done the playboy scene....step forward Favreau(SWINGERS) & an actor who understands wasting talent, substance abuse(later) & resposibillity....step forward Downey JR. In Hulk, they were looking for the light & the dark that is in all of us....&from a limited pool, plucked Ed Norton. In Thor, I think they'll be going for Shakespearian feel of grandeur, which can be the only reason for Brannagh. Now hopefully they'll look to try & get back their "lost" properties and do them right!
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After seeing him as Boromir, it seems a good fit. Problem is, he's not a recognizable star outside of geekdom. I read one of you mentioning Brad Pitt, which could work, but I think Pitt had one BIG-SUMMER-ACTION-MOVIE in him -- Troy -- and now he's probably over the entire genre. (Even though in Troy, he WAS Thor.) A lot of the names being mentioned are complete nobodies to the average moviegoer, the casting of which would make the movie seem small. Yeah, I know 300 sidestepped this star problem b/c of the interest people had in the unique visuals of that movie, but Thor's producers are surely looking for the type of star that might show up on the cover of People magazine. Some of your casting ideas could be great, but they'd never fly.
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Why no Vaughn?
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My interest in a Thor movie has now gone from 0% to 10%.
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I love Marvel’s unusual taste in directors. People were worried at first about Jon Favreau and his lack of big summer tent pole experience, and we all saw the great ride Iron Man turned out to be. There was some concern over Downey Jr’s casting at first, I remember. But, again now I can't see anyone else as Tony. Louis Leterrier pulled off a more fun(sorta) Hulk, or a least one with far less introspective stares at lichen , though Connelly's hottness was sorely missed . I am really beginning to trust Marvel with their picks for talent. I hear nothing but good things about the Thor script and introing Thor in Asgard sounds like a great segway into his fall to the mortal plane before Avengers, giving the audience a great way to rationalize why there is a fucking Norse thunder god on the team. Though part of me is just a little sad they didn’t use the Millar’s Ultimates route and just have everyone think he was insane until the big reveal that no, he really IS a god in Ult 2. That could have been played for great levity in the Avengers flicks, but what the hell do I know? Marvel is doing great so far; so if they think Kenneth Branagh’s got the goods I’ll go with that. I wish him luck; especially with having to deal with all of us breathing down his neck for the next… what two years?... poor bastard.
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I'd rather watch Lee's Hulk than Letteriers any day. Even if lee's went off the deep end 3/4 the way in, at least it tried to do something with the character on than having him go Full Retard. HULK... SMASH!!!!
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He just got lost in subtlety... The Hulk films need to find a balance between long introspection and repressed emotions and HULK SMASH!!! They're not there yet.
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At this point they just have to rework the shite as it is.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 7:10 a.m. CST
can harry be volstag? danny trejo be hogun? branagh wants fandra
by JRKerr
struth
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Sept. 29, 2008, 7:19 a.m. CST
Agreed. But if they ever try to give Hulk another try (or a sequ
by Droid
I'd suggest giving it to Andrew Stanton. If you've seen Wall-E, you've seen how an (almost) silent character can be realised into an individual, complete personality. Plus, quiet simply, the guy just makes great movies. How Leterrier got the gig just baffles me.
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and since he did X-Men in full makeup it's not like there would be a lot of comparisons made. Yes, Bean would make a great Thor. Urban would too, but as he's done LOTR and Pathfinder it's probably time for him to seek out other roles so he doesn't get pegged just for those. Clancy Brown's been done. Viking from Bad Boys as a viking in Pathfinder.
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http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7rnTpR4M1ZI&feature=related
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Hasn't Alan caumming alrady portayed the mischievious one in the Mask sequal??
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Sept. 29, 2008, 7:29 a.m. CST
Oh, that's right. I forgot. I didn't see that turd
by Grammaton Cleric Binks
of a movie but now that you mention it, you are correct it was him. So Mask 2 sucked, but if they're trying to do a serious Thor movie, I think Cumming could redeem himself. Under all that makeup he was great in X2.
