Tom Hiddleston is Loki

Tom HiddlestonWhen Chris Hemsworth was selected to play Thor, many immediately thought the part of Loki would go to a bigger name.

In some comic book movies, when the lead superhero is played by an unknown or a lesser-known actor, then the lead villain role goes to a better-known actor. Think Christopher Reeves/Gene Hackman (Superman) or Brandon Routh/Kevin Spacey (Superman Returns) or Thomas Jane/John Travolta (The Punisher).

However, the creators of "Thor" are taking a different approach. They are matching a little-known title character, with a little-known lead actor and now they have added the little-known Tom Hiddleston to play Loki.

It's an interesting approach to be sure.

So far, the biggest name involved with the movie is Kenneth Branagh (who is not slated to act in the movie as of yet).

And while many people know little about Hemsworth or Hiddleston, most are willing to believe Branagh knows his stuff when it comes to actors.

So, who is Hiddleston? Good question. I'll let Wikipedia take it from here:

Thomas William Hiddleston (born in Westminster, London, in 1981) is an award-winning British actor.

He studied at Eton College, where he boarded in Durnford House, and then read classics at Pembroke College, Cambridge. He then attended the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, from which he graduated in 2005.

Since his RADA graduation, he signed with notable actors agency Hamilton Hodell, and has played major parts in Cheek by Jowl's productions "The Changeling" (in which he played Alsemero and for which he received an Ian Charleson Award 2006 Commendation), and "Cymbeline" (Posthumus Leonatus & Cloten), for which he won the Laurence Olivier Award.

His screen credits include Randolph Churchill, son of Winston Churchill the wartime Prime Minister, in the film "The Gathering Storm." He also appeared in a leading role in Joanna Hogg's film "Unrelated" (2007).

His Donmar Warehouse credits include "Cassio" in Michael Grandage's production of Shakespeare's "Othello" alongside Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ewan McGregor to much critical acclaim and Lvov in their West End revival of Chekhov's "Ivanov."

His TV credits include Detective Martinsson in the BBC drama Wallander and Bill Hazledine in Suburban Shootout.

***

As for the movie itself:
Hmmm, a comic book property unfamilar to the general audience with actors not gererally known by the general audience. Why does this sound familiar?

I'm just saying ...

Update on Mon, May 18, 2009 by Sean Gerski

For those people who like to post "has this been confirmed?" every time a casting story breaks, here is your confirmation -- direct from Marvel.com:

Waiting for the movie hammer to fall, Thor fans? So are we! Verily!

And we're getting so much closer because now we know who Thor will be facing off against and that's Tom Hiddleston as the trickster Loki!

Marvel Studios announced today Hiddleston has been cast as the villain Loki in the highly anticipated movie "Thor." Kenneth Branagh will direct the film penned by Mark Protosevich and Ashley Miller & Zak Stentz.

Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige will produce the film. The film will be released in the U.S. on May 20, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of super hero: "Thor." This epic adventure spans the Marvel Universe; from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the center of the story is The Mighty Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans as punishment. Once here, Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

"Thor" reunites Hiddleston with Branagh, with whom he worked on the London production of Chekhov's "Ivanov." The talented actor and Branagh also starred together in the BBC miniseries "Wallander."

Hiddleston's credits also include "Othello," in which he starred with Chiwetel Ejiofor and Ewan McGregor at the Donmar Warehouse, and he played Winston Churchill's son in HBO's "The Gathering Storm."

In 2008, Hiddleston was nominated twice for the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Newcomer – for his role in Othello" and for his role in "Cymbeline." He won the award for the latter.

In addition to "Thor," Marvel Studios is also scheduled to release a slate of films based on the Marvel characters including "Iron Man 2" on May 7, 2010, "The First Avenger: Captain America" on July 22, 2011, and "The Avengers" on May 4, 2012.

Chris Hemsworth is Thor

After much speculation, the role of Thor has landed with 25-year-old Australian Chris Hemsworth.

The 6'3" actor was seen most recently as James T. Kirk's father in "Star Trek." 

The news was broken By Nikki Finke, who is becoming hard to beat for breaking casting scoops in superhero movies.

According to Finke, this is how it went down:

"The way Chris Hemsworth got the part of Thor is one of those great Hollywood backstories that happens only once in a blue moon. Ward had found Chris during one of the manager's many scouting trips to Australia. Ward brought him to Los Angeles and really put him out there to casting directors and production executives.As for the major agencies, I hear CAA passed on the meeting, Endeavor took it but passed on repping him, and ICM was interested but dragged their feet. But Eileen Feldman got his appeal immediately.

Chris had read for the part of Thor but wasn't given a test because a casting director had nixed him early on. I'm told Chris' younger brother Liam (who's also a ROAR client) then tested for the role of Thor, but Marvel's Kevin Feige passed. Then, after a conversation with Ward ('You've got to reconsider Chris, he's your guy'), Feige decided to let Chris read again. And once Marvel put him on tape, it was 'Oh my god.' Branagh came to town last week and saw the Chris test and made the final casting decision today."

