The Mighty Thor.

[Speed Tracer]

For all us comic fans...

Marvel Studios is setting Matthew Vaughn to direct "Thor," based on the Marvel Comics character. Marvel is aiming for a pre-strike production start this winter. Mark Protosevich ("I Am Legend") did the adaptation of the comicbook franchise that launched in 1962. Thor is a blonde-tressed, hammer-wielding hero who's sent to Earth to protect mankind.

Vaughn's deal is closing just as Paramount releases the Vaughn-directed "Stardust" today. The Neil Gaiman novel adaptation stars Robert De Niro and Michelle Pfeiffer.

"Thor" marks Vaughn's second effort at a superhero pic. He was attached to direct "X-Men 3" before bowing out for personal reasons. Vaughn, who produced the Guy Ritchie-directed films "Lock, Stock and Two Smoking Barrels" and "Snatch," made his directing debut with the Daniel Craig starrer "Layer Cake."

Marvel Studios will likely finance "Thor" using its $500 million credit facility through Merrill Lynch. Marvel has used that fund to finance both Edward Norton starrer "The Incredible Hulk," which Universal releases June 13, and "Iron Man," the Robert Downey Jr. starrer that Paramount will open on May 2.

I think this is great. Vaughn is a really talented director and I think he'll do wonders with this.

 

[Ilikemuppets]

So the super hero craze of late continues, huh! I'm notcomplaining, though. It sounds pretty cool!

 

[Speed Tracer]

I think that Marvel has just recently re-learned how to treat its properties. The Incredible Hulk is shaping up to be something really great, as is Iron Man, and now, it seems, Thor. The Wolverine movie has a great director attached. Only things I'm not sure about are the Magneto movie, directed by David Goyer (urgh) and Spider-Man 4, no matter who directs it.

With Iron Man and now Thor, we're getting close to the reality of an Avengers movie. We just need a Captain America movie now... J.J. Abrams at the helm, anyone?

 

[Ilikemuppets]

As long as it's not Cat Women 2, I'm cool with it.

 

[Pork]

I'd be interested to see it, we used to have an old set of Marvel Cards and Whoever had Thor always won. um....anyway, Yeah, Thor Movie sounds great.

 

[muppetwriter]

I think that Marvel has just recently re-learned how to treat its properties. The Incredible Hulk is shaping up to be something really great, as is Iron Man, and now, it seems, Thor. The Wolverine movie has a great director attached. Only things I'm not sure about are the Magneto movie, directed by David Goyer (urgh) and Spider-Man 4, no matter who directs it.

With Iron Man and now Thor, we're getting close to the reality of an Avengers movie. We just need a Captain America movie now... J.J. Abrams at the helm, anyone?

Good Lord! If they got J.J. Abrams to direct a Captain America movie, I could die happy!

But you're right, Speed. With Marvel in control of its films now, things will start making more sense. I am really looking forward to both The Incredible Hulk and Iron Man next year. And hopefully Thor, too.

The Avengers are finally being assembled!

 

[Speed Tracer]

Oh, and my pick for Cap: Kiefer Sutherland.

No idea for Thor, though.