Branagh Hammering Out Deal to Direct "Thor" Film Adaptation

By Adam Hetrick
September 29, 2008

Academy Award nominee Kenneth Branagh may direct a big screen adaptation of the hammer-wielding "Thor" for Marvel Comics.

Variety reports that Branagh, who is currently starring in the Donmar's West End mounting of Ivanov, is in negotiations to helm the live-action film for Marvel, which has also delivered "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk." Mark Protosevich is penning the screenplay for the film.

In the Marvel series, Thor is placed into human form by his father in order to learn humility. With no recollection of his former life, Thor becomes a partially disabled medical student Donald Blake, who later discovers his alter ego is the hammer-wielding thunder god. The screen adaptation is aiming for a 2010 release.

Branagh's directorial credits include "Sleuth," "As You Like It," "Love's Labour's Lost," "Hamlet," "Frankenstein," "Much Ado About Nothing" and "Henry V." He staged the 2003 production of The Play What I Wrote for Broadway.