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
I think the larger point is that not all, perhaps not most, women “drag” their partners to films they don’t want to see. I certainly don’t. I don’t even want to see a chick-flick with a man – they ruin the vibe with snide comments or physical restlessness.
Anyway, I want to protect any man I’m with from having to endure any more torture with modern life than is absolutely necessary. LOL
But I can agree on one thing, Ken – if Skarsgard is chosen as Thor, chicks WILL flock to see it, like they flocked to 300 to see Gerard Butler.
Don’t really need to have “company” to go see a movie.
Well, it seems to work out that way in the past. And from what I’ve seen and experienced with women, is that if you say you don’t want to go see something with them, they will get insulted and feel like you don’t want to spend time with them. But they will refuse to go with you to do something they don’t want to do in a heartbeat and if you get “insulted” by that they’ll get mad at you for it… lol
Sounds very unfair, Ken. I apologize on behalf of all stupid women out there.
Next time, check out a better class of women. Because what you describe is just BS, no man should get strong-armed into anything unless it’s (at least) fairly reciprocal.
Well Lauren,
I don’t mind when you say that you’d like to see Jared as Thor just because he’s hot…it’s the truth!
It’s your opinion and I will respect that.
But I really disagree when you say that both Jensen and Jared are equaly good as actors(But this matter would be better discussed elsewhere not here…Thor is being discussed here).
If we are limited to the actors above I’d prefer to have Alexander Skarsgård cast. Kevin Mckidd or Jim Carrey could be Loki. Odin could be…Gerard Butler…Mwahaha!:PPPP
Sweetwater, sometimes I don’t mind bending over backward a little bit as long as my girl is loving and loyal to me. It’s a small price to pay.
That’s sweet, Ken.
“We” appreciate that kind of generous spirit.
Skarsgard for Asgard!
i know i’m gonna sound just like another wrestling buff but aren’t most wrestlers athletic actors anyway?thor was by far the tallest of the avengers next to hulk you need someone who will put a shadow over the rest…so why dont they look another possible direction…way out on a limb here….kevin nash…movie makeup will take yrs off him…picture him with the winged helmet on…and he’s usually muscle in movies to but has shown some versatility..let audition…could be surprising…oh ya, and being built like a brick s**thouse helps…lol
But …. even on Ken’s official site – under his credits as actor – he has the same expression in every photo. Have you seen him act? Were you impressed? I haven’t seen his work.
Plus, I think the producers are concerned about Thor looking young to include a younger audience as well as having a youthful actor to maintain his looks and vigor through multiple movies (over time).
Not sure if movie make-up is enough to compensate for age in this day of high def. And I’ve yet to see a wrestler that can really act – though I haven’t seen Nash on film yet.
Acting is more important than size (IMHO) – though size matters with Thor. Skarsgard is over 6′4″ and could bulk up for the films.
Hey girls, potential bad news. I just read on another movie site that Skarsgard was recently asked if he would play Thor and his answer is “I don’t think so.” So there’s a chance he didn’t get it afterall.
DO you have a link to that site? You just ruined my day…
I think E (entertainment) network asked him about it. Skarsgard said he didn’t think he was chosen because he hadn’t “gotten the call yet”.
But no one else (as far as we know) has gotten the call either. Still could be him, I think.
Hey all,
Skarsgard is not to sure he’s still in the running:
http://screenrant.com/alexander-skarsgard-longer-running-thor-rob-6874/
Hunnam does nothing for me. If Branagh lets Alexander Skarsgard pass on by, he has lost his good sense. I thought that he would have made the bold move of screen testing Skarsgard even if he decided not to cast him for the role. What does it matter if Thor is a relatively unknown actor to the American audience. Skarsgard ‘is’ known in Europe and Scandinavia. And, is Branagh still British?
I want Alexander Skarsgard.
