Del Toro was approached to direct Thor

[FlawlessVictory]

Guillermo Del Toro Explains How Close He Came To Directing ‘Thor’ (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/06/11/guillermo-del-toro-explains-how-close-he-came-to-directing-thor/)

Published by Rick Marshall (http://splashpage.mtv.com/author/rickmarshall/) on Thursday, June 11, 2009 at 2:12 pm.

When “Hellboy (http://splashpage.mtv.com/tag/hellboy)” and “The Hobbit” director Guillermo Del Toro (http://splashpage.mtv.com/tag/guillermo-del-toro) dropped by Splash Page HQ recently to talk about his new novel, “The Strain,” we also managed to pick his brain about a few other topics near and dear to our comics-lovin’ hearts.

Earlier this week, we gave you what he had to say about the future of the “Hellboy” film franchise (http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/06/09/no-hellboy-comics-for-guillermo-del-toro-doubts-ron-perlman-would-return-for-different-director/) (and whether that universe will eventually merge with the Hellboy’s comics continuity), but one thing that definitely surprised us during the conversation was Del Toro’s confession that at one point, he came very close to bringing Marvel’s Thunder God, Thor (http://splashpage.mtv.com/tag/thor/), to the screen.

They approached me for ‘Thor,’” Del Toro told MTV News when asked whether Marvel had tried to tag him for any of their upcoming movies. “And for a long time we talked about that, because the mythology and the images were very attractive to me.”

“This was before ‘Hellboy II (http://splashpage.mtv.com/tag/hellboy-2),’” he said.

While director Kenneth Branagh (http://splashpage.mtv.com/tag/kenneth-branagh) eventually landed behind the camera for “Thor,” Del Toro had quite a bit to say about why he was so attracted to the character.

“I’m a fan of [Jack] Kirby and the power he has, and I’m a fan of the original mythology,” explained Del Toro. “So I thought we could go back to the original mythology a lot. I love Loki, I think he’s a great figure.”
http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/06/11/guillermo-del-toro-explains-how-close-he-came-to-directing-thor/

[Keyser Soze]

Guillermo Del Toro is a great director, and I'm sure he'd have done a fine job on Thor, but I'm happy with Branagh.

[Canis Sapiens]

Guillermo is a fantastic storyteller, but there's something underwhelming about his big studio movies. I tend to prefer his authoral works (Pan's Labyrinth, Cronos, The Devil's Backbone).

Something tells me Branagh is more suited for the God of Thunder.

[Keyser Soze]

I'm looking forward to The Hobbit, though. :)

[Agent 194]

Really! That's an interesting tidbit. That would have been real interesting. Heard him on NPR last year and was impressed with the person he is. Also have enjoyed his work. But I too am happy with Branagh...inspired hiring if you ask me.

[Spider-ManHero12]

He's a really good director, but I think Kenneth Branagh is defenitely the right person to direct it. Thor just doesn't suit Del Toro, if you ask me. :up:

[chiefchirpa]

Dr Strange?

[Ace of Knaves]

I love Del Toro's work. He has such a brilliant visual flair and interesting way of telling a story. I would of loved to see his Asgard.

But yea like everyone else, Branagh is a great choice too and I think it'll be great.

[louiebling$]

I'm Glad he's on Marvels Radar cuz I still think he's the Perfect director for Dr. Strange And Iron Fist :up:


He would have done Thor Justice and would have been pleased with him but KB is Just the perfect Choice for Thor :up:

[Ace of Knaves]

I'd love to see him take on Dr Strange or Iron Fist. Iron Fist in particular.

[Johnny Drama]

Del Toro's Thor would have been a grand fantasy on an epic scale...

[Ace of Knaves]

Definitely. That's why I'd want him for Iron Fist. The whole 7 cities and all that. His visual style would be amazing for that.

[spider-neil]

I'm happy the way things turned out, we get to see hobbit AND thor within two years of each other, not possible if del toro had taken on thor.

[Johnny Drama]

Definitely. That's why I'd want him for Iron Fist. The whole 7 cities and all that. His visual style would be amazing for that.

Damn, I could see that working really well. As I said over in the Bat-Boards, I was hoping he would take over Batman after Nolan left. Can you imagine his take on the likes of Black Mask, Killer Crock or Man-Bat? Nolan was all about realism, then Del Toro could come in, keep Nolan's continuity in motion but immerse it in the fantasy world reminiscent of the Tim Burton Batman movies and just flip it on it's ass.