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and Rufus Sewell too (he'd make a great Loki. That is all.
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Lee’s way was bitched about as too art house… and didn’t get the expected bank…so Marvel, I guess, overcompensated and went full ‘tard smash… hence frenchy action boogie...And Marvel wanted bank, but still didn't get it. And yes saw Wall-E and completely agree with the way the character should emote. Stanton could do wonders if there is a third flick.
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It better not be Branagh himself- and he better not direct that thing like its a Shakespearean Stage Play- I just don't want to see it all Hammy...in so many ways that word works, because Kenneth has indeed put on a few pounds lately.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 7:38 a.m. CST
I'd like to see Branagh in this, but not as Thor
by Grammaton Cleric Binks
Not only is he a great actor and director, but he is one of the few, like Clint and Mel, who can do both at the same time.
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Load it up with really great Shakespearian actors in supporting roles to pull off these Gods and monsters. Bring their A game, and they could really make Thor a thing to remember. If he were still around I'd have loved to have seen Oliver Reed as Odin... I miss that man.
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See Asgard first, bigger than life, Shakespearianly grand in its verbage and swagger, and then when Thor is confronted with the "real" world in Avengers, you can completely get the disjointedness of his situation. Super heroism would be the only thing close to his old daily life that Midgard could offer, he’d jump at the chance to be in the game, join the team, how ever the hell they’re going to pull it together.
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Brendan Gleeson as Vlostagg the Voluminous. Goran Visnjic as Hogun the Grim and Cary Elwes as Fandral the Dashing.
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"grandest material"- Grander than Hamlet, Much Ado About Nothing (his best), Henry V etc by Shakespeare? <P>You don't get Grander than Shakespeare.
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His I Am Legend, although revered in LaLaLand, is crap. It's easy to find online and read...man it was a stinker. So let's see all the changes he makes to Thor.
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The property itself is DATED and corny to begin with ... and then they hand it off to an aging Shakespeare nut? How the F do you go from Matthew Vaughn (awesome VISUAL director) to Kenneth Branaugh?
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...just have Thor speak in Norse with subtitles. Everyone'll be like "What is he speaking, German?" as a running gag. Of course later we uses an enchantment via Mjolnir to learn modern English and we forget all about the Norse and we never even go near all the "methinks" and "forsooths" that Stan Lee had him spouting.
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I don't know what Harry's read or thinks he's read, but Donald Blake will be in this movie. Marvel Studios is doing this, not Fox. Marvel knows not to try to set something this big in "Tales of Asgard" world. Ugh.
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five minutes to set up for the sequel. Bill made Thor his bitch in the comics, before they became friends.
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The visuals are going to be easy given the material, but getting people to believe that there is a Norse God of Thunder and he now walks among us as a superhero was going to need character development and acting just to make it believable at all. And I in no way think Vaughn couldn't have done just that, I think he'd have great; I just hope their not overcompinsating again. I mean when you think about it, its easier to buy the idea of a real superman than a real Thor. Of all the Avengers, Thor is going to be the hardest to sell to the general movie going public.We'll just have to see.
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Actually no, but I think that Kenneth Branagh as the director is a bad choice. Mark Singer or Sam Raimi would have been better. Thor ain't Shakespear. The Hamlet movie he did was too long and too boring. Thor is about him kicking someone's ass. The fact that he is a Norse god is just the background. Branagh will actually give Thor pages of lines to speak, when I just want him to hit a giant with his hammer. This will suck. Better luck with Iron Man II.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 8:24 a.m. CST
That scene from The Incredible Hulk was so wretchedly awful, I c
by Curious Jorge
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it's heimdal
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Yeah, thats right. Superhero movies should just "kick ass", and not have "annoying pages of dialogue" like that dumb Hamlet. How about you put down the Mountain Dew and read a book you silly fat fuck.
