The Mighty Thor may finally have found his father, with the news that Anthony Hopkins is in talks to play the one-eyed Norse Allfather Odin (aka Woden, Wotan, or if you're a Neil Gaiman fan, Mr Wednesday) in Kenneth Branagh's mythic Marvel epic.
Maybe he's had his enthusiasm for big-budget Hollywood reignited with The Wolfman, or maybe it was Branagh's involvement that persuaded him, but either way, it'll be great to see Hopkins back in a blockbuster, and he joins a stonking cast which, you'll know by now, also includes Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Tom Hiddleston as Loki (Odin's other, adopted son), Natalie Portman as nurse Jane Foster, and Jamie Alexander as the Lady Sif (plus Samuel Jackson as Nick Fury and Stellan Skarsgard in a still unspecified role).
As portrayed in the comics, Odin ought to be considerally more dressed and less drunk than Hopkins' turn as King Hrothgar in Beowulf. You need a clear head to wield the Odinforce.
Would have liked to have seen Blessed as Odin.....but still - Hopkins is no slouch when it comes to father/mentor type roles. Remember the first Zorro movie? Hopkins anchored the entire film with a seriousness and believable gravitas that I think this Thor movie will need. The cast is shaping up quite nicely...and they start shooting early next year - so I still have faith..... ... Read More
i would like to see blessed tackle the voluminous one, but i'm just not sure hopkins is the best fit for odin. i'm happy to wait and see what brannagh produces right enough ... Read More
For all the people saying Brian Blessed would be a better Odin than Anthony Hopkins, I disagree. Marvel's Odin brings with him an intense, world-weary gravitas, better suited to Hopkins than the theatrical Blessed. Blessed's booming bluster is a much better fit for Volstagg of the Warriors Three, if they want to give him a role in the movie. ... Read More
They MUST get him in there somewhere. Still could be Odin if Hopkins falls through I guess. With Hopkins it's all about the paycheque, so we'll see if Marvel can stump up enough moolah or if they'll try and make it a long distance deal like Samuel L. Jackson and Scarlett Johansson's. ... Read More
made up if it's true. wasn't too keen on blessed being odin, although he does look the part, i wouldn't be able to put up with everyone shouting "THOR'S ALIIIIIVE?!" all the time. ... Read More
Nah, I like Hopkins, but I'd rather have Blessed. I suppose there's a bit more "naturalism" to Hopkins' performances, which might make the high fantasy elements an easier sell. Funnily enough, though, it was Hopkins I pictured as Mr Wednesday when I read American Gods, so I guess he does have something Odin-ish about him. ... Read More
L: JIm R
er.....I thought Brian Blessed had been cast in the role. Confused !!!!
sp;
Same here!
I love Brian Blessed, he is a national treasure and would've been great as Odin - especially in the shouty bits, but let's face it - Hopkins is an awesome actor and would bring more gravitas to the role of Odin than Brian Blessed would have. I see this as good news! ... Read More