The notion that Skarsgard, who is 6′4 and definitely not skinny, can’t convincingly portray Thor is ridiculous. With a summer 2011 release date, he’d have at least 6 months to beef up for this part. Exhibit A: Gerard Butler in 300. Exhibit B: Hugh Jackman in Wolverine. Skarsgard’s clearly got the essentials. And, he can actually act, unlike many a knuckleheaded beef cake.
Arnold Schwarzenegger as Conan? I’ve actually met him and he’s not a big man. I’m 5′9 and could look him right in the eyes. Very unimpressive in person. It’s called movie magic, people.
Movie Magic definately comes into play. Somehow I feel there are many a leading man who has stood on a box to be as tall or taller than their leading lady (Tom Cruise)…or whose abs were abrushed magic….Actually do you think Ricardo Montalbán’s chest was that buff in The Wrath of Khan at his age…NO…and only at one part during the movie can you tell when he moves his arm that its latexed up. The kid from twilight is currently “buffing up” for part 2.
And for my “girlie” moments…if I am going to dream about Thor…its going to be Alex’s face that I see.
I mean heck, by no means was Toby McGuire ever a 1st hand idea for Peter Parker, but he managed it.
Tobey Maguire was perfect for Peter Parker, because he looks like a geek, which Parker is. Alexander Skarsgard would bring realism and acting ability to the role, but unless he was killed off True Blood, gaining 50-60 extra pounds of muscle will be a problem for him to do half a year of shooting and re-shooting, especially since he would be doing multiple Thor movies(if successful) down the line and an Avengers movie two years later.
Emery, if you mean Arnold now, he is no longer as big as he was as Conan. Young Schwarzenegger was huge by any standard. Like Lou Ferrigno still is. And Hugh Jackman, no matter how much he’s grown on me, was massively miscast as the under five foot, hairy, craggy Wolverine.
Triple H would be perfect for Thor. I think he can pull off the acting, a voice coach could help affect a Nordic accent, and I think most of the drama will be for whomever is playing Donald Blake.
This is 6 of the biggest disappointment in their casting. Listen Roberty Downey Jr. was an genius pick. Ed Norton is an incredible pick. Heck they even got prof. X and Wolverine right. Toby was the perfect peter parker. But I have to say that they have jacked some choices as well. Halle should have never been considered for Storm (although I can’t complain). Oh and who picked Liam Neison for Magneto? They should be shot. I’m not fund of the Don Cheadle trade out for Rhodie. But to pick one of these toothpicks to be Thor would be the exact same mistake that DC made with picking (said girlie) *Brandon Roth* as Superman.
Me personally I’m all for Triple H doing the job. Maybe Brock Lesnor.
Um… nobody picked Liam Neeson for Magneto since he didn’t play Magneto, Ian McKellen played Magneto…
And even if they did pick Liam Neeson, at least he could act, unlike your wrestler choices for Thor…
Yeah, thank you Ken J.
Willie …. we’re not back to the idea of a wrestler again, are we? Ugh. This needs an actor. The actor can bulk up. Nothing a wrestler can do about a lack of acting chops, training and experience.
geez…some guys think that being manly or being like a warrior god equals being a monkey wrestler like triple H!!!I agree with sweetwater.
Probably why Tyler Mane didnt come back as Sabertooth in the Wolverine movie…this time there were actually needed lines instead of dumb brawn as they played him before.
Willie Green,
Having Triple H or Brock Lesnor as Thor would mean box office failure.
Luckily, neither are being considered for the role.
Yeah, you can’t have a wrestler in an action movie. I mean, it’s not like any of Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson’s movies made any money.
Jon Hex,
“Thor” has to be done right…without egotistic monkeys…read the comics!
Oh no ….. we’re not talking about wrestlers in the lead role again, are we? If the Rock’s movies make money it’s because they’re kept within a certain production cost. As a woman, I know I never watch them, can’t get through 20 minutes of them. Only know one lady that has gone to the movies to see them – her husband dragged her.
Thor has to appeal to a broad range of people to be successful. Plus, now movies based on comics are starting to get some Oscar attention. I can’t imagine they’ll risk blowing the trend towards artistic respect by casting a wrestler.