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I was prepared for Anchorman 2. Please let that NEVER happen. Movie sucked ass.
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NOTHING! Perfectly flawless adaptation of the novel, replete with all the melodrama the novel spills forth.
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so sue me
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...superhero Thor? Because Norse mythology Thor could be mighty indeed...shiny suit wing helmeted comic book Thor would be very homosexual.
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Thor the movie is going to be about Thor in Asgar before his banishment to the Marvel U. So you'll get the Norse Pantheon and a two hour flick that will be like a comic/Norse mythology amalgamation that'll then lead to the purely Marvel Superhero as this Thor will become in Avengers. Kind of an odd idea, but at least its inventive.
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What a load of shite Harry, Branagh is one of the most inventive and intelligent minds in modern theatre, and had this been a piece of wagnerian norse mythology then I'd consider lauding some praise, but Thor the comic, by far one of the least interesting and most hyperbolically dull characters ever, is not the greatest material Uwe Boll has had in front of him let alone Branagh who has Shelley and Shakespeare already under his belt.<p> Also I liked Frankenstein, it wasn't amazing but it certainly wasn't the shitheap you make out. That said you liked Daredevil didn't you...
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Maybe in hor could be molded into something you'd like give it a chance.
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maybe Thor in Branagh's hands could be turned into something you'd like given half a chance? You never know.
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Mark Singer? The Beastmaster?
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as Thor....you know you want it
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Sept. 29, 2008, 9:08 a.m. CST
Fred likes the idea of an Asgard based Thor
by Freds_Balls_in_a_Mason_Jar
It eliminates the whole 'Demi-God in a modern setting' problem that Marvel was going to have marketing a Thor movie, and it also allows for a greater fantasy element. Fred not too sure about Kenneth Branaugh, but what the heck?
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Could work.
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I'm kinda digging that..I find it interesting at least..liked him in Generation Kill..I have True Blood recorded but havent watched it yet.
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Skwisgar Skwisgelf, and Loki should be played by Toki Wartooth.<p> WoWEEE!
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It's takes balls to put yourself out there and go Full Retard. Well done mate, your comment "The Hamlet movie he did was too long and too boring." has to be the most idiotic thing I've ever read on this site. I've seen Rob Schneider movies smarter than you!
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This will be a great wait and see.
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Nathan Explosion with a dye job and a voice coach... fucking awsome.
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Ack! Sounded funny at the time!
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will ever fill the utter vapidity of one minute of Duce Bigalo 2. Mankind earned its extinction at the hands of genetically engineered field mice the minute that smoking pile was green lit and assured our place (as a species) in the ninth level of hell itself because even one person paid to see it in a theater. We are all damned. As silly as Leafar came off... nothing, and no one, shall ever surpass the mental black hole that is Rob Schneider's filmography.
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At least he looks like Thor. And he had that Sledgehammer-thing going in the ring.
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I wonder how much leeway / freedom directors get on these Marvel projects. I can't image too much, I think Marvel watches their every move. Pixar manages to put out one good movie after another, like they've found some kind of filmmaking-by-committee formula that actually works. Gone are the days when a director walks in and makes 'his' vision of a Marvel character.
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I can't go after folks. But you have my permission to ream Ray for wanting to cast a fucking wrestler as Thor in a film by Kenneth Branagh... I won't even attempt to stick up for him... please do what I cannot!!!
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Kevin McKidd has been the big rumor for some time but I'm betting against it; not a bad pick (he has the acting chops) but it's hard to see him carrying the right frame for it. However, he is MILES better as a pick than Bradd Pitt - who would merely be recreating his Achilles character from Troy (a terrible film by all reckoning although he was fine). But I am betting it's going to be Jouko Ahola of Finland...you may remember him as the huge German knight who got an arrow in the throat in Kingdom of Heaven. He's got size, acting ability and looks the part.
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But seriously Ray... Triple H? Did you see Blade 3? And if so, why? I had to ask myself that one too. My God man.
