The Hammer of Thor

This story should be proof that everybody wants in on the "making comic books into movies" phenomenon: stage and screen star Kenneth Branagh may sign on to direct the movie version of the Marvel Comics hero Thor. Branagh is most famous as a serious Shakespearan actor, though he's also appeared in and directed several feature films.

According to this story at Playbill.com:

Branagh, who is currently starring in the Donmar's West End mounting of Ivanov, is in negotiations to helm the live-action film for Marvel, which has also delivered Iron Man and The Incredible Hulk. Mark Protosevich is penning the screenplay for the film.

In the Marvel series, Thor is placed into human form by his father in order to learn humility. With no recollection of his former life, Thor becomes a partially disabled medical student Donald Blake, who later discovers his alter ego is the hammer-wielding thunder god. The screen adaptation is aiming for a 2010 release.

If Branagh plans to both act and direct the film, one assumes he doesn't plan to play the title role. We'll see if this comes to pass - but in the comics, Thor always talked in a pseudo-Shakespeare style - and who better to oversee that kind of character?