New ‘Thor’ Trailer Features Oscar Winner Natalie Portman

angchen

There was a time when the most highly acclaimed actor you could get to star in a movie based on a Marvel comic was Dolph Lundgren*. But now, as both the budgets and the respectability of "comic book movies" have increased, it's become standard practice for Academy Award winners and nominees to appear in them.

Currently, four out of the 20 Oscar nominees in the acting categories will be in a Marvel Comics film in the next two years. Best Actress nominees Natalie Portman and Jennifer Lawrence will appear in "Thor" and "X-Men: First Class" respectively this summer. And Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner, who are both up for Best Supporting Actor, will soon join "The Avengers" for a summer 2012 release. That doesn't even count Christian Bale, who will also soon be suiting up as DC Comics' Batman for a third time in "The Dark Knight Rises."

Take a look at Natalie Portman as the human love interest for the fallen Norse god in the exclusive new trailer for "Thor." Then keep reading to see why these award-worthy actors are choosing to take part in this new batch of big-screen adaptations.

Watch it in HD >>

Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures
Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth Marvel Studios/Paramount Pictures

So what drew Portman -- heavily favored to take home the gold for Best Actress -- to "Thor"? According to her, it was the opportunity to work with another Oscar nominated talent, director Kenneth Branagh, who received nods for both starring in and directing 1990's "Henry V." She told SuperHeroHype that the incongruity of the esteemed Shakespearean director doing a comic book film is what first grabbed her attention: "I was just like, 'Kenneth Branagh doing 'Thor' is super-weird. I've gotta do it.'"

Portman also said that she was able to help shape her character in the writing stage, making the role more appealing to her. She plays Jane Foster, a human astrophysicist who befriends Thor (played by Chris Hemsworth) after he is banished from the otherworldly realm called Asgard. She told the Los Angeles Times that the chance to play a woman who is a scientist was also a big draw for her. She said, "I know it sounds silly, but it is those little things that makes girls think it's possible. It doesn't give them a [role] model of 'Oh, I just have to dress cute in movies.'"

Portman is in good company in "Thor." It also stars Academy Award-winner Anthony Hopkins as Odin, the king of Asgard who exiles his son Thor to Earth. Adriana Barraza, a Best Supporting Actress nominee for "Babel" in 2006, also appears in the film.

Portman's fellow Best Actress nominee Jennifer Lawrence is also getting into the superhero business this summer with "X-Men: First Class," the prequel to the original trilogy. In some ways, the "X-Men" movies established the trend of acclaimed actors in comic book films, with noted English thespians Patrick Stewart and Ian McKellen in the lead roles and Anna Paquin -- who was only 11 when she won the Oscar for "The Piano -- as the young mutant, Rogue.

Watch the trailer for 'X-Men: First Class' >>

Mark Ruffalo and Jeremy Renner might be competing against each other for the Best Supporting Actor award this month, but later this spring they'll be working together on "The Avengers." They'll be joining former Oscar nominees Robert Downey Jr. and Samuel L. Jackson (not to mention four-time Golden Globe nominee Scarlett Johansson) in the movie that brings together Marvel's core team of superheroes. Ruffalo will play the Hulk, and Renner plays the master marksman, Hawkeye.

Of course, it doesn't always work out when actors follow award-winning performances with comic book adaptations. Halle Berry won the Oscar after the first "X-Men," and followed it with two more successful installments. But when she tried to go solo with "Catwoman," it was a critical and financial disaster. After winning for co-writing "Good Will Hunting," Ben Affleck had a string of flops, including when he played Marvel's blind vigilante "Daredevil." Josh Brolin was nominated in 2007 for "Milk," but last year's "Jonah Hex," based on a little-known Western series from DC Comics, was a complete box-office bomb.

Still, with the Oscar-quality talent both in front of and behind the camera, prospects for the upcoming slate of comic book adaptations look much brighter. "Thor" opens on May 6 of this year, with "X-Men: First Class" following on June 3. "The Avengers" is scheduled to open May 4, 2012.

See the latest photos from 'Thor' >>

*To be fair to 1989's "The Punisher," it did feature Oscar-winner Louis Gossett Jr.

  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next
  • Up next

Latest Stories

  • FIFA to seek legal advice on a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer

    FIFA will seek independent legal advice before holding an extraordinary council meeting by July 25 to make a decision on a Palestinian proposal to suspend Israel from international soccer because of the conflict with Hamas. FIFA president Gianni Infantino outlined the plan at the FIFA congress on Friday after representatives of the Palestinian and Israel football federations had a chance to speak in front of the 211 member associations. “FIFA will mandate as of now, independent legal expertise to analyze the three requests (from the Palestinian FA) and ensure the statutes of FIFA are applied in the right way,” Infantino said.

  • Cash takes blame after Rays lose track of mound visits and are forced to change pitchers in 9th

    Rays reliever Jason Adam was forced out of Thursday night's game at Fenway Park in the ninth inning when pitching coach Kyle Snyder headed to the mound with Tampa Bay out of visits. After a long delay, Erasmo Ramírez entered with two runners on and retired Romy González on a game-ending groundout to save a 7-5 victory over the Boston Red Sox.

  • The Dodgers' Shohei Ohtani bobblehead night was as packed as you'd expect

    We've finally discovered what will get Dodger fans to show up early.