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by this news!! It has the potential to be something both really effective and strikingly different in the world of superhero movies. Someone earlier suggested Viggo Mortenson as Thor. I think that's a horrible idea, but I must confess I would be fascinated to see what an unhinged Viggo might do as Loki! hmmmmmmm....
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and you make a convincing argument re: deuce 2. I don't watch wrestling so i have no idea who Triple H is... That being said, casting a wrestler in anything is usually a terrible idea.
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I was thinking Anchorman myself. I know it has it's haters around but I think there was flashes of comic genius all through out that film. Anyways, sounds like Thor could be like a mini LOTR if done correctly.
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Most appropriate. Stargate reference. Ever.
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Most appropriate. Stargate reference. Ever.
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...epic filmmaking on a budget sure... both Henry V and Hamlet show that, but I think something overlooked is his casting choices. He tends to use a mix of favorite Brits (Derek Jacobi, Richard Briers), favorite comedic Brits (John Cleese, Stephen Fry, Hugh Laurie) and odd Hollywood types (Charlton Heston, Robin Williams, Jack Lemmon, Denzel Washington, Alicia Silverstone, Nathan Lane, Michael Keaton)... the casting of this film will be one I look forward to greatly.
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NEEDS to be in this movie in some capacity. Maybe even as Odin himself!...For fuck's sake, his name has the word THOR in it!!<br> <br>Make it happen!<br> <br>Oh yeah, and three words...<br> <br>FIN....FANG....FOOM!..Big ass dragon, Kirby style!
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Then you haven't seen Conan the Barbarian and I don't wish to know you.
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Go back and reread your own review of X-Men: The Last Stand and stop pandermongering<BR><BR>This is not me standing up or dismissing Ratner - I just don't see a point to all the abject, mob culture hate of someone mediocre.<BR><BR>And Frankenstein was far from a cinematic abortion!
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Sept. 29, 2008, 11:05 a.m. CST
No one can pull off a faux Lee/Shakespearean accent like The Sha
by toadkillerdog
Yes, William Shatner as Thor!
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...movie and was having a conversation about how Thor the Marvel character was always such a huge disappointment and let down considering the mindbending gritty frozen coolness that is the Norse source material..... I'll give this a chance...I hope they give us something better than Aquaman with a winged metal mixing bowl on his head.
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William Shatner!
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That's an inspired choice. I can't wait to see what Ken delivers.
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this will make one fantastically stupid movie.<p> Thor didn't even make sense in the comic-book lexicon. He's a demigod.
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...weren't involved....sort of can't wait to see what he does with this though...
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It wasn't nearly as good as it could have been, if you've read the book you can't arue that it was way more faithfull than the classic Karloff version. Of course Branagh's version is totaly forgetable in comparision, but it's more way faithfull to Shelley's story, at least the fisrt two acts. Anyway, speaking of respect to the source material, how respecfull is "The Mighty Thor (comic)" to its root material (norse mithology)? Not very, isn't it?
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People are actually excited by a Thor movie? He's a scantily-clad, musclebound, long blonde-haired religous figure with a hammer.
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Keep the cast North European. And yeah, Frankenstein was horrible. The design was uninspired and De Niro - what a colossal mistake. Laughable. Henry V was really good though.
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Wow. Branaugh. That's inspired. Henry V & Hamlet are fuckin grand. Viggo's a good second choice for THOR...but who're we McKidding. Give the role to the Scot.
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So awesome if true but I can't really believe it...
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Sept. 29, 2008, 12:12 p.m. CST
and also put me on the list for a McKidd supporter as well.
by MRJONZ72
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...as to how this is going to be blended into the realistic tone of Hulk and Iron Man they've deleloped so far. <p> And yes dammit...Shatner as Thor is too unbelievablly cool to contemplate.
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He's still alive! MAX VON SYDOW 2nd choice!
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The only good movie he's ever donw was Henry V. Everything else has been SHIT.
