This announcement actually took longer than I imagined. It’s just been announced Marvel’s Thor is getting a sequel, with a scheduled release date of July 26, 2013.
Deadline has the exclusive that confirms actor Chris Hemsworth will return to the title role but that director Kenneth Branagh will not. Deadline says the director “will likely be involved in some producing capacity,” and that his exit was “mutual and amicable.”
Thor’s domestic total to date is $177,441,877. If you add in the foreign markets that number jumps to $437,003,116. While it’s a huge opportunity for another director, it’s also a big weight to carry on your shoulders. I thought Branagh did a great job with the film so I’m a little sad to see him go and I hope it won’t affect the flow of the two films. Marvel’s Iron Man 3 is set for a May 2013 release date so it looks as if we’ll have another comic book summer on our hands like we did this year — not to mention 2012′s The Amazing Spider-Man, Avengers and The Dark Knight Rises.
What are your thoughts on the news? Would you have preferred Branagh stuck around? Who would you like to see direct Thor 2?
EDIT: Deadline has just reported that Don Payne, one of the credited writers on the first film, will be writing the sequel. “Payne rewrote Lobo for Warner Bros, and was one of the writers on Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer. His superhero experience started with My Super Ex-Girlfriend.”
June 30th, 2011 at 3:21 pm
As long as it’s based on a remote island where evil towers need to be destoryed…
http://www.arowx.com/ld20/WebPlayer.html
I could have a game tie in ;o)
June 30th, 2011 at 3:31 pm
Disappointed that Branagh won’t be directing–I thought he did a great job. Hopefully Natalie Portman is in this.
June 30th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
Time for Beta Ray Bill…..
[and please no more of the shiny asgard stories]
June 30th, 2011 at 3:32 pm
What director would Paramount/Marvel ever pick out to replace Brannagh?
June 30th, 2011 at 3:39 pm
Hmm, I’m hoping this is more about Branagh simply not wanting to direct a sequel than what has happened previously: ie, Marvel wanting to go cheaper.
June 30th, 2011 at 3:53 pm
NOOOOOOOOO!
June 30th, 2011 at 3:57 pm
Sarah Jessica Parker for BETA RAY BILL in “THOR 2″ Summer 2013!!
–J.
June 30th, 2011 at 4:02 pm
uhh, I enjoyed Thor, but it wasn’t THAT good. Looked like a regular run of the mill (average)comic film. Campy at times. blah blah. GL wasn’t that good (but fun at times), I saw it. Can someone explain to me how they let a MASSIVE TURD like being to be the main villain? Turd with corn stuck in it. Emerald Knights was way better.
June 30th, 2011 at 4:10 pm
Joe just won the internets.
June 30th, 2011 at 4:18 pm
Branagh did a great job on THOR and I wish his successor all the best for the sequel. Keep this franchise away from the likes of Michael Bay and everything will be just fine!
June 30th, 2011 at 4:31 pm
2 words:
Asgard nipples!
Joel Shumacker should direct!
June 30th, 2011 at 6:18 pm
a new director ?
a new director ? Damon Packard.
Enchantress and Executionner are expected for the sequel and it sucks but if it’s HIM who’s directing it, the whole will looks like Boorman’ EXCALIBUR.
(Beta Ray Bill now would be awesome, but a little too risky : out of space, out of continuity, though BRB is a noblest warrior than Thor, that would be interesting if he could have a kinda exemplar model role)
June 30th, 2011 at 6:20 pm
Branagh probably left for similar reasons that Favreau left Iron Man. He didn’t to want to partake in the shared universe concept that Marvel keeps pushing.
As much as I like Thor, I really can’t stand him as a superhero. They should make a Thor movie more akin to the Valkyrie Profile games from Tri-Ace.
“It shall be engraved upon your soul. Divine Assault … Nibelung Valesti!”
June 30th, 2011 at 6:33 pm
They really need to get the crew that was behind Green Lantern to do the next Thor. Haha!
June 30th, 2011 at 7:35 pm
@Crimsonrain: Dude, I liked GL a little better than Thor. Saw them back-to-back assuming I would need Thor as a cleanser. Uh-uh.
That said, Hemsworth, Hopkins and the dude who played Loki were awesome. If they find some new “mortals” (Natalie Portman is easy on the eyes, but she sucked; Kat Dennings was great but she got distracting*), lay off the Warriors 3 (man, did they disappoint), and don’t cheap out in the third act they should be golden.
