Anthony Hopkins joins Branagh's Thor as Odin

31 October 2009

John Howell

According to The Hollywood Reporter, Anthony Hopkins has joined the cast of Thor and will play Odin. In Norse mythology, Odin is the father of Thor and the ruler of Asgard and possesses amazing powers of strength and wisdom. He sacrifices his eye in exchange for knowledge.

Anthony Hopkins seems like the perfect choice all things considered. Hopkins was great in Beowulf in a similar role as a powerful father figure and certainly has the stature and charisma to pull it off. He wasn't a God in Beowulf of course, but his acting abilities (with the help of CGI) should certainly be up to the task.

Thor will be directed by Shakespearean specialist Kenneth Branagh and also stars Chris Hemsworth in the title role. We last saw Hemsworth as James T. Kirk's father (George Kirk) in J. J. Abrams Star Trek relaunch.

Filming begins 2010. Thor will be released in May 2011 and is based on Marvel's comic book version of the hammer-wielding Norse thunder god.

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