Kenneth Branagh Shares Why He Is Not Directing Thor 2

Kenneth Branagh Shares Why He Is Not Directing Thor 2

Kenneth Branagh sat down recently to talk about why he left the sequel to his Summer box office smash Thor, as well as gives his thoughts on Patty Jenkins taking over.

News
By WaylonJones - Nov 14, 2011 09:11 AM EST
Filed Under: Thor
Source: Moviefone


Thor hit theaters this Summer and blew people away. Everyone was excited to see where director Kenneth Branagh would take the sequel that is due to come out in November of 2013. Then Marvel broke the news that Branagh unfortunately would not be returning for Thor's next adventure and that director Patty Jenkins had taken over for him. MovieFon caught up with Branagh to ask why he left the project and the answer is quite simple, timing.

"It was simply timing. I loved doing the movie, I'd love to do another movie for Marvel, and it was just timing. The requirement for me was just to get back in the saddle so swiftly that it wasn't really feasible, but it was a decision [Marvel] understood."


He also shared his thoughts about Jenkins taking over for him, expressed excitement over the choice adding he cant wait to see how the second film develops.

"I, along with a lot of other people, are very excited about the appointment of Patty Jenkins. I think that's a great choice to direct the movie. I know that Kevin Feige and all the people I worked very closely with, who were absolutely parts of the creation of that movie, are keen to produce a great second picture. So it was the right decision for me and for them and I am really looking forward to see how the second one develops."


Thor 2 is scheduled to hit theaters on November 15, 2013!

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kurekurcubic
kurekurcubic - 11/14/2011, 10:09 AM
so basically,hes a pussy??
RidiculousFanBoyDemands
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 11/14/2011, 10:28 AM
There were rumblings during production that marvel wasn't giving him the freedom he wanted. Apparently they were a little to hands on for his liking. Which I can understand to some degree. This along with cap was a make or break movie for the Avengers, if they bombed than you could forget about seeing a team up movie. They probably went a little overboard protecting their franchise, and Branagh probably doesn't want to deal with that again.
RidiculousFanBoyDemands
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 11/14/2011, 10:30 AM
Plus if I remember correctly there was a lot of discourse on the set, between him, Hopkins and some of the other actors.
write33
write33 - 11/14/2011, 10:31 AM
he's a class act who did many things right with the first film, ESPECIALLY his casting decisions.

Thor wasn't perfect, or up to say, the first "Iron Man," but I enjoyed it and still say he was a logical but daring choice to direct it. Good stuff.
kurekurcubic
kurekurcubic - 11/14/2011, 10:32 AM
wow,so the guy says exactly why and you -RidiculousFanBoyDemands jump out with crazy lunatic theories???
JusticeForAll
JusticeForAll - 11/14/2011, 10:38 AM
@RidiculousFanBoyDemands: Where are you getting your information? I don't remember reading anything like that anywhere.
PartyHard
PartyHard - 11/14/2011, 10:42 AM
There was never any problems between him and Hopkins, or anyone else. There's no reason to believe that what he's saying isn't the truth.
OptimusBurgundyMaximus
OptimusBurgundyMaximus - 11/14/2011, 10:44 AM
[frick] you marvel
SugarYumYum
SugarYumYum - 11/14/2011, 10:50 AM
If creative differences were the reason he would have said so. It's out of his hands now, so he has no reason to bullshit.

Didn't like Thor as much I thought I would so looking forward to seeing what Jenkins does with the sequel.
AlexdoxA
AlexdoxA - 11/14/2011, 10:51 AM
Wow @Ridiculousfanboydemands, DC should've hired you to write Green Lantern's script... It would've been an epic thriller filled with deception and plot twists!
dahamma
dahamma - 11/14/2011, 10:55 AM
Ridiculousfanboydemands, wow what a load of crap lol

Kenny B. did great with the first Thor. But I understand why he didn't want to do Thor II. Big Hollywood movies like these demand ALOT of time to make. And for him to just jump on board for Thor II would delve him right back into a very busy work schedule. I mean the man DOES have a life People.
dahamma
dahamma - 11/14/2011, 10:56 AM
the guy said it was timing, where are you people getting these creative conflicts from?
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 11/14/2011, 11:10 AM
Its a shame he's not doing the sequel, real shame... THOR was the best CBM this year and CAP a close second!

Still the origin an everything's sorted out, be hard to [frick] up :p
Jordanstine
Jordanstine - 11/14/2011, 11:12 AM
More from the same article:

How was directing Anthony Hopkins in full God-like mode?

Kenneth Branagh: He told lots of great war stories about his time as a young actor, basically, because his first film performance was ‘Lion in Winter,’ when he was about 30 and he was on-screen with Katharine Hepburn and Peter O’Toole and Timothy Dalton and he was just talking about his first time in films. He loved seeing the Chris and Tom at the beginning and these great careers that they’re about to have. That was exciting.

What is it like working with Kenneth?

Anthony Hopkins: When you work with people like Ken, there’s no work involved. The impressive thing with Ken is that he’s the governor, he’s the captain of the ship, that’s the best way I can put it, I sometimes call him governor because you watch him walking around the set and he’s so authoritative, but not in a pompous, big-headed way. He’s got a great sense of humour, great sense of passion, great human drive, he has a great philosophical insight into life. He inspires people, he certainly inspired me. He gave me back my (long pause), confidence, made me feel I had my chops still, made me feel I can still do it. I was beginning to feel a little jaded over the last few years, thinking I should just put my feet up and relax. He pushes you to the nth degree and I think that’s what he does with everyone. He never does it with malice, it’s always getting the best out of people, it’s fascinating watching him work. I think that’s the overall impression of this whole experience, it was fascinating.