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do it John...amazing news by the way
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Anyone agree?
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Ain't it cool?<p> Yes. Yes, it is.
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I love that tall, blonde swede. He was in HBO's Generation ill and is now in True Blood. Wearing a Thor wig.
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Says you. Iron Man was a decent and uninventive first and second act with a PATHETIC third act. Not to mention, there were only three scenes with the MkII/III that were each about 10 minutes long. We barely got to see Stark BEING Iron Man. I enjoyed X3 more than Iron Man.
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i originally heard that he would be playing thor. was not happy at firstbut then i pictured him as achilles with a beard and it started to grow on me. that AND Matt Damon as Captain America. that line-up would be epic. norton, downey jr, pitt, and damon...think about it, world. get back to me.
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I was thinking of how Vincent D'Nofrio was "Thor" in "Adventures in Babysitting", and thought about how it was too bad his heart pills have made him a bit thicker. Then I thought, What if he let his beard go and wore a patch and played Odin. I like that a lot, but probably because I have a man-crush on Vince. <P>I can see how going with Branagh might work. He's good with making ye olde-ish English sound natural, so if Thor's still using all of the thous and thines, that could be fun. And, of course, Willem Defoe for Loki, because we geeks haven't had enough of him as a Marvel villain.
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Good first act........and then everything was mediocre. So no, not perfect.
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Methinks if I wereth the man I was five years ago hence, I would take thine FLAMETHROWER to thee place! HOOOOOOOOO-AHHHHHHHHH.
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I was all worried if you cared or not. Now I know!
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I swear by Odin's Beard.
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Great god he was amazing in that role. Inspired and inspiring.
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Frankenstein was it for Branagh, but his Shakespeare films were superb. The casting speculation ranges from the plain silly-on-purpose to some bad ideas (I like Pitt in other films, but not to Thor and 'Troy' was terrible). The only other director for this would be...Peter Jackson, of course.
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As a kid I loved reading Norse myths and legends. So from that standpoint, I dig the idea of a Shakespearean actor/director taking on this material. I was never really a fan of the Thor comics. The whole Donald Blake identity was contrived and silly, (even to an eight-year old) and its omission from this script makes this project even more appealing. The Norse tales were fascinating because their gods were not immortals and they knew it. They were just as fallible as their worshippers, and they knew their end (Ragnarok) was approaching. Beautiful, rich stuff, and a goldmine for a talented director with a quality script. It's almost too bad they're eventually going to turn it back into just another superhero movie. Anyway, my friends who have met Mr. Branagh tell me he is a nice guy and a real gentleman, so good luck to him (and Marvel) with Thor.
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Saw him in a pretty cool Chrisopher Lambert inquisition film from a year ago or so. Still looks the same and still has that booming voice. MUST BE BRIAN BLESSED!!! I think Bran directed him years ago in Midsummers Night Dream so he has to have Brian's number!!! Now Please no steroid enhanced TMZ hollywood jerkoff for Thor. I say they cast an honest to god big ass Norwegan. Or if we have to have a hollywood douche then at least let's get Roland "Arnold clone only much taller" Kickinger
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will this movie be based in God-land or on Earth? Or both? What are Thor's weaknesses?
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Thor right there.
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That second video of Thor reminds me of the Invincible animated series. It is just a bunch of comic book panels or still drawings with pan and scan + bad voice acting. Ugh. Anyway, I dont really want a fantasy epic as a Thor movie. I want it modern. Hmm.
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Try wikipedia for all your Thor (comibook) info needs.
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Butler I think he's the most logical choice
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because of all the stupid shaking. and the ridiculous ratio of money paid to length of the episode. AND ALL THE FUCKING SAHAHAHAHHAAAAAKKAKAKKAKAKKINNNGNGNGNGGGGG
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Yeah, I loved the comic, so when I saw there was an animated version, I was stoked. When I saw it and realized it was just a direct visual lift of the existing panels with shake-pan-scan-cam and bad voice acting (mostly) I was horrified. Bah! I still want a REAL animated Invincible (or Astro City or Noble Causes or Powers).
