One minute you're a 'Loser' and the next minute you're a god. That's how quickly things can change in Hollywood, especially if you're Idris Elba.According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel Studios has tapped Elba to play the role of Norse god Heimdall in their upcoming big budget comic adaptation 'Thor.' It marks the second major comic book role for the actor, who also plays betrayed government operative Roque in next year's 'The Losers', based on the DC Comics title of the same name.
The announcement is just the latest in a series of casting decisions on 'Thor,' which has been rounding into shape since noted actor/director Kenneth Branagh took the reigns late last year. Chris Hemsworth, who played Captain Kirk's dad in the popular 'Star Trek' reboot this summer, will take on the title role of Thor, while Natalie Portman, no stranger to comic book movies herself ('V for Vendetta'), will play his human love interest Jane Foster. That romance is sure to be frowned upon by Norse patriarch Odin, who will by portrayed by acting legend Anthony Hopkins.
The film will likely also feature Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury, a character who has been popping up in each of Marvel's films, including 'Iron Man 2' and 'The Incredible Hulk,' in preparation for 2012's massive crossover film 'The Avengers.' And just this week it was announced that Thor's posse, The Warriors Three, had also been cast, with Stuart Townsend playing Fandrall the Dashing, Tadanobu Asano playing Hogun the Grim and Ray Stevenson playing Volstagg the Voluminous.
While details about the plot remain under wraps, the role of Heimdall will likely not be a major one for Elba, who has slowly transformed himself into a leading actor thanks to star turns in films such as 'Obsessed'; in the comics, Heimdall traditionally guards the entrance to the mythical city of Asgard and is a trusted, though stationary, ally of Thor. Still, it's another high profile gig for the British actor who previously was best known for his role as Russell "Stringer" Bell on 'The Wire' -- and with the prevalence of comic book movies these days, who knows what opportunities it may lead to in the future.
Thor is currently slated for a May 20, 2011, release.
Reader Comments (10)
Woody Jamees at 9:05AM on Nov 21st 2009
How is Heimdall, son of Odin, a god of the Norse, going to be played by someone of African descent? This is as offensive as a man of European descent playing Ghandi. If it can't be a little more historically accurate, I'm not sure the movie will be worth seeing.
Dave Oesterle at 11:23AM on Nov 21st 2009
Before a bunch of people jump on here are flame Woody and throw around the "r" word... Marvel political correctness in casting like this really does annoy me. (One minute Nick Fury is David Hasselhoff and the next he's Sam Jackson. Huh?) The Kingpin goes from white to black in DD. The "Ultimates" universe Fury is now "the" Nick Fury. Hogun the Grim is now Japanese and Heimdall - one of the oldest of Norse Gods in Northern European mythological lore - who in all my years of reading the dead-tree version Marvel universe was VISIBLY Northern European completely breaks from the continuity of what Thor fans want & expect. Why not have Beta Ray Bill in the movie, but make it a woman? Let's have Verne Troyer play a giant like Ymir!!! It'd make about as much sense...
Kevin Tutor at 11:24AM on Nov 21st 2009
Even ignoring being historically accurate, I don't remember Heimdall being African-American in the comics. I understand diversity and all, but I think it could be done in a better way. For example: cast an African-American woman as the human love interest. Her race is irrelevant to her character and would be a great chance to have a more diverse cast. My suggestion would be Vivica Fox. Tough, beautiful, not much more expensive than Portman.
Troy Wisehart at 11:31AM on Nov 21st 2009
The casting of an African descent actor in the role of Heimdallr is completely unacceptable. This movie spits on the heritage of the Germanic peoples. This blatant disrespect removes all credibility this movie might have had. Anyone who has anything to do with this movie should be held in utter contempt!
billy b at 12:34PM on Nov 21st 2009
It would figure, he should be proud to be the TOKEN boy for the film. I agree with everyone on here, it is a travesty of cultural, and story line plot. Most people will know no difference, because they only see the media lies, never to look into the real history of things. I would say it will flop big time with anyone that is aware of the real story, and keeping with accuracy.
B9000 at 3:12PM on Nov 21st 2009
No problem with Idris Elba as Heimdall. He could play Balder for all I care, and I'm an old school Thor fan.
You'd think fans would be more concerned whether the actor has the acting chops rather than his ethnic background. Unless the r----- tag fits!
As for Hogun the Grim, I don't know what comic you've been reading, but Hogun' has always been depicted as something of a Mongol and Asiatic since Kirby's Tales of Asgard so why does that bother you?
Andron at 10:41PM on Nov 21st 2009
I think that eldris is a good choice. I loved him in The Reaping I think everyone should keep an open mind let the movie speak for itself. Or atleast wait for the trailer to pass judgement. Marvel has stepped there game up in the movie industry with iron man and the hulk so hopefully the will keep the trend.
Ulfvaldr at 4:34AM on Nov 22nd 2009
Casting a African American as Nick Fury is one thing. But Hemidall,(even tho, its from a comic book) is a Norse God, from an actual religion (Asatru). You cant really expect not to get some serious blow back from this? What do you think would happen if Jesus was portrayed by an Asian? Or Buddha by a blond headed blue eyed Viking?
Alf at 7:39PM on Nov 22nd 2009
The thing to remember is that it is not just a movie based on a comic book... rather it is a movie, based on a comic book, that was based on the lore and spirituality of the norse-germanic-tuetonic people. It is political correctness gone insane. Imagine if Tom Hanks was cast as a zulu warrior king?? There would be outrage and everyone would know it was ridiculous on it's face because it wouldn't make any sense. Let Idris Elba play Daniel Boone, George Patton, or Christopher Columbus...I don't care because there is no spiritual context, to have him portray Heimdal however is a slap in the face to all people who still follow Norse-Germanic traditions, because it is a tradition in which anscestry and lineage play a vital role. Very interesting how one-sided sensitivity is these days. Wake up Hollywood...wake up world.
Ulfvaldr at 6:18AM on Dec 8th 2009
Yeah I think Im just going to boycott this one