Nikkie Finke reported yesterday about the upcoming Thor film and how Marvel and director Kenneth Branagh are facing a big challenge in trying to cast the lead character. In her report, she lists some of the candidates in the running to wield Mjolnir and become the God of Thunder.
Interestingly, she also points out that they are considering Josh Hartnett not only for the role of Loki, the God of Mischief, but to play The Mighty Thor himself. Now, I can see him giving an interesting performance as Loki but my suspension of belief doesn’t extend to him playing Thor.
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While there’s some desire by Marvel to see Hartnett or another recognizable actor to play Thor, there’s also a lot of interest in casting an unknown. Personally, I don’t know which would be best for this movie but I liked the idea of casting a relatively unknown actor like Alexander Skarsgård (who was rumored to be Branagh’s leading choice last week).
So, now we have a list of candidates (or shall I say…contestants) who are in the running to play our favorite Asgardian Avenger. Let’s see what they’re all about:
Josh Hartnett
Our first contestant enjoys reading, writing and long walks on the beach… Sorry, couldn’t resist.
Josh, our obviously most famous candidate, is 30 years old, 6′ 3″ and was born in San Francisco, California. Josh has starred as the lead in many feature films including Pearl Harbour, Lucky Number Slevin and Hollywood Homicide.
Josh was rumored last week to be sought after to play Loki in the Thor movie, it is now said he is being considered for Thor.
Liam Hemsworth
Liam is an Australian actor who doesn’t have a large acting resume as of yet. He is best known for roles on the two television programs, Neighbours and The Elephant Princess. Liam has upcoming appearances in next month’s Alex Proyas movie, Knowing as well as a rumored role in Sylvester Stallone’s The Expendables.
Tom Hiddleston
Tom is 6′ 1½” and nearly 28 years old. He hails from London, England and played a role in the Wallander miniseries which starred Kenneth Branagh as the lead character, police detective Kurt Wallander – Now we get the connection.
Charlie Hunnam
Charlie stands 6′ 1″ and turns 29 next month. Born in Newcastle, England, Mr. Hunnam and has had roles in some big movies such as Children of Men and Cold Mountain. Charlie made his mark in the business with his starring role alongside Katie Holmes in the 2002 thriller, Abandon.
Joel Kinnaman
There’s not much information on the web available for Joel but we do know that he is a Swedish actor, 29 years old who hasn’t yet starred in any North American films or television.
Alexander Skarsgård
Son of actor Stellan Skarsgård and both our tallest and oldest candidate, Alexander also hails from Sweden, is 32 years old and stands 6′ 4″. Alexander is growing rapidly in popularity for his role in HBO’s Generation Kill and his current role in HBO’s True Blood as a 1000+ year old vampire who sports the same hairstyle as Thor.
Alexander was also spotted in a meeting with Kenneth Branagh last week, which sparked rumors of him being the director’s first choice to play Thor.
That’s it for our contestants – My personal pick goes to Alexander Skarsgård whom I thought was a good pick when the rumors first surfaced last week. There was some feedback however, saying he was small or skinny which I believe is entirely untrue – just look at the following image of him as Eric Northman in True Blood.
Now imagine giving him another two years to workout for the role.
Out of the candidates, Alexander is the tallest, oldest and the largest. He also hails from a Nordic country and has the natural hair and look. I don’t think it gets better than that.
As for Josh Hartnett, I can in no way see him as Thor but I do like him as Loki.
What do you think of the candidates and who should Kenneth Branagh cast?
Thor opens in theaters June 17, 2011.
Source: Nikkie Finke
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181 Comments
@Adrian
I’m secretly determined to get Triple H in this movie, maybe as… Beta Ray Bill.
Check Alexander Skarsgard out in Generation Kill. It’s an HBO mini-series (out on DVD).It’s based on the book by the Rolling Stone journalist who accompanied a Marine Recon group during the invasion Iraq and was made by the same people who made The Wire (HBO).
Skarsgard got to meet Marine Sgt. Brad “Iceman” Colbert (whom he portrayed). And has received lots of kudos for the portrayal – and for totally eliminating his Swedish accent. The producers and directors said repeatedly how impressed they were with his dedication and talent.
And of course Sweetwater, Generation Kill is by the guys who made The Wire. So that alone proves this is a quality series!
SK47, I have no idea since I’ve never watched The Wire. I mention it because 1) it’s true and always mentioned in the reviews, and 2) it seems to mean a lot to other people.
Can’t tell if you’re being sarcastic, so … was it a quality series?
This guy is in the running too…he’s awesome.
http://www.imdb.com/name/nm0086703/
How about Valadmir Kulich as Odin heck why not Thor he’s has the look
sweetwater, quality series? Quality Series!?!
If many consider Watchmen (the comic book) to be the definitive example of what the medium can become (some say TDKR, Kingdom Come but lets use Watchmen as the example) then The Wire is the purest example of what TV can become. And that is works of art!
