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Friday
20Nov2009

Idris Elba Guards the Bifröst Bridge in 'Thor'

DateFriday, November 20, 2009 at 8:02PM
Kenneth Branagh keeps gobbling up talent for Thor. The last time we talked about the Marvel movie, arguably the trickiest of any Marvel flick so far because a fair portion of it plays in another plane and the leads are relative unknowns, we remarked that Branagh was actually putting together one of the better casts any of the brand's superhero movies has seen. And it just improved yet again.

Idris Elba (Rocknrolla, Obsessed, The Wire) has been added to the ensemble, portraying Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard who protects the Bifröst Bridge. That comes to us from The Hollywood Reporter. It might seem strange that Elba is playing a Norse God, but not to me; I'm the guy who thought Will Smith would make a better Captain America than any other choices being bandied about and campaigned for 2012's Chiwetel Ejiofor to play Dr. Watson in Sherlock Holmes.

Yes, we know, Heimdall's not black, but it's fiction. Actually, Heimdall's not anything, because he never existed, so he could be plaid or houndstooth and you couldn't argue it. The most important thing is that Marvel may have outsmarted everyone, especially me, by hiring a director whose films have not been well-received in the past decade, and a director who has never approached even a $100 million movie, much less whatever this turns out to be. Actors have responded very, very well to Branagh being commissioned for the project, and they clearly love his take on this story.

I still have questions, just because Thor is one of those comic book entities that does not transition smoothly to movies (see: Hulk), but for as dim as the prospects looked eight months ago, this is quite a recovery.

AuthorColin Boyd | | in , , , , | Print ArticlePrint Article | | Comment2 Comments |

Reader Comments (2)

I'm a big fan of Elba. He was great on what might be one of the best dramas on TV in the Wire. Kudos to Branagh although I'm still unconvinced about Thor (and I'm a huge comic fan, less into Marvel than others but still a fan) until at least a trailer comes out... long wait.

I never heard (or read I suppose) the Ejiofor campaign but that would have been great. Jude Law's fine too I guess (Road to Perdition, Closer and Huckabees make me a slight believer)

Friday, November 20, 2009 | Unregistered Commenteranybody

Im a big fan of Elba as well... He has onscreen charisma and charm he needs some better roles but Ive liked what I've seen from him thus far....

His British accent is really thick too its funny if you hear him talk in real life

Saturday, November 21, 2009 | Unregistered CommenterSEAN

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