We were right in expecting that as in the following weeks we reported on the President of Production at Marvel Studios, Kevin Feige, and director Kenneth Branagh both saying that they would be making announcements soon. They did do just that and over the next week, it was announced that Chris Hemsworth will play Thor and Tom Hiddleston would be Loki.
Chris Hemsworth as Thor? He wasn’t even one of the six candidates rumored earlier. Strangely enough, his brother Liam was… interesting. It was no coincidence that this announcement was made on the heels of the grand opening to Star Trek in which Chris played Kirk’s father in the epic opening sequence of the film.
Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston as Loki
Now, looking back on not getting the role, Alexander Skarsgård spoke with MTV and revealed how close he actually was to snagging the lead role:
“Yeah, I met with [Marvel Studios chief] Kevin [Feige] a few times and the director [Kenneth Branagh… There was definitely some truth in that, yeah.”
When the interviewer told Skarsgård that he looked perfect for the role, he replied “So did I” making it clear he’s disappointed in not getting the part – No one can blame him for that. Skarsgård also revealed that he, like Charlie Hunnam and likely the other candidates, screen-tested for Branagh sporting the full costume and the mighty hammer Mjolnir.
Alexander stated that he’ll be keeping an open mind and since it was reported that all of the lead candidates who tried for this role would be brought back to audition for other major Marvel roles coming up, he still has a chance at more. When asked about another role like Captain America, he responded:
“It depends on the circumstances… It’s pretty hard to say [whether I’d take another comic role]. It depends on the circumstances – who the director is, and what the character is. But of course [I’d be interested in looking into it]. I think it’s every little boy’s dream; it would be a person’s dream to play an action hero.”
So, there you have it folks. Alexander Skarsgård was very close to getting the part but there’s a chance we could still see him in another Marvel role.
I am fine with the casting of Chris Hemsworth and I have no doubt, he and the rest of the cast will do a fantastic job in their roles.
What do you think of the Thor casting process and the decisions that were made?
Thor opens May 20, 2011.
Source: MTV, Thor #7 art by Marko Djurdjevic
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25 Comments
HONESTLLY I TRUST IN BRANNAGH’S JUDGMENT AND HIS FEEL OF WHAT HE BELIEVES FANS WANT IN A THOR MOVIE..EVEN MARVEL LIKE BRANAGH, AND IF THEY LOVE HIS IDEAS MY 10 BUCKS AT THE DOOR ARE YOURS..
I think this is a good casting.
And I think Branagh was a very good choice to direct Thor.
By the way, I’d like to see Beta Ray Bill in future Thor’s films. Don’t you?
Chris Hemsworth probably has a stronger agent than Skarsgard. It’s too bad, I thought he would make a great Thor.
For Skarsgård to have come so close, and for Hemsworth to actually (beating Skarsgård in) scoring the role, I am sure Chris’ performance will be thunderous when Thor is released! oi Oi Oi!
I used to like Skarsgard for the role, but now that Hemsworth has taken it, I just can’t stop thinking he is going to be an awesome Thor. I mean, his performance in Star Trek was minimal but great nonethless, and I wen on to wonder if he could have played Kirk better than Chris Pine.
So, having said that, is there any possibility for Skarsgard to seek the role of Captain America? He could still do that.
Watch the beginning of Star Trek, when he’s walking next to the original captain of the Kelvin in that scene where he was going to board a shuttle, Hemsworth TOWERS over that guy, it’s crazy. Either that other guy is really short or Hemsworth is huge, or both, but I think he would look great as Thor. He definitely has the voice for it. I thought that while watching Star Trek, that the actor playing Kirk’s father has a really commanding voice. I think that might have won him the role over Skarsgard, because the person’s voice is very important in filling the role as well.
What about Skaarsgard as Fandral?
I could go for that.
im a little disapointed to be honest, Skarsgård would have made a perfect choice for thor and Hemsworth would have made a good captain america. i just cant see thor having a strong american accent. it will just seem to hollywood. and not really fitting to the story of thor. i might be wrong. lets just see what happens when it gets released.
I think Thor should sound like the Swedish CHef…mort mort mort..that would be bad@$$..Yippin Yiminee!!
i still think skarsgard would have been better. sometime i get upset because some movies make bad choices in casting actors that don’t have that feel of fitting in the role
While I still wish Skarsgård had landed the role, I can’t help but admit Hemsworth seems to be looking more and more like he fits the role. Especially in that picture; his hair looks like it’ll grow out to look just like Thor’s.
Still, would have been nice if Skarsgård had been Thor and perhaps Hemsworth would have been a good Baldur.
Nevertheless, I’m still cautiously optimistic about the movie.
Look at the photos again, observe the eyes of both candidates. Hemsworth’s have an innate flame, a bit of hot-headedness- and I daresay brazen arrogance. Hint, hint? And with a commanding tone.. About the accent, i guess that’s why they’re actors right? Di caprio did a good job with his South African accent in Blood Diamonds, Whitaker in Last King of Scotland etc. If they want it they’ll get it.
Im not a xenophobe or anything but I’d like to see someone from the states play Captain America. I think it would sit better. That being said I think Alaxander is awesome and would have made a great Thor.
i want to see the Test shots of them in Full Asgardian Armor.
hope those pics find some way on to the interWebs.
i have faith in the Director and with Marvel Studios Behind them, i see this turning out to be Marvel a Great film.
I agree with vladmax with the Cpt. America thing.
Next you’ll be saying he has to be a white actor with blond hair and blue eyes..
Just being cheeky…
Yep, I’m the world’s first Chinese Neo-Nazi, lol.
I guess he’ll do. I’m more interested to see what Branagh brings to the table with this…I’ve been a fan of him as an actor for years (he was great in Valkyrie!) and I know he’s a damn good director too.
I saw Hemsworth in Star Trek, and as a lifelong fan of Thor, I can say that I was impressed with his screen presence and I am very satisfied with Branagh’s choice. I mean, c’mon- it’s Kenneth “Henry V” Branagh! Could there be any doubt about his expertise in discerning intensity on screen?!? Now they just need to get Ensiferum, Amon Amarth or some other fantastic folk-metal band on the soundtrack and I will grab my Spangenhelm and head for the longship!!!
Where can we see Alexander in the full Thor get up????? MMMmmmm he is 6′4″ of prime Swedish meat.
this is soo bad. hemsworth will only bring macho hollywood clichee “thor”, while alex would bring nyancee and vulnerability in the strings of reflecting an epic war god. instead of being interesting it will become a clichee character, too bad cause i was looking forward to see alex in this role, it wouldve been really cool and more density to it. (plus he is scandinavian and know what thor is about)arfg. i think branagh is just playing safe, alex wouldve been a more interesting and poetic choice, he is not just a hunk, but the hunkiness wouldve portrayed thors more naive parts, and then alex wouldve brought forth the complexness of a war god with much more bite than hemsworth or a regular macho-in-a-box clichee actor. sigh. it wouldve been so interesting and entertaining.
in the real nordic mythology thor was quite a bimbo, but smart too, and alex wouldve been so great at that. and to have internal war god conflicts.
http://www.petermadsen.info/pages/vh/vh1/valhalla1-forside.html
actually im really angry about this. hemsworth look like a brick with no war god charisma, he cant bring anything to stage compared to alexander´s ability. the film will suck, the casting is terrible. i couldnt care less about that ladies think he is attractive, but he was just born for that role.. stupid ‘xxxx
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