  • Animated Documentary ‘Red Zone’ From ‘A House Made of Splinters’ Producer Adds Co-Producers, Cinephil Selling in Cannes (EXCLUSIVE)

    Jean-François Le Corre of Vivement Lundi!, a co-producer on Oscar-nominated “Flee,” and Marion Guth of a_BAHN have boarded the hybrid animated documentary “Red Zone,” from “Moon Man’s” Darya Bassel, the producer of Oscar-nominated “A House Made of Splinters.” Leading documentary sales agency Cinephil will be introducing the project to buyers at the Cannes Film Market. …

  • 1 person killed in crash, tanker fire on I-70 west of Denver

    One person was killed and portions of Interstate 70 were shut down for several hours Thursday afternoon west of C-470 following a crash and tanker fire.

  • A's vs. Astros Highlights

    Zack Gelof and the A's take on Cristian Javier and the Astros on May 16, 2024

  • Putin focuses on trade and cultural exchanges in Harbin, China, after reaffirming ties with Xi

    Russian President Vladimir Putin focused on trade and cultural exchanges Friday on his state visit to China that started with bonhomie in Beijing and a summit with China's leader Xi Jinping that deepened their “no-limits” partnership as both countries face rising tensions with the West. Putin will attend the China-Russia Expo in the northeastern city of Harbin and meet with students at Harbin Institute of Technology. Harbin, capital of China’s Heilongjiang province, was once home to many Russian expatriates and retains some of these historical ties in the city’s architecture, such as the central Saint Sophia Cathedral, a former Russian Orthodox church.

  • PEN America, facing criticism over its response to the Mideast war, gathers for annual gala

    NEW YORK (AP) — Like a political convention held amidst an intra-party rift, Thursday night's PEN America gala was a call for unity, dialogue and a renewed sense of mission at a time when PEN's priorities have been called into question. “Our assembly is disassembling,” PEN America CEO Suzanne Nossel acknowledged Thursday night. “People of good intention and staunch conviction are wracked by a wrenching conflict. We are haunted by destruction, death and suffering that has caused some to question

  • OUCH! Desi Lydic Tells Trump How 'Everyone' Around Him Really Feels

    "The Daily Show" correspondent hits the former president with a blunt reality check.

  • Body of 23-Year-Old Missing Hiker Found on Mills Glacier, Colo., 4 Days After Going Missing

    The body of Lucas Macaj was recovered on Thursday, May 16, after he was reported missing on Sunday, May 12

  • Say What?!? Lauren Boebert Gushes Over How 'Pretty' Trump Is When He Sleeps

    The Colorado lawmaker had a strange new observation about the former president.

  • Q4 2024 Advanced Drainage Systems Inc Earnings Call

    Q4 2024 Advanced Drainage Systems Inc Earnings Call

  • China factories get busy, but home prices tumble

    STORY: Figures out Friday (May 17) told two very different stories on China’s economy. The country’s factories seem to be getting busier. Industrial output grew 6.7% on the year in April. That was up on the month before, and beat analyst forecasts. It comes after earlier numbers showed exports returning to growth last month, and suggests a recovery is gathering pace for manufacturers. But it’s a very different outlook for the country’s ailing property sector. New home prices fell at their fastest pace in over nine years in April. They were down 0.6% on the month. That all comes despite Beijing’s efforts to revive the sector, which accounts for about a fifth of the economy. Recent media reports suggest officials could now require local governments to buy unsold homes in a bid to stabilize the market. The crisis in the sector dates back to 2021, when watchdogs started to crack down the massive debts racked up by some developers. A string of major property firms have since defaulted on their debts or gone under, leaving millions of homes unfinished or unsold. On Friday, a Hong Kong court adjourned a liquidation hearing for major developer Country Garden, giving it more time to show it’s making progress on restructuring efforts.

  • Four killed as severe thunderstorms sweep across Texas

    At least four people have been killed after severe thunderstorms hit southeastern Texas for the second time this month. The storms blew out windows in high-rise buildings, downed trees and knocked out power to nearly 900,000 homes and businesses in the Houston area. Mary Benton, chief of communications and senior adviser to the mayor, confirmed the four deaths.

  • Unveiling High Insider Ownership Growth Stocks On The ASX In May 2024

    As of May 2024, the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX) is experiencing a slight downturn, with nearly all sectors showing declines except for materials. This overall market sentiment highlights the importance of cautious investment strategies. In such times, stocks with high insider ownership can be particularly appealing as they often indicate a strong belief by management and major stakeholders in the company's future prospects, which could be crucial in navigating through current market...

  • Bus rider fatally shot amid spate of violence on L.A. Metro

    A Metro passenger was fatally shot on a bus Thursday afternoon in Commerce hours after Mayor Karen Bass ordered a 'surge' in law enforcement on the system's trains and buses.

  • John Legend Celebrates 'Beautiful' Son Miles on His 6th Birthday: 'So Smart, Loving'

    The singer and his wife Chrissy Teigen also share daughters Luna Simone, 8, Esti Maxine, 1, and son Wren Alexander, 10 months

  • Morning Bid: Markets ponders rate path, shares listless

    The cold harsh reality of the Federal Reserve likely keeping interest rates higher for longer to combat inflation has put a lid on the post-U.S. CPI exuberance, with the listless mood set to continue at European bourses. The final euro zone inflation reading for April headlines economic data on Friday and traders will hope the report will cement what has been known for a while: A rate cut from the European Central Bank (ECB) is on the way in June. ECB board member Isabel Schnabel said the central bank may lower rates in June, but should be cautious about further cuts in borrowing costs given uncertainty over the outlook, Japan's Nikkei newspaper reported.

  • Country diary: These formidable feral goats belong in these hills

    Dinorwig, Eryri: As I encounter a flock coming out of the woods, I’m reminded that this is their domain, not mine

  • Arizona woman, 3 North Koreans charged in 'staggering' fraud scheme that raised nearly $7M

    The scheme involved using identities of 60 Americans and impacted more than 300 U.S. companies, according to an indictment unsealed Thursday.