Marvel Studios reports that Academy Award nominated actress Natalie Portman has been cast to star as 'Jane Foster' in the studio’s upcoming feature "Thor":
In Marvel's early "Journey Into Mystery" comics featuring "the Mighty Thor", 'Jane Foster' was an office nurse who became the Norse god Thor's first love, via his human identity 'Dr. Don Blake'.
Portman will star opposite actor Chris "Star Trek" Hemsworth as 'Thor' and Tom Hiddleston as the god of mischief 'Loki' for director Kenneth Branagh and Marvel Studios producer Kevin Feige.
Marvel will self-finance "Thor" with a $500 million credit facility through Merrill Lynch, as they did with "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk".
Principal photography is prepping for an early 2010 start.
The film will be distributed by Paramount, May 20, 2011.
"...Marvel Studios expands its film universe with a new type of superhero: 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" is one of a slate of films produced by Marvel Studios based on Marvel comic book characters, including "Iron Man 2" set for a May 7, 2010 release, "The First Avenger: Captain America", set for July 22, 2011 and "The Avengers" on May 4, 2012.
