Thor Director Kenneth Branagh Thinking Ahead To Iron Man 2 & Other Marvel Movies

Thor Director Kenneth Branagh Thinking Ahead To Iron Man 2 & Other Marvel Movies

An look at how Branagh's Thor fits in with the rest of the Marvel Universe.

By THEHAWK - Mar 18, 2009 08:03 PM EST
Filed Under: Thor
Source: MTV

MTV recently released this exclusive.

Despite the relatively few official announcements Marvel’s made regarding its next “Avengers” tie-in, fans can’t throw a hammer these days without smacking some “Thor” movie gossip.

In fact, director Kenneth Branagh seems to be at the forefront of a “Thor” chatter charge lately. From Branagh lunching with potential “Thor” stars and a public Odinson casting call to rumors about some high-profile “Thor” cast members, Branagh seems to be working to prove to fans that he’s ready to help assemble some Avengers.


“[Branagh] understood that there was this very, very big tapestry of the Marvel movies,” Marvel Editor-in-Chief Joe Quesada told MTV News. “There’s continuity within the movies and he really wanted to play within that and wanted it to be part of the other movies.”

Quesada seemed to affirm Marvel Universe “architect” Brian Bendis’ confidence in “Thor” after a recent meeting of the three creators.

And those “other movies” Quesada referred to, which include last summers’ “Iron Man” and “The Incredible Hulk” as well as the upcoming big-screen “Iron Man 2” and “Captain America” projects, will require some attention in the film if Marvel hopes to pull off its intended “Avengers” franchise. But Quesada thinks Branagh is already on the right track.

“He was really, really loving the interconnectivity between all of these characters,” said Quesada, “and even thinking ahead as to how does ‘Thor’ interrelate with the ‘Iron Man’ movies. How will he interrelate with the Avengers movies, and how do we set these things up.”

This basically just reaffirms all that we have been told thus far. Kenneth Branagh, for those of you that don't know, is a Shakespearian actor and dierector, his works in Shakespeare include, Henry V (1989), Much Ado About Nothing (1993), Othello,(1995) my personal favorite, Hamlet (1996), Love's Labour's Lost and As You Like It (2006). His Iago in Othello has been said to be the best performance of the character. Branagh being the amazing director and actor that he is , has apparently taken steps to reassure that Thor will fit in to the larger Marvel Universe.


Branagh has also sad that he is a fan of Josh Hartnett's Iago in the adaption of Othelo entitled O. This film is what brought Hartnett to Branagh's attention as a possible candidate for the film.


I for one am very excited about seeing the Odinson finaly make it to the big screen.
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MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/19/2009, 9:57 AM
I also liked Hartnets take on Iago..although its really the only thing i liked him in..oh and he was decent in 30 days of night. I think there are way worse pics for Loki..but probably way better too! Anyway i trust Brannagh.
CrookedJaw
CrookedJaw - 3/19/2009, 10:08 AM
It's so refreshing to hear that a director "gets it" when it comes to comic movies, this should be a good one, definitely looking forward to it
Talontd
Talontd - 3/19/2009, 10:32 AM
I said it before and i'll say it again, Harnett was AWESOME in Lucky Number Slevin!

Marvel is doing all the right things lately (other than Scarlett) in my opinion. Keep it up!!!
wolverine81
wolverine81 - 3/19/2009, 10:37 AM
You know the only movies i like Josh Hartnett in were Lucky # Slevin and 30 Days of Night. I actually think Brannagh is on to something with him playing Loki.
CrookedJaw
CrookedJaw - 3/19/2009, 11:44 AM
yeah, he definitely has potential to do well, hopefully, if it turns out he is indeed Loki, he does a good ob
DarkAvengers
DarkAvengers - 3/19/2009, 11:48 AM
This will be the best of The Avengers tie in films. It will be epic. Similar to Gladiator. I have complete faith in KB.
LEEE777
LEEE777 - 3/19/2009, 12:43 PM
Cool Loki pic THE HAWK!!!! Thumbs!! I feel THOR will be EPIC but i pray lol, it wont have anything to do with the ULTIMATE lame THOR! Just the real deal one!!! This should be as EPIC as LOTR!!! Goes mordern day like the last third of the movie!!! ; )
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 3/19/2009, 12:45 PM
If they're gonna tie it in to the other Marvel movies, I hope that not too much of the film will be set in a Lord of the Rings type way, it really needs to be about Thors journey into the modern world leading up to him joining the Avengers. Should be good either way...heres hoping they use the new Thor costume.
Minotauro
Minotauro - 3/19/2009, 12:59 PM
I dont think Josh Hartnett is a good casting choice for loki!..He doesnt strike as a intising character as Loki.
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/19/2009, 1:48 PM
I will still stand by my belief that, despite his age, Branagh himself is perfect for the role of Loki. But after looking at Hartlett's resime, I think that he could pull it off. One thing I do not like is the fact that they are picking young actors for the roles, I think of thor and Loki having the builds and looks of late thirties/ earily forties. I can understand a younger actor for the roles I suppose.