The Wire has been described as a visual novel, and it rightfully deserves that title because it is just that! Every critic around there has said that The Wire is the best series of television, some say ever. I tend to agree and would say that it is in a category of it’s own. I would say that it is the one series that you cannot classify as a Television program even though it is. It is something truly else.
The problem why you might not have heard about it or that it has not won any awards is because, well, the majority of the cast are Black actors. They are not the minority. So, unless you have a problem with that then I highly recommend you checking it out immediately!
SK47 – thank you so much for telling me!
I will make a point of seeing it as soon as possible. I’ve never before read a more compelling review than yours – I’m on it!
The Wire is over rated. It was an ok show that was ruined by the over hyping fans.
I will say this about it You will either love it or hate it. If You watch more than two seasons there is no in between.
Daniel F,
I think we need a post dedicated to you called “What Daniel F DOES like.”
The Wire is awesome. Owesome, even.
i still say that the wrestler HHH is the best guy that could pull off thor. muscles, size, and looks…
but we all know he wont do this kind of things, so i agree with Rob
Believe me lots of people don’t like The Wire. I think it has great writing however I think it is full of mediocre actors who phone in their performances. I also don’t agree with it’s over all message and it’s view of the world.
I’m going to ask about the Wire in the open forum, don’t want to hijack this thread. So you wire fans and people who don’t like the wire, go there and help me out, lol. I need your opinions.
Daniel F, its view of the world is a realistic view. The Wire’s setting is Baltimore, Maryland, BUT, it can happen at any other major US city! The message is that this is how things are, if we do not learn from it, then it just repeats unless we do something about it.
And about the actors, most of them this is their first time in front of a camera, this is “big break” so to speak and honestly, they do a great job. You know, Amy Ryan from The Office was in The Wire.
But Ken is right, this is about Thor, Skarsgard all the way!
Still no to Hartnett, even as Loki!
@ Thor Biskit,
I don’t think Richard Blake is in the running to play Thor – that’s not mentioned anywhere on the web and wasn’t reported in the list of people they’re looking at.
Even if he was, He’s only 6′ tall and 26 years old – No match for some of these other candidates.
I say Skarsgard all the way, he is a great actor. At 6′4″ he would make Thor look like a God on screen. Thanks for the info on the Wire I’m going to check that show out.
You know who would make a good Odin?
The Undertaker! Think about it.
He is old enough, 6″11, has the voice, can roll his eyes back, and is still in good physical shape!
Just cover his tatts and grey his hair, have a beard! All set!
Alexander Skarsgård is Thor. If you watch true blood he towers over everybody and plays a viking vampire!! What more do you want!!!
I pick Alex!
Sorry SK47, but it’s not a realistic view of the world. It’s in fact very inaccurate and is simply trying to drive false an inaccurate political views in to peoples brains. It’s not an original thing a lot of shows or movies try to do it. Sadly it has apparently worked on you.
Teddy Sears should seriously be considered for the role of Thor.
Robert, that’s an interesting suggestion. Never heard of him before. Looks a lot like Skarsgard, too, and is close in age.
At 6′3″ he’d be big enough. Hmmm? Good call. I’m still supporting Alexander Skarsgard because I like his acting so much and he’s more experienced than Sears. But it’s a good call otherwise – if he’s a decent actor.
OMG if you dont put James Preston Rogers as your number one pick I will go nuts. All of your choices suck hard! The ONLY unknown that can pull off the hugeness of Thor is James Preston Rogers. Sign the petition and http://www.petitiononline.com/Thor2009/petition.html
Your choices are small and weak… not Thor like. Don’t make me hate my favorite comic book hero!
Wow, that’s pretty sad…
Can’t imagine anyone would be willing to fund a multi-million dollar movie using a wrestler as the main actor. This is a very serious dollar investment and they’ve hired a very serious director.
The appeal of wrestlers (and the appeal of that kind of physical size) is limited. It looks much better in comics than in real life. IMO
Skarsgard for Asgard!
I like the last guy. Definitely had the Thor look. However, I was sort of hoping Triple H would be a major candidate for the role. He has the mass and height but he is 40 so age may have something to do with it. Or it could be because he’s a wrestler put I’m sure he could act better than John Cena.
Preston Rogers isn’t as huge as Triple H it’s not like he has this monstrous size that takes up the entire screen. He has the perfect amount of mass to pull off Thor. He look extremely strong and big while at the same time looking agile. I wonder if you have even seen a pic of the guy or just dismissed him because people who want someone who actually looks close to Thor suggested him.
@ Joe, I would hope Triple H could act better than John Cena…
Alexandar Skarsgard. He is a Swede and he is currently playing a Viking. Granted, the Viking is a 1,000 year old vampire yet he is making fantasy real for quite a few. He can be tough (Generation Kill) and he can be emotionally raw. Watch his movies on YouTube. Yep, he is a fine actor. He does look like Thor. He worked hard to rid hiself of his accent for Generation Kill. If he is willing to do that then with the muscles he already has, bulking up doesn’t seem like a problem.
i want alexander skarsgard. i love him as eric on true blood.
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