Thor’s language, his way of speaking, would sound unintentionally hilarious out of the mouth of anyone who wasn’t a trained actor.
Most wrestlers look kinda weird anyway … not handsome, not sexy. Beyond a small core of female followers, generally, wrestlers are not objects of sexual desire among the average female population. You’re going to need the girls to make Thor a blockbuster.
However unlikely it may seem at the moment, I’m still hoping for Alexander Skarsgard. He’s tall with a gorgeous physique … just needs more mass. The internet is buzzing over him in his role as Eric Northman and Sgt. Colbert already. He’s a trained, experienced actor who is also a total chick magnet. Plus, he’s got the right pedigree!
Why are wrestlers egotistical monkeys? They’re just actors in a physical medium. That’s not how they really are. Most of them are friends, they just act like they hate each other.
A Norse god who talks like a Shakespearean character is already unintentionally hilarious. I do want the movie to be made well, to be intelligently done, but I would also like Thor to look like Thor. And we saw how Ang Lee’s Hulk turned out when it tried to be too dramatic.
I’m sorry but you guys want some theathor trained idiot to play thor and I appreciate the sentiment a little. But first I was typing in a hurry the other day. Sometimes (because I’m human) I don’t pay attention to the name I was typing Liam please forgive me. Ian I hope you do too. Okay now that I have aknowledge grammar class let’s get to the nitty gritty here.
1. You guys keep calling wrestlers egotistical monkeys. This makes me wonder if you have ever even touched comic book in the first place. Thor is an egotistical monkey. Anyone can say thee and thou. But at the core you need someone who is very use to being full of themselves. What is amazing to me is that all of you seem to be talking about what the wrestler is like (and by the way I hate wrestling) and not what the character is like. He is a Norse God. THEY ARE ALL EGOTISTICAL. He is a warrior. Those of us that are comic book babies (You know since this is a comic book movie) Aren’t looking for sexy. That you ended up with such a silly looking, model looking, pinhead for superman. (I’m aware I spelled it with a small s.) I for one love Dwayne Johns… “The Rock’s” movies. I think he really can act. They have made money because they are good. Every who knows Thor’s comic/cartoon/mythological history knows that he his a big blonde professional wrestler.
The truth I don’t care if he is or is not a wrestler. But comic books are visual. Therefore there movies must be too. Nobody cares who plays the part or where he learned to act. They care if he carries the part first. Second if he looks like the part. That being said there is no better place to find an actor that looks the part than professional wrestlers.
Correction:
Those of us that are comic book babies (You know since this is a comic book movie) Aren’t looking for sexy. That ish how you ended up with such a silly looking, model looking, pinhead for superman. (I’m aware I spelled it with a small s.)
Also big thanks to John Hex for seeing the hummus on this one.
Willie,
I think Dwayne Johnson can pull off acting too. I think he has done great coming out of the more “beefed” up roles. He showed a great sense of humor at the Nickelodeon Kids Awards show.
I will most likely go see Thor in the end no matter who they cast, because I am a comic book fan. But I still like Skarsgard, and I don’t know how much training he has had exactly. But I do know that he did have somewhat of an egotistical edge in a quite way as Sgt. Colbert. And he has had so much more work than just Meekus, Colbert and Eric the Northman, just not much of it seen here in the US.
All in all I am sure a good choice will be made.
Well…ok, some guys would like to see triple H…others another wrestler, which would make the movie look cheap, some girls would like to some handsome stud play the part… In truth, what I would like to see is someone who’s faithfull to the comics. It doesn’t need to be the tallest,the bulkiest and the blondest guy, but the one who’s better fit for the part. One good example is the casting of Wolverine…if the producers were only to find a cranky and short actor maybe we would never be able to see the true jewel of an actor that is Hugh Jackman!And he is Wolverine in the flesh!:P
*Note*
Although I like Dwayne Johnson very much, he can’t act very well…but he has a great charisma and a very noticeable sense of humor,plus he was a great wrestler!
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