Oh has anyone heard the rumor that Natelie Portman may be playng an Asgardian. My money is on Sif, the only other ones are Valkerie- has wrong build, Enchantress- Natalie is hot but not quite Enchantress, and last but not least I heard a rumor that she could portray a female Loki. Yeah like in the new comics were Loki is now the sister Thor never had.

HAWK out.
90caliber
90caliber - 3/19/2009, 1:59 PM
I dont think they should tie in any other movies to Thor. At least not the first one. Thor should be an origin story, set in Asgard. Instead Thor should have a cameo in Iron Man 2. I would also like to see a WW2 Capt. America movie with a Namor sighting.
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/19/2009, 5:26 PM
For the Avengers movie to work they need to go the Ultimate route with Thor. The other characters should never really be sure if hes a Thunder God or just a wacked out hippie with weather powers. Because if he shows up like hes straight of the longboat from Asgard its going to be like frickin Gandalf turning up on the set of Iron Man! It will just be too far out. So either Ultimate Thor or at the end of the Thor movie he is transformed as a punishment into Donald Blake and sent to Earth. I hate that idea but its better than a massive Shakespere quoting Viking flying around in the same movie as Sam Mother[frick]in Jackson
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/19/2009, 5:32 PM
Hey Ror, have faith in Branagh. If they say he's got this under control, then rest at ease. O, beware, my lord, of jealousy; It is the green-eyed monster which doth mock the meat it feeds on.

BRANAGH MUST PLAY LOKI
JoshWilding
JoshWilding - 3/19/2009, 5:55 PM
One thing though...Loki is now a woman in the comic books! Are they gonna follow that? That could be Natalie Portmans character (though Josh Hartnett would be a better male Loki)
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/19/2009, 5:59 PM
Yeah I've heard the Portman Loki rumor before. But they say she is up for the leading female role, so since it will be in Asgard, she will prob be Sif, she has the looks for it.

Branagh + Loki= EPIC!
FalconX2
FalconX2 - 3/19/2009, 6:31 PM
"...its better than a massive Shakespere quoting Viking flying around in the same movie as Sam Mother[frick]in Jackson"

Haha, are you sure about that? I would pay money to see it!

Thor (in heavy Nordic accent): To be or not to be!

SLJ: I'll b-line upside your head b!tch! Now get down there and BE a good SHIELD lacky!
mwmcintyre
mwmcintyre - 3/19/2009, 7:03 PM
I actually like Josh Hartnett, but Ror, I hope you're not saying 30 days was a good movie. Living in Alaska, I could barely stop laughing it was so ridiculous. I mean, I know they're not going to get all the details right, but please at least about 30 seconds worth of research would have been nice. "BRRR, it must be at least 10 below out here" - At ten below the residents of Barrow would be wearing shorts and t-shirts. And the pipeline- the northern end happens to be more than 100 miles southeast of Barrow. And the list goes on...
Talontd
Talontd - 3/19/2009, 8:03 PM
ROR-

That's definitely the route I hope they take too. I can't wait to hear RDJ crackin' jokes about him!

I really do think Harnett would do well with the role of Loki, then, they could pass it off to Portman who would probably do great as well.

MWMCINTYRE-

That's pretty funny, living in San Diego, I thought that was entirely plausible!
MarkCassidy
MarkCassidy - 3/19/2009, 8:03 PM
Well mwmcintyre as i wasnt aware of those mistakes, yes i though it was a decent movie. Not great but a nice gory, creepy horror story. Did you think it was bad regardless of those things you mention?

FalconX2 and Talondt, yes that would be entertaining! Maybe they should actually put a line like that in the movie. Thor could be drinking some mead and Sam comes up to him:

"HOWS IT TASTE MOTHER[frick]ER?"

"Tis the nector of the gods my dark skinned friend, but tell me, why doth thou shout so?"

"HAVNT YOU SEEN MAH MOVIES? A [frick]IN SHARK ATE ME!"

and so on lol
Talontd
Talontd - 3/19/2009, 8:04 PM
ROR-

LMAO!!!
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/19/2009, 8:57 PM
That is so #%$^& funny.
FalconX2
FalconX2 - 3/19/2009, 10:19 PM
"Tis the nector of the gods my dark skinned friend, but tell me, why doth thou shout so?"

"HAVNT YOU SEEN MAH MOVIES? A [frick]IN SHARK ATE ME!"


