14 DAY TRIAL // Kenneth Branagh directed the first “Thor” movie but didn’t come back for the second, saying he couldn’t possibly be ready for another blockbuster in the short time Marvel was willing to spare. Still, Branagh’s impact on the Marvel cinematic universe was huge, since he was the one who cast the two leads.
To put it simply, without him, there would be no Chris Hemsworth as Thor and Tom Hiddleston as Loki, especially since, as he reveals in a new interview with THR, Marvel boss Kevin Feige didn’t like them for the roles.
Feige wasn’t sure about two unknowns in iconic roles
Branagh has “Cinderella” out in theaters now, the latest live-animation movie from Disney. His comments about his experience with Marvel come as part of a longer interview in which he promotes “Cinderella,” which will probably be a huge hit, based on early indicators.
The actor / director speaks with the utmost respect of Feige and how he’s “a muller” when it comes to big decisions, which is to say, he likes to sleep on it until he calls the final shot.
However, Branagh recalls that the casting process for “Thor” wasn’t an easy one, because he was convinced Hemsworth and Hiddleston were ideal for the parts of half-brothers, while Feige had his doubts.
In the end, Branagh prevailed because Feige agreed to take this risk on two relatively unknown actors (in the sense that they weren’t popular with mainstream audiences, not in the sense that they hadn’t worked before).
“We made the call and it was lovely, but it takes a long time to do it. Working with Kevin is very, very enjoyable. I regard him as a very, very dear friend, [but] that process is very unusual,” Branagh explains.
A gamble that paid off wonderfully
Branagh’s “Thor” was received well by both audiences and critics, but it was criticized for getting the 3D treatment in post-production just to boost ticket prices, without adding much to the overall quality of the film.
Obviously, that wasn’t the director’s call, but the studio’s.
Branagh, for his part, has his very own place in the history of the comic book genre in film for giving the world the most beloved villain in the entire Marvel cinematic universe. Hemsworth as Thor might be a lot of things (incredibly handsome being at the top of that list), but it’s Loki who manages to shine onscreen whenever he’s given the chance.
In the second installment, “The Dark World,” Loki almost manages to steal Thor’s movie and make it his own. He’s got an even bigger fanbase than his brother and is rumored to get his own spinoff sometime in the following years.
Until then, Marvel bosses are said to be working out the details needed to increase Loki’s screentime in future films, both from the “Thor” and “The Avengers” franchises.
Feige must be saying a thank-you to Branagh in his prayers every time he goes to sleep, for championing for Hiddleston for the part.
