The next big Marvel movie in production is The Mighty Thor, here’s what we know so far…
Directed by Kenneth Branagh, yes, that Kenneth Branagh. Thor is shaping up to be smarter than the average summer blockbuster, and especially one from the pages of a funnybook. Based on a script by Ashley Miller , Zack Stentz , and Mark Protosevich this is not going to be mindless hammer-bashing, and looks to stay true to the comics, as well as appealing to the mass market.
Casting
- Thor – Chris Hemsworth
- Loki – Tom Hiddleston
- Jane Foster – Natalie Portman
- Sif – Jaimie Alexander
- and Colm Feore in an (as yet) unannounced role
Ladies and Gentlemen, your Thor Odinson
Recently, FLIMgeeks spoke with writer Ashley Edward Miller about Thor
From Andromeda to Asgard, a Conversation with Ash
Reznik: What can we expect from Kenneth Branagh trading Shakespeare for norse myth and Marvel setting up for the series of mega-blockbusters? I must admit that I was astounded to hear about the talent and people involved, and I was curious about the process of how all these great minds collaborate on a ‘funny-book’ movie.
Ash: Here’s what I can tell you about Ken. He’s a fucking genius, and I’ve believed that for twenty years. Henry V changed my life— no shit. Working with him is easily the highlight of my professional career. I mean, his last two collaborators were a Nobel Prize winner and the greatest writer who ever lived. So, no pressure. Right?
It’s funny how many people bring up the Shakespeare/comic book dichotomy, but I reject it. Shakespeare wrote people who were larger than life but every bit as human as the rest of us. Isn’t that what the best superhero comics are about? It’s definitely what Marvel comics are about. Ken’s great wisdom is in recognizing that and treating THOR the way he would treat anything else. I think people are going to be surprised at how emotional and human the story is. Stunned even. It turns on things I don’t think we’ve really seen before in a comic book film. I’m tremendously proud of it.
As for the mega-blockbusters… just you wait. It’s been a lot of fun being a part of that process, as a fan and as a writer.
Reznik: With each of these huge solo titles ultimately leading to the upcoming Avengers flick (once again working within the confines of a franchise), how does the new Thor fit into the new mythos of Marvel’s uber-franchise?
Ash: Thor absolutely occupies the Marvel universe, in every conceivable sense. Once you see the movie, you’ll get it. I can’t imagine the Avengers film without him.
Reznik: I have to check—does everyone involved “get” Thor? Can we expect the source material to be treated correctly with reverence, and yet still work as a summer blockbuster for the mouth-breathing general populous?
Ash: Every single person involved with the development of the movie “gets” Thor. That’s a big reason why the work has been such a pleasure… you never have to defend the property from the people who own it. You can even make frog jokes without getting blank stares in return. If you get the frog jokes, you get Thor. That’s all there is to it.
