There have been some truly awful Thors over the years. In researching this column (yes, I do research. It involves watching a lot of cartoons) I was reminded of how difficult it can be to bring a character like Thor to the screen. Things that work well in the comics, such as his faux Shakespearian dialect or his long, girly hair, just don’t really translate that well unless done properly. You either have to go all the way, and adapt the comic character as is (will only work in animation), or you have to make some pretty drastic changes somewhere.

To pick a prime example, check out Eric Allan Kramer’s awful turn in nineteen eighty-eight’s The Incredible Hulk Returns. While the original Hulk TV series was absolutely brilliant, Bill Bixby and Lou Ferrigno’s return to our screens in several low budget TV movies left a lot to be desired. Of the three, and opinions are divided, but in this writer’s opinion, this first one was the worst. Yes, The Trial of the Incredible Hulk featured a completely uninspired version Daredevil, but the Thor who showed up in Returns, and had his ass handed to him by the Hulk, was, at best, a one note joke. An Asgardian warrior who relished battle, women and drink. There was no nobility to the character, and he was incredibly difficult to sympathise with. He also looked bloody stupid.

So, as with last week’s look at Iron Man, we’re faced with a dilemma. There are few truly great Thors, and not a whole lot of good ones to choose from either. Still, I did manage to find five who, at the very least, could be considered adequate. Four of the men on this list deserve their places. This first guy though, I’ll admit, is mostly there to fill out the numbers...

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So here it is, your first look at the movie version of The Avengers. Underwhelmed? I know I am.

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By Odin's beard this looks worth the wait. Good to see my man Coulson getting such a prominent role.

Link: http://www.deadlinehollywooddaily.com/toldja-marvel-studios-about-to-announce-chris-hemsworth-as-thor/

Niki Finke's Deadline Hollywood Daily reported today that following the casting of Chris Hemsworth as the Thunder God, Tom Hiddleston will play Loki the God of Mischief in Kenneth Branagh's upcoming Thor movie. The English actor won Best Newcomer at the 2008 Olivier awards and was last seen opposite Branagh in his TV drama Wallander. I haven't really seen him in anything myself but he certainly has a look of mischief about him, more so than previous candidate Josh Hartnett.

Link: http://splashpage.mtv.com/2009/05/17/chris-hemsworth-cast-as-thor/

Chris Hemsworth, Kirk's Dad George in the new Trek film has been cast as the Mighty Thor in the Kenneth Branagh helmed 2011 Marvel movie according to MTV. Formerly from Aussie soap Home and Away Chris has had to fight hard to get chance at this role so for the good of the franchise let's hope he pulls it off.