Thor and Thor: The Dark World are two very different films. While the sequel was a high-stakes adventure that spanned several realms and beyond, the first flick was in many ways a more humble and Shakespearean epic.
And that’s thanks to Kenneth Branagh, who helmed the first flick, while Alan Taylor took over the second. Both films had certain strengths and weaknesses. While Branagh arguably had some of the finest performances squeezed out from his actors, the action was a tad on the weak side. Likewise with Thor 2, where Taylor directed some truly fantastic action beats but couldn’t ring out any outstanding scenes of pure acting.
Still, out of the two films, I may just like the first Thor the most. And according to one Hollywood scoopmeister with a pretty good track record, Marvel may want Branagh back. Umberto Gonzalez from Heroic Hollywood, recently appeared on Popcorn Talk (via JoBlo), saying that Branagh is being courted to return. Here’s what Gonzalez said:
I was hearing that Marvel wanted Kenneth Branagh back for ‘Thor 3′. But, he just got an offer to direct ‘Murder on the Orient Express’ at Fox. So, I don’t know if it is going to happen or not. They’re thinking about bringing him back into the fold.
Branagh has had a mixed track record since the first Thor flick. Jack Ryan: Shadow Recruit didn’t exactly start a new franchise, while Cinderella was pure box office gold for the classically trained actor. It also helps that Cinderella was a Disney property, putting Branagh in what one would assume is good graces over at the house of mouse, who own Marvel. It’d be interesting to see Branagh essentially end that franchise, which is only scheduled for release on November 3, 2017.
Or they could go with another director. Personally, I’d like to see another bit of inspired hiring here, similar to James Gunn on Guardians Of The Galaxy. Anyone have the phone number for Alex Garland?
Last Updated: June 22, 2015