* LOVED “Meow Meow.”
June 30th, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Hire Micheal Bay. And let’s have an Asgardian Invasion of Earth.
June 30th, 2011 at 8:36 pm
Sorry but the movie was a poor effort and didn’t do justice to the characters. Then again it really wasn’t Thor but the ultimate one so it doesn’t matter. If they couldn’t get The Destroyer right which was created by Odin ( and even he would have had a hard time defeating it ) it doesn’t matter who’s in it. Funny how word of mouth didn’t hurt this movie as bad as it was. Then again no one really cares about Thor compared to Green Lantern.
July 1st, 2011 at 6:03 am
Hope Brett Ratner gets the job!
July 1st, 2011 at 7:26 am
Who knows why these director decisions are made? If they get someone good the movie will be just as likely to be good as they would if Branagh came back. The fact that he remains involved indicates to me that it had something to do with not wanting to devote 20 hours a day for 2 years to one movie again. I love Branagh but the thing that made the movie a blast to watch was the performance of Hemsworth. He played it like Errol Flynn — fun, dashing — a guy who loves being a hero. When movies feature mopie superheroes they’re no fun. That’s why Iron Man I was so much better than II.
Downey had a blast as Stark/Iron Man in I and was pouty in II.
July 1st, 2011 at 8:03 am
Disappointed. Thought Thor was going to fail but it exceeded my expectations. Loved every minute of it. My only complaint was the casting choices for Hogun and Heimdall but its all good.
I suspect Marvel are cutting costs (ala Jon Favreau with Iron Man). They might be trying to get a director for Thor 2 on the cheap because in the event Branagh came back to do the sequel, you know he would have commanded a larger salary (and rightly so).
July 1st, 2011 at 11:09 am
Enjoyed the original thoroughly because it made at least a nod to the character’s original origin story while still telling a good story. Branagh was the perfect director, only concern is that whoever the next director is, make sure he/she is already a fan of the character.
July 1st, 2011 at 11:33 am
I quite liked Thor… thought it was a good job all around, and did a great job capturing the essence of Thor without making him unlikable.
Hopefully, whoever replaces Branagh tries to emulate his delicate touch, keeping the sequelkl relatively character focused, while amping up the action.
July 1st, 2011 at 11:56 am
@Cuban Linx
Gee, I wonder what the reason was for you not liking the casting choices for Hogun and Heimdall?
July 1st, 2011 at 3:02 pm
Sad to see Branagh leave. I hope there are NO Earth scenes, drop the idiotic SHIELD subplot, the goofy pop culture references (“Facebook!” LOL! I’m on that too!!) and make something grand and epic. And no more minorities in white roles please. kthxbai
July 1st, 2011 at 3:59 pm
“Funny how word of mouth didn’t hurt this movie as bad as it was.”
That’s probably because a lot more people liked Thor than you seem to think.
July 1st, 2011 at 6:15 pm
That means no JMS either?!
HUUUUURRRRNNNNHHHH
July 1st, 2011 at 6:48 pm
I’m much more concerned about the writer. Please, Marvel, please keep a close eye on this guy.
July 1st, 2011 at 6:49 pm
Looks like a couple of Thor fans are total racists – Cuban Linx and Hogun N. Heimdall.
You two must belong to the Aryan Nation that don’t believe in equal opportunity. Hell, let’s not stop at preventing minorities from playing a couple of honkies, how ’bout we go back to Elizabethan times and have all roles played by white men only. You two would totally endorse it then because it’s obvious you guys LOVE caucasian males. *wink wink*
July 2nd, 2011 at 8:29 pm
Glad to see Keith dropped to Cuban’s and Hogun’s level by throwing out a homophobic comment at the end of his rant.
July 4th, 2011 at 5:23 pm
“Branagh probably left for similar reasons that Favreau left Iron Man. He didn’t to want to partake in the shared universe concept that Marvel keeps pushing.”
Pretty sure Marvel tried to lowball them both, with the same result.
July 5th, 2011 at 1:15 pm
…my dollars onto Nicholas Winding Refn..
July 7th, 2011 at 12:51 am
lol.alot of bitter green lantern fans here,thor ftw!