A source has told me the part includes a five-picture commitment. Included in the deal is a part in "The Avengers" movies.

"Thor" is slated to be released May 20, 2011 (a date that is subject to change). Marvel will self-finance the film, with distribution to be handled by Paramount Pictures.

Spacey Impersonates Carson ... But Don't Expect a Sequel

It may be a surprise to some, especially to those that only know him for doing dramas, but Kevin Spacey is quite a skilled impressionist. (The "Saturday Night Skit" where he shows the failed "Star Wars" auditions is legendary.)

Last night, Spacey visited the set of the Tonight Show where he did a masterful impression of Johnny Carson (and he even brought the Carson mug that he won at an auction).

Check out the clip from last night:

In other Spacey "news," through his Twitter account, Spacey answered the following question from user Nattjenta: "If you had the option (and maybe you do) of doing a sequel to any movie you've made, which one would you choose?"

Spacey's answer: "I would not make a sequel to any films I have made. Except for Superman. I just like the films I have done to exist as they are."

And, yes, it's really Spacey using his own Twitter account. So, Warner Bros., if you are up for a "Superman Returns" sequel, Spacey is game for it. "Fred Claus 2"? Not so much.

The Next Evolution In Movie Posters Has Arrived

If you are one of those people (like me) who wonder why more movie posters haven't taken advantage of 3-D technology, the newest poster for "Terminator: Salvation" being displayed at the Arclight in Hollywood is a welcome sight.

For others, it's merely a sight to behold.

Take a look at this short film to get a glimpse of the (very near) future:

And if you are interested, the following is a brief film made last year that showcases how the technology is progressing -- and being showcased at art galleries:

Trailer For 'Nine' Debuts ... Awards Set To Follow

"Nine" is one of those movies that you just know will make a splash when the Oscar nominations are announced.

Here is the official description of the movie (and take a look the stars -- there is a lot of Oscar-bait in there):

“NINE” is a vibrant and provocative musical that follows the life of world famous film director Guido Contini (Daniel Day-Lewis) as he reaches a creative and personal crisis of epic proportion, while balancing the numerous women in his life including his wife (Marion Cotillard), his mistress (Penelope Cruz), his film star muse (Nicole Kidman), his confidant and costume designer (Judi Dench), an American fashion journalist (Kate Hudson), the whore from his youth (Stacy Ferguson) and his mother (Sophia Loren). The film is directed by Rob Marshall (CHICAGO). The original 1982 Broadway production of “NINE,” with music and lyrics by Maury Yeston, won five Tony Awards including Best Musical.

And the trailer that was released today only further enhances the idea that this is a movie destined for a date with destiny come Academy Award time.

For big-time movie fans, the trailer is like a homage to who's who of the all-time great film-makers. This definitely looks like a movie to keep an eye on.

"Nine" is due to be released Nov. 25, 2009.

Kevin Smith's 'Green Hornet' Movie -- Coming to a Comic Book Store Near You

As Seth Rogen toils away at getting the Green Hornet up on the big screen, it's worth remembering that Kevin Smith previously took at shot at the gig.

In fact, he got as far as writing the script before pulling the plug.

Recently, Smith has been getting involved in more comic book writing (and trying to do a better job at getting issues out in a timely manner). He got his latest series -- a three-issue Batman arc -- out on time and he has plans for a 12-issue Batman series (with a planned six-month break midway through).

On his blog, Smith said he also was offered an opportunity to write for Green Hornet.

"Nick Barrucci over at Dynamite Entertainment dropped me an e-mail a few weeks back to tell me that, in addition to the 'Lone Ranger,' 'Battlestar Galactica' and 'Red Sonja' comics he publishes, he’d just been granted the rights to publish comics featuring the Green Hornet and Kato," Smith wrote.

According to Smith, he was offered the chance to write an arc for the series.

"Citing the movie I’m in the midst of making -- 'A Couple of Dicks' -- and [the upcoming Batman series], I declined. 'As much as I’d love to,' I wrote back. 'Right now, I can’t make the time to write a Green Hornet story.' Then, I remembered that I’d written a Hornet story once before…," Smith wrote.

Smith said the comic book series won't be "a straight-up adaptation of the 'Green Hornet' movie script" but that it will "take its cues from that script -- just as that script took its cues from all the source material available (radio, TV, comics)."

Smith said the comics will be "about as close as I’ll get to making that 'Green Hornet' flick I walked away from directing all those years ago."

Smith also noted that the series will have no connection to the movie Rogen is working on.

