Actor/director Kenneth "Henry V" Branagh is in negotiations to direct "Thor," the next Marvel Comics property that will be turned into a live-action film by Marvel Studios, set for a 2010 release.
Premise of the screenplay, adapted from the comic books by writer Mark Protosevich, follows medical student 'Donald Blake', whose alter ego is the Norse 'thunder god' "Thor", previously banished from Asgard. Throughout the film, Thor will undertake a perilous search for his enchanted hammer 'Mjolnir'.
Marvel will self-finance the film via its $500 million credit facility through Merrill Lynch, as they did with "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk".
Protosevich' take is an 'origin' story focusing on the Marvel comic book worlds of 'Asgard' and 'Midgard'. Also appearing in the film will be the Marvel comic book characters 'Odin', 'Balder', 'Fandral', 'Volstagg' and the evil 'Loki'.
Wardrobes will emulate the first "Thor" series by artists Jack Kirby and Vince Colletta.