Branagh and “Thor” Inspirations

Thor Winner: director Kenneth Branagh. 

You know, “Thor” isn’t being released until 2011, filming hasn’t begun, and the title character is still “officially” not cast (though everyone says its Chris Hemsworth). Yet there’s still a pretty steady amount of Thor news out there–which, I must admit, is fine with me.

Today’s Thoughts on Thor come from director Kenneth Branagh. He told MTV News that he is finding inspiration in both the new stuff and the old comics. Let’s hear it from the man:

I think that [’Thor’ stories] go through golden patches and purple patches and everyone has personal favorites,” Branagh told MTV News. “The recent runs have been marvelous. The J. Michael Straczynski run has been a tremendous achievement.”

“But I’ve also been reading way back, reading classic, vintage runs as well,” added Branagh. “There are many Thors and many accounts of the stories across nearly 50 years of the comics. We look to raid from the best.”

Well, it’s nice to know he’s not raiding the worst. Branagh is also listening to those wise in the ways of Thor:

“A lot of the job up to this point has been listening to people who know more and better than I,” answered Branagh. “I have a very strong view of how to approach it myself, but I’m still listening and learning happily.”

You may not always like the end result of what Branagh does, but what I personally like about him is that he does have his ideas and just runs with them, full bore, with 100% enthusiasm. And he has fun. A lot of filmmakers could learn a little about having fun from Branagh. Movies are entertainment. This is why I continue to have high hopes for Thor…which is still oh so far away…