Thor Returning to Theaters, Leaving Director Behind

[Logan Westbrook]

Thor Returning to Theaters, Leaving Director Behind

One turn in the Marvel director's chair is apparently quite enough for Kenneth Branagh.

It's good news if you're a fan of the Thor movie, as Marvel has greenlit another installment of the thunder god's adventures. It's not such good news if you're a fan of Kenneth Branagh's direction however, as he will not be returning to helm the movie.

Marvel has scheduled the movie to hit theaters on July 26th, 2013, which means that - like Iron Man 3, which opens on May 3rd, 2013 - it will come after the events of Joss Whedon's Avengers film. The split between Marvel and Branagh is said to be "mutual and amicable," and it's thought that Branagh will still be involved with the movie in a production capacity. Star Chris Hemsworth will return for the movie - which will be his third outing as the character after The Avengers - but no other cast members have been confirmed just yet.

Thor has a wide ranging, and often weird and wonderful rogues' gallery, as you might expect from a character based on Norse myth. It could be really fun to watch him battle dragons and dark elves, especially if the sequel achieves the same balance of spectacle, action, and comedy that worked so well in the first movie.

Source: Deadline [http://www.deadline.com/2011/06/marvel-and-disney-sets-thor-2-for-summer-2013-kenneth-branagh-wont-return/]





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[Cabisco]

I consider this news a massive shame, I thought considering the source material Kenneth Branagh did a wonderful job at making Thor successful. Hopefully we will get to learn some more information on why he hasn't returned.

 

[Trogdor1138]

I consider this news a massive shame, I thought considering the source material Kenneth Branagh did a wonderful job at making Thor successful. Hopefully we will get to learn some more information on why he hasn't returned.

Agreed with this. I was very surprised with how the film turned out and I feel he was a lot of the reason that it worked well. Oh well, wait and see, all we can do now.

 

[high_castle]

Branagh brought a lot of gravitas and sincerity to what easily could have been a very silly production. I think it was his Shakespearean background showing, and I'm really saddened to hear he won't be involved with the next one. Hopefully he really will stay on in some capacity and lend advice on the direction.

 

[zombie711]

They did that with iron man and look how well that turned out

 

[Woodsey]

Could be a mistake - his history of directing Shakespeare was undoubtedly a big reason in why it worked.

 

[deth2munkies]

I'm absolutely baffled that you lauded the "balance" of the first movie when that was really the only thing wrong with it. The movie took it's dear sweet time in the second act and kind of just meandered around with relationship building and nothing else for ~15-20 minutes.

I mean, yeah, it all works out in the end and it's a good movie, but they really need to fix that for the sequel, and achieve a better mix of story and action instead of giving us a load of action, looong expanse of story without action, then a bunch of action again.

 

[SomeBritishDude]

It's a miracle that Thor worked at all. Without a director with a head for shakespire who can make big bizzare concepts work I don't have much hope for the sequel.

 

[Gindil]

It could be really fun to watch him battle dragons and dark elves...

Somehow, when I read this, my mind suddenly thought of Thor vs Drizzt...

The world is not ready for such an emo villain. /s

 

[Baradiel]

Kenneth Branagh is a brilliant actor. I haven't seen Thor, so I can't vouch for his directorial skills, but the man KNOWS Shakespeare. If the film had a very theatrical tone, its down the Branagh.

Also, first thing I thought when I saw the title is "they've spelt 'Theatre' wrong." then I realised its the American way of spelling it. [sub]I stand by what I said [/sub]

 

[Saltyk]

I liked Thor. I'm sure it was partly due to the director (as well as the story, acting, etc). Hopefully they can find a good director for the sequel.

My biggest worry for the Avengers is that there will be too many heroes/stars. I'm afraid they might all end up getting diluted in the end. Time will tell, I guess.

 

[WolfThomas]

People seem to read this as "Marvel doesn't hire Kenneth Branagh again", where as I get the impression it's more "Kenneth Branagh doesn't want to do the sequel". From what I've hear he enjoyed doing and it was probably quite finiancially rewarding but perhaps he just wants to go back to the theatre.

I think he was crucial along with Anthony Hopkins for successfully building the backgrond of Thor for the first movie, but with a sequel likely to be set more on earth (if not all of it) with it's Avengers connections, another director might do just as well with a different tone.

Edit: The best situation to have in my mind is what they had in First Class (Singer the original Xmen and X2 director produced, Vaughan directed), if Kenneth Branagh was the producer and it had a competent director, it might be even better than the first. Keeps the vision of the first guy, but might improve flow and pacing.

 

[GeorgW]

I think he did a good job, but I won't make any assumptions until I see the movie.

 

[Harbinger_]

The director did a fantastic job. Whoever steps up to the plate has big shoes to fill.

 

[RA92]

I was absolutely against the idea of a Thor movie and then tying said movie with the Avengers movie, because I didn't think bringing in a supernatural character with Iron Man, Hulk and Nick Fury would be consistent with the internal reality of the other sci-fi Marvel franchises.

Saying that, I thought Thor was fine, and Branagh certainly made a rather laughable concept work.

 

[Fetzenfisch]

They really want to make a big Avengers/Marvel Moviecosmos there, dont they? Well a change of direction doesnt have to be a mistake, buts its a difficult thing at best. I personally dont care that much for Thor, in my opinion one of the 3 least interesting Superheroes next to Superman and Lantern, but it could influence the whole Avengerverse they are going to create.

 

[WaReloaded]

Whilst I don't completely agree with the decision to replace Branagh as the director of the new film, I still eagerly anticipate its release.

 

[Kinokohatake]

They did that with iron man and look how well that turned out

No they didn't. Iron Man 1 and 2 had the same director. It was the guy who played the chauffeur, John Favreau (Sorry if I messed up the last name)

 

[Togs]

It was pretty much Brannagh that made it imho, but we will see who they bring in as his replacement.

 

[Baresark]

That stinks, he was an incredible director. The worst part is that there is no telling what yahoo they will get to direct the next one. I recall Xmen 3 being horrible, but the director was a guy who only directed some funny comedy movies, but nothing like Xmen. The guy who did Xmen: First Class was the guy who was supposed to direct it, and First Class was amazing. Also, look at Green Lantern, horrible director and shitty writers in combination ruined that film. I hope they get someone good. I wish there were more details on the reasons for the split though.