The trades are reporting that Sir Anthony Hopkins is currently in negotiations to appear in Kenneth Branagh‘s adaptation of Marvel’s Thor. Hopkins would be playing the Norse god Odin, father of Thor, who exiles his son into the disabled body of a mortal doctor in order to teach him some useful virtues and humility in life. This news comes as a bit of a surprise as it was announced back in early June that Brian Blessed would be playing Odin.

The movie will tell the story of the cocky and spoiled hero whose lack of discipline re-ignites an ancient war, forcing Odin to banish him to the above-mentioned mortality without memory of his status as a god. While inhabiting this human body, he discovers his true identity and how to switch back and forth from the handicapped Dr. Donald Blake to the warrior Thor, God of Thunder. As with most comic book based movies, this is expected to be something of an origins story to set the character up for those who are not familiar with it. This is also necessary due to the fact that Thor will be part of the epic joining of superheroes in The Avengers, which will feature Iron Man, Hulk, and Captain America.

The movie will star Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek) as Thor; Tom Hiddleston as his brother and arch-nemesis, Loki; and Natalie Portman (V for Vendetta) in the female lead, Jane Foster. An appearance by Samuel L. Jackson as Nick Fury is also expected considering the 9-picture deal he signed a while back. Many other big names like Jessica Biel, Robert De Niro, and Jude Law have been rumored, but nothing has been confirmed of them.

Thor will be released on May 20, 2011.

[Source: THR]