[Ace of Knaves]

Yea that's exactly how I'd want it.

Keep the same continuity, but go for a more stylized look. You seen that Arkham Asylum fan movie on youtube? Maybe not as gothic as that but I'd imagine Del Toro's take would be pretty similar.

[Lobo]

Dr Strange?

Del Toro supposedly has Deadman on the horizon. I really hope that happens.

[Philly Phanboy]

Yeah his take on Deadman should be pretty cool. Not sure if Thor would be a good fit for Del Toro though.

[Vartha]

I would have loved Del Toro to have been on Thor.

[Lobo]

I'd have loved it, and he is actually my top choice for :ww: he seemed an unrealistic choice, though. However listening to him talk about the mythollogy, WW is probably something he could get really into.

[Chewy]

I'd say del Toro should do Doctor Strange (he is literally perfect for it) but he's booked solid for the next decade or so

[louiebling$]

I'd say del Toro should do Doctor Strange (he is literally perfect for it) but he's booked solid for the next decade or so

And Hopefully when that decade is up we can get a Dragonball Reboot from him :up:

[Hyperstorm]

Del Toro actually had a little homage to Thor in Hellboy. The comic in Hellboy's room that the new agent looks at is a recreation of Thor #142 with Hellboy and the ape replacing Thor and the Super-Skrull.

[Jake Cassidy]

Del Toro could so many comic movies. Personally, I'd want him on Dr. Strange, as long as he can get Depp to play him. :woot:

[topdog1]

Dr Strange?

There ya go. Guillermo Del Toro is perfect for Dr. Strange. Personally, I find his style to be too bizarre for a property like Thor.

[Agent 194]

I don't really see how Iron Fist will work with any director. Iron Fist to me always seemed to be Marvel's wishful reaction to Chuck Norris..especially when John Byrne was doing him...and Chuck's too old to do it now. I never saw Ray Park in the role either

[Lobo]

Why are you talking about Iron Fist in a Thor movie thread about Del Toro? Cam Gigandet should be Iron Fist, though.

[Sawyer]

Del Toro on Thor doesnt sound to shabby, but I want him on Doctor Strange so much that it actually hurts.

[Lobo]

I'm glad he has Deadman lined up on his decades long list of projects :)

[chiefchirpa]

Rather have Iron Fist or Dr Strange (living, kicking Marvel property) than Deadman (obscure DC Comics character completely overshadowed by the Big 5. Watchmen anyone?)

[Spider-Vader]

I'd love to see him take on Dr Strange or Iron Fist. Iron Fist in particular.

I'd kill to see him do one of those. Hell, I'd kill to have both of those on the big screen, especially Iron Fist.

[bubbadoom]

GdT's THOR would have been great! At least he has the respect for the Kirby material that these movies need.
He was approached by Avi for the first FF movie, too [but thought HB was too much like Ben]. Boy how I wish he had taken that one!

[Triad]

Would have been sweet. Del Toro is one of my favorite directors. (As a matter of fact, I'm currently reading "The Strain"!) I'm happy that Branagh got the gig though. I have to agree that I think that Del Toro would be a much better fit for a Dr. Strange movie. Really hyped about The Hobbit...It's gonna RAWK!

[Raiden]

I'm glad to see Marvel still keeping a tab on Del Toro, even though his Blade II wasn't received that well. I'm sure he'd have done a pretty good job with Thor, at least visually like he did with Pan's Labrinth, but I'm happy with Branagn as the director. Hopefully, with so many projects Marvel is lining up in the future, he'll be approached to do a movie again for Marvel.

[Kurosawa]

So...we could have had a great director (Del Toro), but instead we got a different great director (Branagh)? Either way....win/win.

[chamber-music]

Del Toro is great but like others have said I think he would be a better fit for a Doctor Stange movie. I'm happy with Branagh. I'm glad Marvel is approaching these dircetors who really are intrested in the charcaters though.

[TheCorpulent1]

So...we could have had a great director (Del Toro), but instead we got a different great director (Branagh)? Either way....win/win.
My sentiments exactly. I'm sure Del Toro would've made a great movie--probably a little more mind-bending than Branagh's--but I think Branagh will do a great job as well. Branagh seems better suited to convey the scope of Thor and Asgard to me, too. Del Toro really excels at more low-key supernatural stuff.

[AVEITWITHJAMON]

Love GDT, but to be honest, I hope that he does Hellboy 3 before he does any Marvel movies, he has to round the trilogy of the red ape!