Brian Kirk in talks to direct 'Thor 2'

[Tribal Warfare]

Brian Kirk in talks to direct 'Thor 2'

Marvel, Disney taps 'Game of Thrones' helmer for superhero sequel

By Marc Graser, Justin Kroll
After tackling the fantasy genre with episodes of HBO's "Game of Thrones," helmer Brian Kirk is in early talks to direct "Thor 2" for Marvel Studios and Disney.

Pic would mark Kirk's directorial debut on a major Hollywood production, which has already been skedded for a July 26, 2013 release.

The project will bring back Chris Hemsworth's hammer-wielding superhero to the bigscreen for his next adventure after "The Avengers."

Kirk rose to the top of the list of directors vying for the job after he showed his abilities to juggle large ensembles of thesps and complex storylines in his TV projects, while also grounding the fantasy genre via his work on "Thrones." The "Thor" sequel is expected to feature a large cast of Aasgardians and creatures in the Norse mythology-set world.

In addition to "Thrones," the Irish helmer is best known for directing episodes of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" as well as Showtime's "Dexter" and BBC's "Luther." He has also helmed episodes of yet-to-bow series "Luck" on HBO and "Great Expectations" on BBC.

Disney was eager to put the pic on its schedule after "Thor" collected $447 million at the worldwide box office, and the character proves a central figure in "The Avengers."

Although invited back to direct Hemsworth in another "Thor," Kenneth Branagh opted not to return.

Don Payne, who co-wrote "Thor," is tackling the sequel. He also scripted Fox's "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer."

Production began last month on "Great Expectations," BBC's three-part adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel. Project, penned by Sarah Phelps, stars Ray Winstone, Gillian Anderson, Douglas Booth, Izzy Meikle-Small and Vanessa Kirby.

A number of other helmers had been considered for the "Thor" sequel, including Drew Goddard ("Cabin in the Woods"), James McTeigue ("Ninja Assassin"), Noam Murro ("300: Battle of Artemesia") and Breck Eisner ("The Crazies").

Other helmers are also being eyed should Kirk's deal not go through.

A Marvel Studios spokesperson declined to comment.

[Chiefspants]

Originally Posted by Sorter

Saw it yesterday.

Fantastic. Wish it was a bit longer and had some other issues but I thought it was pretty swell.

The word is that Alan Taylor got in a fist fight with Marvel to make it 135-150 minutes, Marvel wouldn't budge. Because of that, I'm going to reserve the majority of my judgments for the director's cut.

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

The word is that Alan Taylor got in a fist fight with Marvel to make it 135-150 minutes, Marvel wouldn't budge. Because of that, I'm looking forward to the director's cut.

Based on some of the behind the scenes footage, I suspect that if there is director's cut a few of my issues with the film will be relieved.

[007]

Originally Posted by Chiefspants

The word is that Alan Taylor got in a fist fight with Marvel to make it 135-150 minutes, Marvel wouldn't budge. Because of that, I'm going to reserve the majority of my judgments for the director's cut.

You know, lately, we have not been getting directors cuts on anything. Why is that?

[mr. tegu]

Loved it! The comic relief was very natural to the dialogue and scenes as well.

[Valiant]

thought it was great. A directors cut should be amazing

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Valiant

thought it was great. A directors cut should be amazing

The way Taylor sounded, there should be quite a few scenes with Malekith/Odin.


I am disappointed at the

Spoiler!

lack of emotion/rage from Thor/Loki/Odin after Frigga's death as well as Loki's (Thor). I did anticipate Frigga dying but also thought that there would be some brutal vengeance (which was absent, IMO)

[Micjones]

Originally Posted by Sorter

I am disappointed at the

Spoiler!

lack of emotion/rage from Thor/Loki/Odin after Frigga's death as well as Loki's (Thor). I did anticipate Frigga dying but also thought that there would be some brutal vengeance (which was absent, IMO)

Spoiler!

I felt the same way. Thor seemed to take Loki's death much harder. Loki was the only one who seemed to be torn up about Frigga. Definitely a strange way to write that.

[Fire Me Boy!]

Originally Posted by Micjones

Spoiler!

I felt the same way. Thor seemed to take Loki's death much harder. Loki was the only one who seemed to be torn up about Frigga. Definitely a strange way to write that.

Spoiler!

Disagree. I thought Odin showed some mourning right after she died, cradling her body and weeping; then later, his anger I felt was a clear manifestation of his grief. Thor, on the other hand... yeah, he didn't seem that torn up about it. Of course, he did have Natalie Portman to help him feel better. I'll be she gave him an "I'm sorry for you loss" squeezer.

[Deberg_1990]

It was ok I guess. Sort of in the middle to bottom half of the a Marvel studios flicks for me. Best parts were anything with Loki pretty much.

Spoiler!

What was with the weirded out Benicio Del Toro cameo. Wtf is the Collector?

The after credits scene should have just been included in the movie. Kind of dumb to make the audience wait for that.

[Sure-Oz]

Pretty good movie but I could've waited...DC would def help

[Gravedigger]

Originally Posted by Deberg_1990

Spoiler!

What was with the weirded out Benicio Del Toro cameo. Wtf is the Collector?

The after credits scene should have just been included in the movie. Kind of dumb to make the audience wait for that.

Spoiler!

The Collector will be in Guardians of the Galaxy. The items he's referring to are the Gems that go in the Infinity Gauntlet. It's a weapon with six stones in it that control different aspects of a person. Thanos uses the Infinity Gauntlet to start a war in the comics.

I really liked it, definitely better than the first. The emotional scenes were better, the soundtrack was better, the acting was better, the humor was better, the only negatives I have of the movie are it's main antagonist Malekith, and Jane Foster. I don't think Natalie Portman adds anything to the movies anymore.

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by Gravedigger

Spoiler!

The Collector will be in Guardians of the Galaxy. The items he's referring to are the Gems that go in the Infinity Gauntlet. It's a weapon with six stones in it that control different aspects of a person. Thanos uses the Infinity Gauntlet to start a war in the comics.

I really liked it, definitely better than the first. The emotional scenes were better, the soundtrack was better, the acting was better, the humor was better, the only negatives I have of the movie are it's main antagonist Malekith, and Jane Foster. I don't think Natalie Portman adds anything to the movies anymore.

Portman is smokin, that's about all they wrote her up for

[Baby Lee]

[Sure-Oz]

Originally Posted by Baby Lee

WTF?

[Sorter]

Originally Posted by Gravedigger

I really liked it, definitely better than the first. The emotional scenes were better, the soundtrack was better, the acting was better, the humor was better, the only negatives I have of the movie are it's main antagonist Malekith, and Jane Foster. I don't think Natalie Portman adds anything to the movies anymore.

I loved the first's theme. I disagree that the emotional scenes were better

Spoiler!

they cut a scene were Loki breaks down about Frigga and didn't really highlight Thor's grief. The "trust my rage" line isn't ever portrayed (and could have done so via more brutality in their fight scene with Malekith/Kurse but it's not R )

Additionally, I wish they'd given some insight into the books Frigga was giving as it would have provided a bit of insight to what happens with Loki in the future

This:



and this (starting at 1:18)


are much more emotional scenes than what was presented in Thor 2 IMO.