Production Weekly recently stated that Marvel Studios production on Thor will begin shooting January 2010. The film, written by Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend, The Cell) and directed by Kenneth Branagh, sees the god of thunder Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions re-ignite an ancient war. 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, most recently seen as James T. Kirk’s father in this year’s Star Trek and alongside Milla Jovovich and Steve Zahn in Perfect Getaway, has been cast as the titular Thor. The cast also includes Anthony Hopkins as Thor’s father Odin, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster (who in the comics is nurse to Thor’s human alter-ego Donald Blake), Tom Hiddleston as the villanous Loki, Jaimie Alexander as the Asgardian warrior Sif, and Colm Feore and Stellan Skarsgard in unspecified roles.

I’m actually pretty excited about this. The weight and gravity Branagh’s association brings to this project shows that this is something serious for Marvel. After a few mistakes, they seem to be taking their time to craft their films individually, as well as on a broader spectrum to sit comfortably in a consistent universe. I still feel Branagh is the perfect choice for a film about Gods., but I don’t know they’re gonna fit Iron Man into this mythology for The Avengers. Too bad Vincent D’onofrio is busy with Law & Order.

-Brian

Source: http://www.slashfilm.com/2009/11/13/marvel-studios-starts-shooting-thor-in-january/