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Brian Blessed would make a brilliant Odin. There can be no other choice. And Branagh himself would make a fantastic Loki! If you don't believe me, just check him out as Iago in "Othello" alongside Lawrence Fishburne.
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I LOVE Kenneth Branagh. I'm fairly confident he can handle it. I'm not a Marvel fan, but still I'll watch it now for sure!
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uninspired, unoriginal and decent comic book movie. Held only by the weight of Robert Downey Jr's personality. Those thinking it was better than The Dark Knight were fooling themselves. And I'm fairly sure Thor will be better too now with Branagh directing it.
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I fucking hate Kenneth Branagh. I don't throw the word "hack" around very freely, but Branagh is definitely a hack.
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Last thing I remember from Brannagh was the Sleuth Remake, and that was....different. Didn't quite rise to the occasion in my mind, but it wasn't horrendous. Biggest thing I liked was how evil Law seemed in the "big reveal" scene. He resembled a young Terrence Stamp, and I'd be happy to see him play a good villain in a big SFX tent pole, particularly if he gets to be an evil god....but hey, casting is the fun part and that's probably a ways away. Hell YES to Brian Blessed!!!! But also Derek Jacobi would be fun too. Not quite as right as Blessed, but still awesome stuff. Can't say that Marvel's Thor is mighter material than Hamlet though, that's just stupid. The challenge is making it more than pulpy silly shit.
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Forsooth, I demand JUDE LAW (or Paul Bettany) for LOKI. <br>I demand KENNETH BRANAGH (or Brian Blessed)for ODIN<br> And lastly, I suppose DOMINIC PURCELL would be a nice, arrogant Norse God.
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If done well, it could be as big as "Lord of the Rings", without the long drawn out-ed-ness.<br><br> If done poorly, expect "300" without all the great acting.
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Sept. 29, 2008, 5:30 p.m. CST
Surprised AICN didnt post the adventures in babysitting youtube
by Stalkeye
..best line out the whole movie:"Thor is a Homo"!
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psyche
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Don't lest any single mothers touch your hammer.
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You know thw idea of Vincent D'Nofrio getting the beard on and playing the big fella is kind of interesting. After all he played Robert E Howard in that biopic back a few years and there's nothing more like the Norse legends than Conan. Yeah, sound like an interesting take on it. Having said that, I can see Brian Blessed there too...
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But, I wonder who he will cast himself as in the film?
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Sure, FRANKENSTEIN sucked, but Branagh is a true prodigy who was acting and *directing* in a multitude of plays--many highly acclaimed Shakespeare productions--starring the best actors alive (e.g., Derek Jacobi; Judi Dench) whilst just in his mid twenties! <BR><BR>That ain't a hack, Omar. Branagh is an immensely skilled and talented actor/director. You may not like him for a variety of personal reasons, but that doesn't change the reality of his most impressive resume.
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who, despite his talent and skill, *is* an indisputably self-aggrandizing prick, will cast *himself* as Loki. And, hey--he'll be great, so who gives a shit?
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I immediately thought of Jude Law & Paul Bettany for Loki, myself.
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think not many of you have read the comic books. Thor is HUGE! Most of the actors mentioned would have to start taking steroids now with a HGH chaser. Jouka Ahola is the best choice by far. We seen too little of him in Kingdom Of Heaven. The only others that come as close are Triple H which we know ain't happening. Or the guy who played Arnie in his biopic. Bit of a longshot but possible. But Bean, McKidd, Pitt, Urban all to small. Alexander Skarsgard good choice but a better choice for Cap.
