Paramount Pictures and Marvel have released today an updated plot synopsis for Thor. The official release is as follows…

Paramount Pictures and Marvel Entertainment present the epic adventure, ‘Thor‘, which spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war.

Thor is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and is forced to live among humans. A beautiful, young scientist, Jane Foster (Natalie Portman), has a profound effect on Thor, as she ultimately becomes his first love.

It’s while here on Earth that Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Due for a May 2011 release, Thor promises a story full of action. With a cast that, along with those mentioned above, includes Rene Russo, Idris Elba and Stellan Skarsgard, as well as being directed by theater stalwart Kenneth Branagh, the final result should be immense.

What are your reactions to the plot of Thor?

Samuel L. Jackson, who had an after-the-credits cameo in Iron Man as Nick Fury, Agent of S.H.I.E.L.D, and has a presumably larger part in the upcoming sequel, was recently listed as being part of the cast for Kenneth Branagh’s Thor film. Due to the impending Avengers film which will cross-over several of these characters, the films will have to be threaded together to establish the world and to set up the movie. Robert Downey Jr. reprised his Tony Stark role in The Incredible Hulk while Iron Man was likely still playing at the same theater showing the former film. And with Jackson being listed in the cast for Thor, one would presume he will be the factor tying it into the newly established Marvel movie-verse. The only thing is, he claims to know nothing about it. Read the full story

Kenneth Branagh’s Thor starts production tomorrow and there is already one small hiccup in the process. Irish actor Stuart Townsend (pictured left) was set to play the supporting character of Fandral, part of Thor’s pack. AP reports that he has been replaced by upcomer Joshua Dallas (pictured right) due to “creative differences.” Check out the AP excerpt below. Read the full story

With January fast approaching, any news regarding Kenneth Branagh’s Thor gets more and more exciting, all adding to the possibility of this long-gestating comic book adaptation actually getting underway. So far the film’s casting news has been rather spectacular, from Anthony Hopkins to Natalie Portman, and this news follows suit: Idris Elba (The Wire, RockNRolla)will play “Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard, who stands on the BiFrost Bridge ready to defend the city from intruders” [Film School Rejects].

Elba is an accomplished actor, offering a wide range of thespian abilities, from drama to comedy to action – the guy had a role in The Office even. The biggest concern this news bring to the surface is: can a young, pretty boy actor like Chris Hemsworth (who plays the titular character) take on someone as genuinely intimidating as Elba and not look silly doing it- but then, all these people are non-human pseudo-Gods already so the suspension of disbelief is already there.

The release date for the film is set for May 20, 2011.

What do you think of Elba as anti-Thor warrior in the film?

Production Weekly has confirmed that Kenneth Branagh’s Thor will start filming in “Los Angeles mid-January, then move to Santa Fe, New Mexico from March till late-April.” You may be asking, what does this news mean to us? Well, we could very well start to see a bit of the production design, character costumes, or other things from the set. /Film highlights the cast below. Read the full story

Nukethefridge.com reported today that an “inside source” leaked information about a new cast to the new Thor movie directed by Kenneth Branagh (Henry V). The new cast member is reportedly Jessica Biel (Easy Virtue, Next). If cast, she might be playing Thor’s love interest Jane Foster. No other news has been released on the film. Thor is set for a May 20, 2011 release.

I’m not too happy about this news. I have never seen a Jessica Biel film I really enjoyed. If anything, she is a comic actor and I don’t think she has what it takes for a superhero film. I am looking forward to a live action Thor film but if this rumor is true then I will have a lot of doubts.

What do you think of this latest Thor update?

Hollywood bloggess Nikki Finke is reporting that Marvel and director Kenneth Branagh have settled on their Thor. As expected, the role has gone to a relative unknown: 25-year old Australian Chris Hemsworth. He will play opposite Natalie Portman, who was previously reported to be cast as the female lead in the film.

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Marvel’s President of Production Kevin Feige recently spoke to Empire magazine and gave a few updates Marvels upcoming projects including The Avengers and Thor.

On The Avengers: “Zak Penn is already on board The Avengers [as writer] and he’s spending a lot of his time looking into what we’re doing with Iron Man, Thor and Captain America, seeing how we’re tying it all together. And he’s beginning to outline the script now – he’ll be doing that over the summer.”

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