Movie News

Idris Elba to Play Heimdall in Thor

November 20, 2009

Idris Elba has joined the cast of Marvel Studios' Thor, reports Heat Vision.

Elba will play Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard, who stands on the BiFrost Bridge ready to defend the city from intruders.

He joins a cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard, Stuart Townsend, Ray Stevenson and Tadanobu Asano.

To be directed by Kenneth Branagh, the comic book adaptation will be released by Paramount Pictures on May 20, 2011. Shooting will begin mid-January in Manhattan Beach, Calif.

Elba also stars in Warner Bros.' comic book adaptation The Losers, opening April 9.

COMMENTS (57)

Posted by:

Mark Bryant

November 20, 2009

Great cast this is shaping up to be.

Posted by:

Kino Hammer

November 20, 2009

I like this --- Heimdall was the very first mythological being with a "security guard" job --- of course, his was of deity-level responsibility, guarding Asgard.

Posted by:

jim

November 20, 2009

he's black. it's a norse mythology movie. doesn't work. affirmative action in the movie industry is funny

Posted by:

Justice Reigns

November 20, 2009

YES!!!!!! Perfect Casting!! This is going to be a great movie. Not just a great superhero movie, but a Fantastic Film. He is a GREAT ACTOR.
RACE HAS NOTHING TO DO WITH IT!

Posted by:

Justice Reigns

November 20, 2009

Also, Tadanobu Asano is Japanese. When a person is right for the role, and is a highly acclaimed actor, the race means nothing. It nice to see a well rounded cast.

Posted by:

November 20, 2009

Who cares if he's black? He's an excellent actor. Branagh is a really talented director, but he's an odd choice for a superhero movie. And Elba is another excellent addition to an already excellent cast.

I mean, in case you don't remember, Nick Fury WAS white in the original comic books...the Ultimates as a reworking of established continuity.

Posted by:

soot

November 20, 2009

Haha, this is funny, this cast was too perfect and suddenly they make an outlandish casting decision.

I don't care if Nick Fury is now Black, this is derived from Norse mythology. This is really gonna take me out of the movie.

Posted by:

joe asylo

November 20, 2009

boy this film is gonna be something.

Posted by:

bubacino

November 20, 2009

Good to hear...he was great as Stringer Bell. I always thought Idris Elba would make a perfect War Machine.

Posted by:

Rob

November 20, 2009

Honestly, it is a bit strange far as casting goes, but Idris Elba is a great actor, so if they felt like they HAD to have someone black in the role, I can see why they would go with him. I would be interested in hearing what made Kenneth decide to go in this direction with the character though.