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300 has proven that the look can be attained with the right amount of training. The quickest way to make a joke of a movie is to hire a wrestler as a lead (except for roddy piper or the Rock....maybe)
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Marvel seems intent on giving their properties to directors with like no visual sense at all. Iron Man only worked 'cause of Robert Downey Jr. Visually, nothing stood out whatsoever, unlike what you'd get with a film by Bryan Singer, Sam Raimi, Tim Burton, Chris Nolan, or Ang Lee. This is a COMIC BOOK MOVIE y'all! Show some visual creativity, please! Same goes with Letterier's Hulk film. Passable at best. Now we got Branagh doing Thor. Great. The guy can the ham the hell out of Shakespeare, but can he make Asgard truly look like the home of the Norse gods? Can he give Odin and Thor the mythic presence required? Has Branagh ever even worked with a digital effect before? Does he know what one is? And Branagh will cast himself as Odin. Wait for it...
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I like Branagh, the guy's undeniably talented. And Thor's a badass Viking with a rich backstory and supporting cast. I don't think this will even be a case of the public not being familiar with the property. It's classic mythology, and Marvel is picking up momentum. If they have a good story well produced with capable performers AND it ties into an AVENGERS movie? Lotta happy moviegoers.
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I know for a fact that Brian Blessed can act at high altitudes.
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I can't believe no used that a subject line yet. Tim Roth would be a great Loki. Thor himself is gonna be tough for the house of ideas to cast.
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...only about 1 in 1000 people would know who the fuck Thor is. Is it going to be super hero Thor? Did you happen to realize it's Marvel making the movie? Tales of Asgard Thor is still Marvel Thor; regardless of costume.
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Denied Heroes and the first 3 minutes of Life and yet went blah blah blah for happy crappy HBO and Showtime shows. How about that. Does your crooked feel crazy? Oh. My. Dear and sweet fluffy lord. 15 years of work exposed as hackery in an hour! wow. That is so Austin city limits sad. Never google MacFaux
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Thor is grander material than Hamlet?<p>Yeeeaaahhhhh.<p>Or did you mean in terms of budget and scope?
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works to such an incredible degree that I can't help but love you again.
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Brian Blessed was in the show The Avengers.<p>tee hee
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But I wonder which character actor will Branaugh miscast as Thor in this one? Deniro as Frankensteins monster? Now Al Pacino as Thor. "Say hello to Mjinor, mutherfuckur!"
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Heh heh. Wish i knew how to umlaut that shit.
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My all time pick, God rest him, would have been the late great Oliver Reed, most of the younger generation know him from his last movie Gladiator, he played Proximo the owner/manager of the gladiators. Aside from his booming voice and stocky build, turbulent personality, he lived the Odin persona, Just listen to how he died: From Wikipedia – “Reed died of a sudden heart attack during a break from filming Gladiator in Valletta, Malta on 2 May 1999. He was 61 years old and was reported to be heavily intoxicated at the time of his death. Racking up an $866 alcohol bill, Reed had reportedly drunk three bottles of Captain Morgan's rum, eight bottles of beer and numerous doubles of Famous Grouse whisky. He also beat five much younger Royal Navy sailors at arm wrestling at a bar called "The Pub." (The owners have since added "Ollie's Last Pub" to the sign.)” I said it this morning, I miss that man.
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Veronus Lives! So does Yosarian. Yeah, this could be great. Or will it be like Too Human?
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Why haven't we been erecting statues of him yet? <p> I remember hearing that he challenged Russell Crowe to nightly drinking matches during the Gladiator shoot, and that Crowe could only keep up by bribing the barkeep to replace every other shot with water or soda.
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Would Will Smith wear the blonde wig?
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Gary Busey!
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or a hybrid of the two, like in that Son of Asgard mini? (example pic here: http://tinyurl.com/42scml
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ILM him!!!
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And anyone who doubts Branagh's ability to make an 'epic' should watch 'Shackleton'. It was fantastic. For me, Branagh's 'Henry V' remains one the best Shakespeare adaptations on film to date. The long tracking shot after the battle is breathtaking and most moving.
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