Again, BS @RidiculousFanBoyDemands.
Kayo
Kayo - 11/14/2011, 11:18 AM
stupid DC fanboys...........
RidiculousFanBoyDemands
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 11/14/2011, 11:30 AM
Wow, calm down fellow nerds. It is just what I remember reading back during filming. There were reports of some arguments on set, which isn't that big of a deal.

Also, Branagh isn't going to slam Marvel in the press. It's bad for his reputation, especially if he wants to direct a big budget movie again. Simmer down guys, I didn't slam the movie. All I said is I understand if Marvel was a little too hands on. They were protecting their franchise, and probably was a little too hands on because they wanted the movie to succeed. I enjoyed Thor, it was a lot better than Cap.
RidiculousFanBoyDemands
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 11/14/2011, 11:34 AM
http://screenrant.com/thor-rumors-anthony-hopkins-pauly-51675/


This was the story that was reported through various media outlets. Granted they came out and said it was a lie, but I remember reading about arguments over the script as well. It's not a big deal, but I don't remember reading stuff like this during Cap filming, or even Iron Man 2 (despite what was reported after the release).

So once again, calm down guys. I want every comic book movie to do well. The better they do, the more we see. It's a win, win for everyone.
RidiculousFanBoyDemands
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 11/14/2011, 11:36 AM
I remember reading it the LA Times though awhile back though.
Orphix
Orphix - 11/14/2011, 11:37 AM
Have you seen how busy this guy is?

He is currently doing a really long run with a play in Belfast that will no doubt travel the UK...and then maybe further on.

He is also starring, promoting and producing several films and plays.

He is also in a regular TV series.

Seeing as doing a big budget feature film takes about two years out of your life it isn't a surprise he doesn't want to do it again straight away.

He is just a busy guy who is more than just a film director.
RidiculousFanBoyDemands
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 11/14/2011, 11:40 AM
Also, here's what I don't understand about some fans. Aronoksy leaves X-Men because of family issues, and everyone says it was because Fox was micromanaging. Nobody took him at his word.

Branagh, leaves Thor because of bad timing, and everyone believes him. It has been stated even on this website through various articles that Marvel is a little too hands on. Again, I don't blame them because they are trying to establish something, and they don't want a director straying to far from their vision.

What I said was just speculation, I never said take it as fact.
Growler
Growler - 11/14/2011, 11:43 AM
Well, Brannagh is a writer, actor and theatrical director. Add this to his film work, and he is a very busy man.
I'm just happy he didn't balls-up Thor!
Jordanstine
Jordanstine - 11/14/2011, 11:50 AM
@RidiculousFanBoyDemands

Your Screenrant link actually sources the news from the New York Daily News aka Tabloid Journalism.

Don't know about their entertainment section, but their sports columns alone, among other things, are heavily criticized by it's speculative rumor news (Peter Vecsey anyone).
RidiculousFanBoyDemands
RidiculousFanBoyDemands - 11/14/2011, 11:55 AM
@Joranstine

I agree it is not a credible source. I agree that the New York Daily News is the tabloid of NYC. However, they do come up with some great back page headlines in regards to sports. It's probably all BS. However, now this is just what I believe remember. I will always think there is a little more to him leaving than he lets on. It might not be cast issues, or script issues. Maybe he just doesn't want to do another comicbook movie. Who knows.
NoAssemblyReqd
NoAssemblyReqd - 11/14/2011, 11:56 AM
I don't totally buy his reasons, BUT if there if there was any bad blood between him and Marvel, it was no big deal, or it has subsided to the degree that he's not unwilling to do another movie for the studio. Glad he's not a bridge-burner like Rourke.
bbarber2323
bbarber2323 - 11/14/2011, 12:00 PM
@RidiculousFanBoyDemands....since you are so into "remembering", why don't you remember your favorite hiding spot and put your keyboard there. Moron.
Jordanstine
Jordanstine - 11/14/2011, 12:00 PM
@RidiculousFanBoyDemands

Fair enough.
Orphix
Orphix - 11/14/2011, 12:01 PM
Saw this on youtube today. I thought it was a pretty crazy job. Fun though - worth checking out :o)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SsTiFK0DmP8
JULEZ13
JULEZ13 - 11/14/2011, 12:12 PM
I didn't enjoy Thor that well anyway. My main issue with the film was actually the directing. I hated it. Throughout the movie I was just like what? How did that get to that point? Or, "Why would he choose that terrible angle?" The script was also a bit weak. He did a good job with the casting though. That I had no problems with.

I'm actually glad to see him go. After I saw his Frankenstein movie over the summer, it all made sense. God, what an atrocious film that was!

Hopefully the new director will do a good job with it.
SCURVYDOG619
SCURVYDOG619 - 11/14/2011, 12:12 PM
At least Branagh is open to coming back to do another Marvel movie. Now the question should be which one? Could he do a Namor movie? If anything,the trials and tribulations of the Avenging Son-as well as the court machinations of Atlantis-would seem to appeal to his sensibilities much like Thor did...
IgnurRant
IgnurRant - 11/14/2011, 12:24 PM
Marvel is so hands on it worries me how The Avengers will turn out.

I thought Thor was an ok move that could have been as good or even better than TDK. Although it did have a great Loki in it.

Its a damn shame Marvel is so hands on and picks Directors with "no balls." Makes me wonder if Marvel Phase 2 will turn to complete shit.
bbarber2323
bbarber2323 - 11/14/2011, 12:25 PM
@Evilo32...was I talking to you? And no, not a Marvel twat. I'm a fan of DC as well. And no, it's far from talking about my mother. I find it funny how you single me out when there were others talking more shit to this "fanboy" clown. Is that your boyfriend, besty, brother, or something else more sacred to you? If he's a stranger, then mind your own or be consistant and talk your shit to everyone else that this guy annoys. I'm not the only one.
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