Details On ‘Thor’ From Writer & Actor
May 31, 2009 by Rob KeyesIn the last month, we’ve seen some major movement on Marvel’s upcoming Thor movie. Major casting decisions were announced with Chris Hemsworth set to play …
In the last month, we’ve seen some major movement on Marvel’s upcoming Thor movie. Major casting decisions were announced with Chris Hemsworth set to play Thor and Tom Hiddleston to play Loki, and we’ve heard director Kenneth Branagh talk about the cast and nailing down the shooting schedule.
With the big announcements made, we’re starting to finally see some more general news on the movie including these two interviews that I’ll discuss in this article.
CineFOOLS had the opportunity to speak with one of the writers of Thor movie, Ashley Miller (the other being Zack Stentz) and they had a lengthy interesting discussion about the film and their goals in writing it. Miller is a huge fan of the Thor comics (a big plus for the readers of the books) and he actually owns the complete Simonson run of the series among others. You’ll see that those comics in particular are helping inspire aspects of the screenplay.
I’ve selected some of the more interesting and relevant questions and responses for you to see.
To start, CineFOOLS asked how the writers make a character based in another world not only realistic for the viewers, but fit with the other characters in Marvel Studios’ other films.
“Thor’s powers are godly, yes. And his zip code is a little different. But at the end of the day, he’s a man. In the comics, Odin sends him to Earth because he’s not perfect. He’s brash, arrogant. Even over-confident. We all know that guy — some of us have even been that guy. Stan Lee’s genius was to give Thor-as-hero an emotional throughline we could all relate to, and knock him down a couple of pegs. So on that level, your question answers itself. The challenge is to dramatize that and make the audience see what the fans have known and believed about the character all along.
As for realism, I have to ask you back: what does that mean? If the standard is, does he throw his back out if he hurls the hammer a little too hard… probably not. He’s a god. He’s incredibly strong. He can fly. He tosses lightning bolts. There’s nothing realistic about any of that. But he also bleeds. He struggles. Life kicks him where it hurts the most. Dramatically speaking, the powers and Asgard are gravy. The meat — and what makes it a Marvel movie — is the character.”
Next, they asked if any particular storylines from the comics acted as an inspiration for the film and you can probably guess the answer:
“So many things. Certainly, Walt Simonson’s take on the character greatly informs what we brought to the script although I wouldn’t say we went to a specific story from his tenure on the book. We saw part of our job as taking all the many approaches to the character over the years (including the myths) and distilling them down into a form that worked for a two-hour movie. There’s a tremendous amount of ground to cover, so inspiration has to come from everywhere.”
The next part is exciting. CineFOOLS asked Ashley how he wants Thor should be portrayed what he’d like to bring to the character in his writing. His response:
“Grit. Not in the sense that you’d want to see a generic “dark” take on Thor, but in the sense that you want to feel Thor’s rage when he rages. You want to see him fight like hell, and take as much he dishes out — maybe more. You want to have a visceral reaction to the guy, and what happens to him. You don’t want his adventures to be clean and antiseptic. You want to see the dirt, and grime and blood. You want to feel every bone crunching moment of every fight. And when he unleashes the storm, you want to feel like you’re seeing the power of a GOD at work.
The best example I can give you is the end of Ultimates 2. When Thor shows up and kicks ass, he shows up and kicks ass. He isn’t screwing around. There’s a certain brutal, cock-eyed realism to Thor in that moment (and through that book in general) that I really resonate to and want to expand on.”
And that’s exactly how it should be done in my mind – Just thinking about this movie is getting me excited for it.
Continue to Page 2 for more from writer Ashley Miller and actor Tom Hiddleston…
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I’m not crazy about Ultimate Thor. Sure, it’s kind of trendy cool to see a lost and seemingly crazy religious hippie claim he’s a god, but that’s not Stan Lee and Jack Kirby’s Thor. Completely different character.
@PHIL
What you just wrote scares me.
@INK…
I buy all of that stuff except the last part. LOL.
As for the article, I am getting more excited for this movie. I was never a huge Thor fan, but I did read some of his comic books and I have an appreciation for mythology. Should be interesting to see how they write this. I can’t wait to see Thor fighting Hulk on the big screen some day.
Thor is probably my favorite Marvel superhero. Sure, there are stronger heroes (Hulk, maybe Juggernaught, maybe Gladiator) but he will always be my favorite. I love what I’m hearing from the writers; I want to see Thor’s rage, I want to see the wrath of a god. I say, bring it on!
Now, about realism. This is a Marvel movie, folks, based on the Marvel universe. In the Marvel universe, there are gods, Titans, Eternals, heck even Eternity and Fste are personified. If you are looking for reality, I’d say stay away from a Marvel or DC comicbook movie.
I meant Fate, not Fste.
You have to have elements of realism even in a fantasy film or you won’t give a damn about the characters and what happens to them. Was Lord of the Rings “realistic?” Of course not – but they made it seem real in the way described in the interview – via the struggles the characters went through, their reactions to what was happening, they physics of the world they were in, etc.