"Had Seth and I ever talked about our respective 'Hornet' scripts on the set of 'Zack and Miri Make a Porno,' believe me, I’d have co-opted/stolen his ideas and incorporated them into the comic," Smith wrote. "But we kinda treated 'Hornet' like an ex-girlfriend of mine that he was currently [sleeping with] ... the less said, the better. No, the only connection we’ll have to Seth’s flick is the fact that we’re a comic, and Seth reads comics (lots, people)."

Smith said the story will cover the passing of the torch from Britt Reid to his son, Britt Jr.

"And while we haven’t landed an interior artist yet, some stellar talent has signed-on to provide us with covers: John Cassaday, Jae Lee, David Finch, and a newcomer name of Ross…," he wrote.

And, as luck would have it, Smith included a sketch of Green Hornet by Alex Ross (above left).

Don't Be In Such a Hurry To Meet the Mother

From left, Neil Patrick Harris, Alyson Hannigan, Jason Segel, Cobie Smulders and Josh Radnor star in 'How I Met Your Mother'Of all of the inexplicable things happening in television these days, few things are more mysterious to me than why "How I Met Your Mother" doesn't pull in bigger ratings. 

It does OK, and seems to be off the bubble for getting renewed (as was the case the past few seasons), but it isn't the hit it should be.

Part of it is the timing, to be sure. Sitcoms -- outside of the insipid "Two and a Half Men" -- aren't really leading the ratings charts. It's a time of reality shows and police procedurals. In fact, if "Friends" was on the air now, as opposed to in the '90s, there is little chance that it would have the cultural impact it had back then.

And "Friends" is certainly part of the "HIMYM" story. If you liked "Friends," you are almost certain to like "HIMYM," but even if you hated "Friends," "HIMYM" should still appeal to you.

The show blends many of the best aspects of classic sitcoms and modernizes them. There are traces of "Seinfeld," 'Scrubs," and many more in the "HIMYM" DNA.

However, as much as I love the show -- and there is no show I look forward to more each week -- I will admit there are a few flaws.

1. The Barney/Robin romance angle is a little too Joey/Rachel for my liking. It failed on "Friends" and the lesson should have been learned. Somehow, however, it seems there are people who are in favor of the idea of Barney and Robin getting together. These are the people who must not realize how much of the show's humor is derived from Barney being a ladies' man. Making him into a romantic sap pining over Robin is not fun.

2. The show's very concept -- that of a man explaining to his kids how he, well, met their mother -- sometimes paints the writers into a corner. Ted and Robin had fantastic chemistry, but there was no was no way they could end up togther, as at the end of the first episode Ted calls her "your aunt Robin."

The show's concept killed off the possibility of those two ending up together.
In addition, as the show has grown more popular, more and more viewers have started whining about when we are going to meet the mother.
I say, if you are going to watch a show about the journey, then enjoy the journey. Don't be in such a hurry to get to the destination.

The show's fourth season wraps up Monday night and people are already wondering whether we will meet the mother that night. We won't.

Most sources, including the creators of the show and the actors on it, say the show has three years left. And that's when we will meet the mother. In the meantime, enjoy the ride and don't worry so much about the destination.

Below, for your viewing pleasure, I have included a few video interviews from E! with cast members
Neil Patrick Harris (Barney), Sarah Chalke (Stella), Jason Jones (Tony) and Josh Radnor (Ted).
Warning: The interview with Radnor includes a few mild spoilers.

'Superman' Movie Costume Going Up For Sale

Parts of the costume worn by Christopher Reeve in the Superman movies are going up for auction May 24 in Melbourne, Australia.

Items for sale will include the bodysuit, -- including the \S/ logo -- worn in "Superman III" and the red trunks and yellow belt worn by Reeve in "Superman: The Movie."

The cape andb oots are not included in the items being auctioned.

Giles Moon, the national head of collectibles at auctioneers Bonhams and Goodman, told the Herald Sun Newspaper that Superman outfits are rarely offered for sale.

According to Moon, a complete outfit sold a few years ago in the United States for $100,000.

The items up for sale on May 24 have a price target between $15,000 to $20,000.

A letter of authenticity from Warner Bros. will be included with the outfit.

Stars reach out to Trek fans

Sure, it wasn't Shatner telling Trekkies to "get a life," but it will do in a pinch. Here are Chris Pine, Zachary Quinto and Leonard Nimoy asking hardcore Star Trek fans to give the new movie a chance.

Trailer For Woody Allen's Latest 'Works'

It's always a bit disconcerting when you watch a Woody Allen movie in which he isn't the lead, but the lead is clearly an avatar of his personality, so the lead actor semi-impersonates Woody.

However, if there is an actor today capable of doing that and making it work, it just might be Larry David. The actor, best known for "Curb Your Enthusiasm," already plays a variation of Woody Allen on the show (and somewhat in real life).

As the newly-released trailer for Woody Allen's upcoming movie, "Whatever Works," shows, it's a nice fit.

Opening with limited enagements June 19, "Whatever Works" is looking preetty, preetty, preetty good.