IGN had the chance to ask Thor director Kenneth Branagh for an update at the premiere screening of his TV movie series Wallander. Branagh told them that they are in intense pre-production mode and are still figuring who will actually play Thor, although they do have a date set for filming.
The Oscar-nominated actor-filmmaker gave us a status update on Thor during a brief one-on-one before the screening.
We asked Branagh how he plans on balancing shooting the newly announced second series of Wallander telepics with his other filmmaking obligations. “Well, I’m working currently on Thor for Marvel and we’re planning that one. We’re having a great time at the moment. We’re in intense pre-production,” Branagh said. “I shoot Thor in January of next year and because the time of release has been moved, it’s allowed me to have a moment in the summer where I can shoot the Wallanders.”
He added, “And, strangely, there’s a weird, pleasing connection between the Swedish Wallander and the Nordic Thor. And as I’ve played a lot of Danish Hamlets, I feel as though my Scandinavian trilogy is forming.”
Branagh also confirmed the rumor that his award-winning Wallander co-star Tom Hiddleston is in the running for a role in Thor. “Tom Hiddleston is a great actor and he, amongst a number of others, has been part of the group we’ve spoken to and all that’s still a work in progress.”