ROFL

Feakin' perfect.
GUNSMITH
GUNSMITH - 3/19/2009, 11:34 PM
MAKE IT EPIC, AND POUR ON THE SPECIAL EFFECTS.YOU THE MAN BRANAGH
dogchasingcars
dogchasingcars - 3/20/2009, 11:30 AM
THOR shall rock!!! i can't wait althought maybe i might get bashed but what about branagh himself as the god of thunder?
mwmcintyre
mwmcintyre - 3/20/2009, 11:47 AM
well, Ror, I admit the movie had a few decent or even good moments(the slaughter of vamps with the giant ice cutting tractor) and the acting and effects were pretty good, I can't call a movie good whose entire premise is so flawed. For instance, why would darkness cut off a community? Barrow does not shut down for lack of daylight. Flights keep going in and out, there are satellite phones, computers. People don't just leave for a month. Barrow is isolated, but it doesn't get more isolated in the winter. Actual cold temps for Barrow in the winter, 60-70 below. I guess the comic is really at fault if it was following that closely, but so many basic, basic things about life up here gotten so, so wrong. But then I guess I should be used to it by now. Sorry if I went a bit ranty there.
loganaspatch
loganaspatch - 3/20/2009, 12:14 PM
Ror-that was funny! that samuel adams/sam jackson character cracks me up

mwmcintyre - in the beginning they showed the vampires slacky destroying all the satelite phones and once they cut the power so went the computers... hell darkness could cut off any community, imagine new york with no power!, and i can assume the people in NY wouldnt be so level headed and calm about it. yeah you did get a bit ranty there lol but i do agree with the comment that -10 isnt all that cold to you guys, i live in ohio and whenever i talk to someone that lives in californa and they say its cold because is 50 degrees which is normaly our high temps in the fall and late winter, i want to launch a blizzard missle at them

but cmon tho, i know what -10 feels like and thats not short and tshirt weather lol
breakUbatman
breakUbatman - 3/20/2009, 12:41 PM
Jonathan Rhys Meyers for Loki he owned in the Tudors
rkeyes
rkeyes - 3/20/2009, 3:30 PM
This entire article was copy and pasted from MTV without quoting and without linking the source...
BillyBlack
BillyBlack - 3/20/2009, 4:10 PM
THE-HAWK

I'm with you on trusting Branagh, he knows what's up. But I can't see him in the Loki role, not if they go young with Thor. I actually think Hartnett can surprise some people if given the chance.

rorschach01

Totally on board with the ultimate Thor angle. But a Viking and Nick Mtha Fkn Fury bantering back and forth, with R.D. Jr. chiming in would be comedy gold! Actually, I've got an idea to satisfy everyone. At the end of the Thor movie he is transformed as a punishment into Donald Blake and sent to Earth. Donald Blake will be played by Kenneth Branagh.
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/20/2009, 4:54 PM
@rkeyes, I said at the top that this was from MTV, I did not take credit for it. I also don't have time to re-word every article. I work full time, I have four articles to write for money.

I'm getting ready for a wedding in a few weeks, so yeah I don't have time to redo everything I see, I barely have enough time to post this so other people can be informed on new news.
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/20/2009, 6:11 PM
@ Billy. I'm hoping that Thor and Loki will be young in this movie, but I Avengers they will be played by older actors so Branagh can be Loki
Simonsonrules
Simonsonrules - 3/21/2009, 5:56 PM
Not that anyone hasn't mentioned the following but here are some thoughts:

I agree with the poster that Branagh is to be trusted with this film. I wonder how the project was initially introduced to him...I doubt he grew up reading Lee / Kirby but when Marvel's 'Shakespearean' Thor was introduced to him he must have positively drooled. The material is perfect for him, and from the buzz it sounds like he will respect the text.

Also, Skarsgard is a great choice. Looks the part and has acting in his blood...his father is Stellan Skarsgard, a vet from way back. For those curious about Alexander check out his work in Generation Kill which, incidentally, was directed by the same folks who brought you HBO's superb 'The Wire,' one of the most critically acclaimed and underrated shows of the past decade. Alexander was chosen for that gig precisely because he can act, because he has screen presence, etc. He'll put on some muscle and turn in a great performance. And Branagh as Loki, despite the age disparity, is something I'd like to see.

The following is adding fuel to a fire which should be extinguished, but what the heck: Triple H as Thor will never happen with Branagh helming this thing. Don't get me wrong. I'm a fan of Triple H. A great entertainer. But can you imagine Branagh seriously considering him for the role? Come on. Branagh would sooner cast Denzel.

I've been reading the posts on this website for some time; my thanks to the gentleman who maintains it.
THEHAWK
THEHAWK - 3/21/2009, 7:36 PM
Well glad you like my article. I too wish to see Branagh as Loki. He is probably the most qualified actor in Hollywood as far as experience and skill. But if he likes Harnett we'll have to respect his choice, he has said that he likes Hartnett's performances so, what can you do. But "I believe in Kenneth Branagh"
DirkaDirka
DirkaDirka - 3/30/2009, 9:33 AM
im not quite sold on a female loki. though its entirely possible hartnett could pull it off, im just having trouble picturing him in a loki get-up. but id have to agree with everyone who trusts branagh, he seems like a reasonable guy who knows what hes doing, i'll judge him after i see the movie
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