July 26th, 2011 at 1:44 am
There was much more cross-cultural contact in the ancient world (as represented by the casting of Hogun and Heimdall in Thor) than many people realize, or even care to theorize, but even if you’re an ignorant bigot, you can Google the topic.
July 27th, 2011 at 9:45 am
As to calling people racist…
He did very well. Although, I still would have preferred that they held more true to the comic and chose a more appropriate person for the role, but it’s all good.
I mean really… racist?! For the love of God, I guess you can’t say ANYTHING negative about a black, Asian, etc. without being called a racist these days, haha. The word racist ‘used to be’ an ugly word that one would fight you over; an ugly stain that was virtually impossible to wash clean once tagged with it. Now, unfortunately, it has been downgraded to mean nothing or anything. If they don’t agree with you, call them this “ugly word”. Unfortunately, REAL racism has gone uncontested because of this stupid practice! It has been thrown out so often for almost anything, it means nothing! Grow up and be tolerant of other’s opinions without resorting to name calling. Take your heads out of the sand and look at the world the way it is, not how you “pretend” it should be.
As to the characters: The choice for Hogun was ok by me, (Hogun in the comics is Siberian after all). Heimdall however, is NOT black. Sorry, but all you have to do is read any one of 200 issues of Thor with Heimdall in it to see that. That does NOT make one a racist for pointing out that simple fact! Some people like for the movie to match the book/comic as closely as possible. I for one, think that is certainly within their rights and you ignorant, redneck, buffoons (you know who you are) should grow up and be everything you obviously claim to be… more tolerant!
With that said, I too thought the choice for Heimdall was a cheap attempt to insert an African American into a co-starring role just for the sake of doing it. Perhaps even a cheap attempt to stir up some folks’ feathers for a little free publicity, heh. Maybe both! But… to my surprise, I did enjoy his portrayal of the character
That dude that plays Hell-Boy would have been great, sideburns and all, haha.
August 13th, 2011 at 12:18 pm
Well, if they made things exactly like the comic books, which were created some 40 years ago… most of them would all be white casts, which would be quite dull. I have no problem with Heimdall being black, or Perry White being black, etc. For those of you that do… get a life. You are too tied to your comic books, and yeah, you probably are a little racist.
August 16th, 2011 at 3:59 pm
It gets worse, Thorsverd, because not only is Idris Elba not white, he’s not even American! Imagine that! A god being played by a non-white Londoner!
Look, he was the best man for the job, and if you look back to the original source for all this stuff, the Norse Sagas, there is no mention AT ALL as to what colour Heimdall is. He is referred to as being “The brightest of the gods” (some translate as “whitest”, but not as in skin colour… that doesn’t fit with any of his other names or necessarily with his origins, which was as the son of nine maidens) and “the shining As” (since he’s one of the Aesir). But Kenneth Branagh will have read the script and thought “I reckon Idris Elba could do a good job with this”, so cast him.
August 18th, 2011 at 9:14 am
Zagreus, Carl…
You both are entitled to your opinions. Just remember, I am entitled to mine as well ok?
Zagreus: You said, quote “…and yeah, you probably are a little racist.”
REALLY?! hahaha. You do not know me. You do not know my race, where I live, where I come from, my faith…. nothing. I simply stated fact. FACT…. you know, something that cannot be argued over.
The comics depict a WHITE dude as Heimdall. That is a fact.
Even if you cannot read, you can look at the pictures. They cast a BLACK man to portray Heimdall. Again, fact.
Now we can certainly argue over Marvels decision to cast a black man as Heimdall if you like. Publicity? Political correctness? Maybe even.. *gasp*, he was the best man for the job. I guess you did not see the part where I stated: “But… to my surprise, I did enjoy his portrayal of the character. He did very well. Although, I still would have preferred that they held more true to the comic and chose a more appropriate person for the role, but it’s all good.”
Look, some folks like the movie to be reflective of the book(s) as closely as possible. Not just the race thing by the way. All aspects; Attitude, looks, demeanor, abilities, etc. etc.
To me it seemed to be another sad example of inserting a minority into a role just for the sake of doing it. It neither added to, nor took away from the story really. However, it did get them a LOT of free publicity.
