EXCLUSIVE: Kenneth Branagh Says Thor Casting In Final Stages, Addresses Decision Process
Published by
Rick Marshall on Tuesday, May 12, 2009 at 11:17 am.
While theres still some uncertainty about exactly when the
Kenneth Branagh-directed
Thor will be
hitting theaters, theres even less know about who will be wielding the mighty hammer Mjolnir on the big screen. Theres been no shortage of
casting rumors and
teases from
various actors and
Thor filmmakers, so when Branagh dropped by MTV to discuss his PBS miniseries
Wallander, we had to throw in a few questions about that
other little project on his plate.
Were down to the final stages of it, Branagh told MTV News of the Thor casting timeline. The reason one has to be properly diplomatic, is simply that some talented peopled have been patient, kind, creative and really committed to working with us in this process.
My reluctance to say anything about it is simply out of respect for people who have been extremely respectful of us, continued Branagh. That said, I think we are extremely close and I hope to announce a decision sooner rather than later.
As for what qualities would make the perfect Thor, Branagh maintained his diplomatic stance, explaining that the must-have traits of the films title character were a group decision a very
big groups decision, in fact.
Theres a massive fan base out there of devotees, enthusiasts and real experts who have all the answers to that, said Branagh. All I can say is that I bare all of that in mind with my Thor education. I read a couple of comics across the years every day, I read the Norse legends and sagas, and [the lead role] needs to have something from all thats great in the comics and the legends, and needs to live in our film universe.
Its a whole series of things that I could list, but Im not going to, because Id have to kill you, laughed Branagh.
Branagh offered a similarly appreciative, yet noncommittal response when asked if he was aware of some of the various online campaigns for the lead role including the much-publicized petition for actor
James Preston Rogers to play Marvels God of Thunder.
I am aware of certain campaigns, and I think everyone is grateful for them and knows that there is a great anticipation, said Branagh. We have every intention of doing everything humanly possible to live up to that anticipation.
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