Rene Russo Joins Thor Cast
Dec 17, 2009 by Kofi OutlawActress Rene Russo has joined the cast of Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Thor. Russo will apparently be playing the character of Frigga, wife of Odin, …
Actress Rene Russo has joined the cast of Kenneth Branagh’s adaptation of Thor. Russo will apparently be playing the character of Frigga, wife of Odin, the king of Asgard.
Variety reports that Russo’s role is that of ‘the mother of Thor and Loki, the pic’s primary villain…’ However, if you are a Marvel Comics aficionado and a long time student of Thor, you already know that there is a problem with that description. 
If you aren’t a Thor geek, then let me break it down for you: In the comic book continuity, Frigga is indeed Odin’s wife and queen of Asgard. HOWEVER, in the comic continuity she is Thor’s step mother, and a foster mother to Loki.
Now obviously the whole step mother/foster mother thing is kind of confusing, making the relationship between Thor, Loki and Odin – one of the cornerstones of Thor’s story – hard to sort out. It could very well be as Variety has described it, and for the sake of a more cohesive movie, the relationships between the characters have been simplified for the benefit of the audience.
I’m sure we’ll learn more as Thor moves into production next year. If you haven’t heard already, here is the angle the film is taking:
Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior reignites an ancient war between the gods of Asgard. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. Once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends dark forces of Asgard to invade Earth.
Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek) is playing Thor, Tom Hiddleston is playing Loki, Sir Anthony Hopkins is playing Odin and Natalie Portman will play Thor’s human love interest, Jane Foster. A bunch of really fine actors will also be filling out the Thor cast, and you can learn who they are and who they will be playing by going HERE.
What do you think – are you a Rene Russo fan? Happy to hear she’ll be joining the cast of Thor?
Thor is slated to hit theaters on May 20, 2011.
Source: Variety
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Cast is like Oceans Eleven.
@M-Cat…
Yeah, the casting for Thor does seem like Ocean’s Eleven, but you’ve got to admit, the casting news just gets even sweeter as we go along.
I’m definitely psyched for this one… but first things first… Iron Man 2!
@Stephie
when I said that about oceans eleven I meant it in a good way but you’re right – let’s talk about Iron Man 2 first.
yeah, I’m wondering how they are going to explain Thor’s family. Will they have Frigga as Thor’s mom or Step-mom. How would they explain it if they stayed true to the comicbook and have Jord/Gaia aka Mother Earth as Thor’s true mother? Hence his endearment to both Earth/Midgard’s and Asgard’s people.
After Iron Man 2, this is easily the comic book adaptation I am looking forward to the most, forgot X Men prequels and more Spiderman, Thor has one of the most amazing casts I have ever seen for a movie.
And I love that they chose a relative unknown for such a big role, it happens so rarely these days, I cannot wait to see Brannagh’s vision brought to life.
Well the cast keeps getting better and better,
no wonder they are have a hard time casting CAP all the good to decent actors are all taken by THOR
I am a huge fan of the Marvel movies and I am excited for the next couple of years with Iron Man 2, Thor, The Avengers, X-Men Origins: Magneto and the one I am waiting for the most, Captain America. Thor is a unique hero and the movie is shaping up to be a blockbuster.