Vic
@cat, it’s more believable with fewer explanations, trust me.
@TK I’m not sure if Mandarin will have “magic” rings. I remember an interview before where they said they are trying to find a way to make the “rings” something technological to explain why the character having them will make him powerful. So I was wondering if they would do the same with Thor, try to find a way to make his “powers” believable. I’m not saying it’s MANDATORY for it to be good, it’s just that I’ve never really been into any of the supernatural stuff, I am not a superman, spiderman, Thor, or really much of a comic book fan at all. The only ones I’ve considered liking are Batman, Iron Man, The Punisher, and anyone else who was actually human.
So I was HOPING they would keep the supernatural stuff from these new movies, but it sounds like these guys have a pretty clear image of what they want and that’s usually a good sign so I think even though I didn’t want the whole supernatural stuff in the beginning, I’m going to give this a chance because the production team sounds like they are trying to stay true to the fans and that’s always cool.
Latest rumour, Star Trek actor Clifton Collins Jr ‘in auditions’ for role in Thor. He played the Romulan sidekick. I think this actor mentioned it on his twitter that he’s trying out for the part. Going by his looks, he may very well be trying out for Hogun, one of the Warriors Three.
Ken
No one cares what u believe – that’s the point. The reason doesn’t matter. What a waste of energy. I’m done with this site. Thx for ruining the experience.
Cat,
If you don’t like what Ken has to say then don’t read his comments.
@Vic
Perhaps I should have put my post in burly wood
the universal font color for sarcasm.
Well .. any attempt at burly wood seems to be futile.
I shall now give in and give up.
Wow, I cant wait, I want it to be like 300 meets the Marvel Universe. This movie is quickly climbing to the top of my most anticipated list.
I wonder how they are gonna reference other Marvel stuff or movies tho, since hes basically in another World, wouldn’t he be pretty much unaware of the goings on there, or does Odin tell him whats up?
Awesome interviews Guys!! Love to hear respect for Walt simonson. His Thor run are some of the last (from at one time thousands) comics I have not sold or given away. Not a huge fan of Ultimates Thor though, have not read it for quite some time but he has no actual powers right?? His suit/ harness gave him powers I thought,.?
Love Kenneth and I look forward to this (Though James Callus should be playing Loki especially after seeing him as Merlin!) BUT!!! this whole thing is poo unless Brian Blessed plays Odin
@ Red Skull,
That’s not what they mean by realism bud. There’s a certain suspension of belief that’s acceptable for these movies. In the interview, Miller used the term “grit” which can help explain what they mean.
An easy comparison would be comparing The Dark Knight to Batman & Robin, neither is actually realistic but there vast differences in the style of realism between the films.
@Ken J
For the love of Pete… can you PLEASE stop being so confrontational? Seriously. You know I agree with a lot of your points of view, but you need to dial it down a notch.
Vic
Thor’s my favourite Marvel character; probably because I also have a keen interest in mythology.I have waited for a Thor movie for over a decade now. I’d even conceived scripts of my own -yeah, that crazy! I remember my elder brother saying then that Thor would never make it to the big screen because the character was not movie-worthy. He was right – for that time, at least. But now film companies are more confident about superhero movies and their viability.
Thor is a very rich character- I trust Brannagh and crew to do a good job. Ken J explained his desire for realism (or an ‘anti-supernatural’ theme) and his views are appreciated. However, this would be a total distortion of the comic book mythos and Norse mythology. Adherents to either/both need to be satisfied… least they can do.
Nevertheless, I believe the beauty of Marvel’s Thor is his lame(?)human alter-ego (Odin’s lesson in humility). This angle would clearly define it as not just another movie adaptation of a myth like Odysseus or Jason & the Argonauts. That’s the realism we need. If anyone can recall an old low-budget Lou Ferrigno Hulk movie were Thor made a guest appearance. It wasnt anything classic but the take on the Thor character- brash, arrogant,lover of wine and gallant to the fairer sex etc as opposed to a quieter,sobre, and withdrawn Donald Blake was impressive. I think they should tow that line for realism.
Having said that, I still want to see major ‘smash-bash action/destruction’ worthy of the thunder-god: the kind that was seen in Terminator 2, Matrix 2 and 3. The last Hulk, in my opinion, did not live up to its bidding in this respect (we know what a rampaging Hulk can do) so Thor needs to compensate. haha
@Phil
Notice he only referred to how Ultimate Thor came in at the end of Ultimates 2 and kicked some major butt. He didn’t say it would be based on the character himself. I understood it as the character would be based on the Simonson Thor. Either way, I’m really looking forward to this movie. It’s refreshing to see writers passionate about the source material.
Yeah Vic what’s going on here with the girlfights?? What’s the matter a bunch of you simmering after losing those high pressure circuit city jobs or what?
On another note – No one going to answer me as to the origin of Ultimate Thor’s powers??? As I said I gave up on the Ultimates a couple years ago and at the time Ult Thor only had powers thru his suit-harness which I thought was Friggen lame!!! (loved the Ultimates though!)
And again No Blessed, no Deal!!!!