To Be Thor Director, or Not to Be
Marvel.com, Evan Agostini/Getty Images
Flowing locks. Tights. Well, yeah, Thor kinda could pass for a Renaissance man…
If comic-book fans squinted real hard, today's news that actor-filmmaker Kenneth Branagh was in talks to direct Marvel's upcoming Thor movie looked not so bad. And pretty good even.
"I think it's kinda cool," said Rob M. Worley, editor of Comics2Film. "[But] he's not anybody I would have thought of."
Branagh, 47, is better known for interpreting William Shakespeare, on stage and in the movies (Henry V, Hamlet, etc.), than Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the two comics giants who made a Marvel star of the ancient Norse god in the 1960s.
"It's definitely a stretch for Branagh, and for Marvel—more in the vein of getting Ang Lee to direct Hulk," Heidi MacDonald, who writes about the comics world on the Publishers Weekly blog The Beat, said in an email.
In what might give Marvel a good fright, Worley also made the Lee analogy, as in: "This could be like Jon Favreau, or it could be Ang Lee in a total mismatch."
To recap, Favreau was the unlikely directorial choice who succeeded with this summer's Iron Man; Lee was the unlikely directorial choice who, um, didn't with 2003's Hulk.
So if Branagh becomes the unlikely choice to helm Thor—Marvel said it couldn't confirm the Variety report—then what? Is he the next Favreau? Or the next Lee?
Worley thinks the Thor script—a "more Lord of the Rings than Spider-Man" adventure by I Am Legend's Mark Protosevich—could be a good fit for Branagh's classical background.
"It's meant to be a big epic, and kind of Old World," Worley said.
MacDonald seemed to agree.
"Frankly, it seems kind of wacky," she said, "but if Thor is going to talk in 'thees' and 'thous,' who better than a Shakespearean vet to get it right?"
To be fair, Branagh is versed in verse other than iambic pentameter. As a movie star, he's done J.K. Rowling (in 2002's Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets) and blockbuster-ese (in 1998's Wild Wild West). As a filmmaker, he's made Robert De Niro go Boris Karloff (in 1994's Frankenstein, his last major Hollywood movie as director).
Thor is penciled in for a July 16, 2010, release. Under a new deal (or rather an extension of an old deal) announced today, Paramount Pictures will distribute the Marvel-made adventure along with four other planned films: The First Avenger: Captain America; The Avengers; and Iron Man 2—and 3.
Given the Branagh story, MacDonald has another project for Marvel to ponder.
"Maybe Emma Thompson will direct Spider-Woman," she said.
BIG PICTURE
Baby, You Can Drive My Car Based on Nic's record, it's never too early to give daughter Harlow some practice behind the wheel
More PhotosE! News Now
-
People's Choice Awards Wrap-Up
In the first awards show of the season, "The Dark Knight," Ellen DeGeneres and Brangelina all had big evenings. Get the recap!
-
Swayze Opens Up About Cancer
Patrick Swayze opens up to Barbara Walters about how he's coping with his illness to stay alive. See it.
-
Lohan's Revealing Interview
Lindsay Lohan dishes on her tarnished image and how she keeps words from Heath Ledger close to her heart.
-
A Star-Studded "HIMYM" Peek
We've got your first look at Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt and Kim Kardashian guest starring on "How I Met Your Mother."
Most Commented
- John Travolta's Son, Jett, Dead at 16 (766)
- Spoiler Chat: Guess Who May Have a Secret Son? (349)
- A Closer Look at What Ailed Jett Travolta (272)
- Sarah Palin "Over the Moon" About Grandson (174)
- Travolta Family Speaks Out: "We Are Heartbroken" (162)
- Grey's Anatomy: Can Mark Escape Lexie's Pull? (139)
- Brad Pitt Defends Jen & Angelina in the Same Article (136)
- What's a Scientology Funeral Like? (132)
- Robert Pattinson Has a Billion Reasons to Bail (129)
- Morning Piss: Lay Off Travoltas' Tragedy. Please. (114)
Top 10 Stories
- Christie Brinkley, Ex-Hubby in New Blowup
- Travoltas Prepare for Jett's Memorial
- Trump Enlists New Batch of Celebrity Apprentices
- A Shining Dark Knight for the People
- Taylor Lautner Sinks Teeth Into Twilight Sequel
- Mickey Rourke Wrestling With Iron Man 2
- Rob Pattinson and a Bevy of Beautiful Vampires
- Francis and Flynt Hustle Congress for Porn Bailout
- Lost's Naveen Andrews Gains Custody in Bewitching Court Fight
- Michael Jackson's New Lease on La-La Land
Hot Topics
Fashion Police
Sweet SuccessAnne glows in her sparkly LBD. The fact that she's picking up an award this night probably helps, too!
More Photos
More Pics from mystyle.com
Our Partners
Shop
-
The Girls Next Door Book Get full access to the action you don't see on TV!
-
Snoop Dogg's Father Hood "Boss Lady" Tee And check out other apparel from Snoop's new Rich 'N Infamous line
Get Your E! News Now
E! News Now
-
People's Choice Awards Wrap-Up
In the first awards show of the season, "The Dark Knight," Ellen DeGeneres and Brangelina all had big evenings. Get the recap!
-
Swayze Opens Up About Cancer
Patrick Swayze opens up to Barbara Walters about how he's coping with his illness to stay alive. See it.
-
Lohan's Revealing Interview
Lindsay Lohan dishes on her tarnished image and how she keeps words from Heath Ledger close to her heart.
-
A Star-Studded "HIMYM" Peek
We've got your first look at Heidi Montag, Spencer Pratt and Kim Kardashian guest starring on "How I Met Your Mother."
11 Comments
-
Show the next 1 - 0 of 11 comments
Now loading...