Kenneth Branagh, mostly known for re-envisioning Shakespearian plays for the big screen, apparently wants to break out a little.
According to Variety, he is in negotiations to direct Thor, the next Marvel Comics property that will be turned into a live-action film by Marvel Studios.
Branagh is in good company if he gets the gig, joining the latest string of directors–such as Jon Favreau (Iron Man), Christopher Nolan (the Batman franchise) and Gavin Hood (X-Men Origins: Wolverine)–with arthouse roots taking on big-budget comic-book fare.
The Thor comic-book adaptation, penned by Mark Protosevich, follows disabled medical student Donald Blake, who has an alter ego as the hammer-wielding Norse god Thor.
Having been out of the spotlight for a bit, Branagh, who is currently drawing raves on the London stage in the title role of Ivanov, is having a good year. He’ll next be seen acting in the Richard Curtis-directed The Boat That Rocked and the Bryan Singer-helmed Valkyrie.
Now, who could play Thor? It’d have to be a big blonde-headed fellow–in fact, Branagh himself could have played him back in the day. They’ll probably go with some unknown.