Carl: Goodness. Ignorance is bliss I guess. YOUR opinion is the only one that counts, heh. More power to you! Sit back and relax in you ivory, glass walled tower and throw all the stones you like. NOTHING will happen… haha.
BTW: Niether of you know my race, or Country now do you?. You both assume I am white and live in America. How very racist and Imperialistic of you two!!! What… are you racist? What… You think that only white people in the USA or GB can type and have access to a computer??!! You should BOTH be ashamed of yourselves!!!!
Perhaps you both could use a serious dose of “reality check”. While you’re at it… you might consider a class on tolerance. Skip the first two chapters and go right to the part where it talks about how to avoid saying stupid things, therefore avoiding the VERY REAL possibility of having to open your mouth and insert foot!
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September 20th, 2011 at 7:03 am
I wonder if the people who have a problem with Heimdall being black in the movie because he was white in the comics also have a problem with the fact that Nick Fury is played by Samuel L. Jackson in the movies. In mainstream continuity he is still white. He’s only been portrayed in comics as being black for the last 11 years and that’s only in the Ultimate universe.
September 20th, 2011 at 10:50 pm
I was going to write a whole long thing on race and Marvel, but I don’t even know if anyone will read this post, so I’ll save my breath… and use that another time… and just give my 2¢.
Black or white, I thought Idris Elba was one of the best actors in the film. He brought a whole lot of presence and personality that was lacking from other characters such as the Warriors Three. Sif kicked tons of ass though, she did a nice job for the little screen time she had.
As far as the issue of changing a character’s race, it is fine by me as long as it works story-wise. You could argue that Heimdall should be white because he is a Norse god, believed in by the Norwegians, who historically have tended to be of white skin. However, we are looking at a character who is a god, as interpreted through the lens of the Marvel Universe, which threw in a significant amount of sci-fi in Kirby’s creation of Asgard. So with these circumstances, who is to say what a god looks like, regardless of racial/cultural/geographic origin. Some Buddhist deities have green, blue, snow-white, gold, and coal-black skin… I’ve never met a Tibetan or any other Buddhist group with skin that was any of those colors. Nor did I meet any who had more than two arms, like many of their gods do. Nor have I met any Norwegians with the power to summon thunder. Nor have I met any Christian who can actually turn water into wine. But that doesn’t mean none of those things aren’t possible. That doesn’t mean there might not be some Norwegians whose skin happens to be dark.
Okay, tangent.. but my point is, Heimdall is a Norse god who can see anywhere in the world(s)… so some suspension of disbelief is already expected. Furthermore, he is often depicted (yes as a light skinned) but also with stars and the darkness of space across his face… so maybe one legend says that is how he looked, or maybe in truth he had dark skin..? Who’s to say.
I don’t think it changes anything fundamental about the character. What was required of the role of Heimdall was someone who could bring great presence and power and knowledge, as well as strength. I think Idris Elba is the only person in the film I was 100% happy with the casting for because he nailed it. Sif very close, with Loki and Thor right behind. (I’m a little mixed about Odin, and the Three were pretty weak. Jane was okay, but I miss the doctor part and relation with Donald… I just miss Donald.)
Same thing with Michael Clarke Duncan. However, what was required of that role was a dude who was HUGE – muscular, but could also be fat… and you want a great actor to play the role too, of course… I can’t think of any white guys that fit that bill (although maybe Ray Winstone, but he’s not that tall). MCD was probably the best part of that movie, hands down. And race didn’t matter at all there either.
Sam Jackson is a little tougher for me to swallow, but my real problem there is that I think his best acting days are behind him, and now he is in scenery-chewing mode… but not as bad as someone like Nic Cage.. One thing he has working in his favor is he is just a HUGE fan, so I give him props for that. But if they were going to make Nick black, why not go with someone like Keith David, who has a little more age to fit the role and has so much awesome authority…
October 4th, 2011 at 8:42 pm
This film not only represented, but represents to this day, the very best of what it means to be a sci-fi epic. Though revolutionary in the realm of special effects, groundbreaking in other areas and breathtakingly creative, it does not rely solely on its original themes or new quirks to achieve acclaim, as many “good” sci-fi films do. This film, combines the best of science fiction with a story and a spirit that has meaning– an underdog struggle, a coming of age tale, a morality play, behind an incredibly rich backdrop and a timeless cast of characters that fits it perfectly.
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