Harrumph. Despite rumors that Brian Blessed was in the running to play Odin in Kenneth Branagh's Thor movie, Variety has now announced that Anthony Hopkins in fact has the role. Frankly, I'm disappointed. Not that Anthony Hopkins is bad, of course, but Brian Blessed is so awesome -- and so perfect for Odin, at least in my mind -- that Hopkins is a letdown. Crap. Guess I'll go watch I, Claudius again.
Comments
Tonik said:
I actually think this is kinda awsome. But I'm perty fuggin drunk, so you should ignore me.
ZThat said. Briam Bleesed would've been way more awesome. Truly.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 10:28:16 AM
LAY said:
I can merits in either casting choice.
Our general concept of Viking Nordic badassery would fit Blessed's larger-than-life screen presence.
But Odin -- if I remember correctly -- was, relative to say Thor, a more mysterious and introspective badass-nordic-killing-machine... Cut out his eye and hung on the tree for ultimate knowledge or whatever.
I won't be concerned until Sean William Scott is cast as Loki.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 10:37:00 AM
Kevin said:
I actually like Hopkins over Blessed. Though Blessed would be a great Norse God in general, I see Odin as more venerable, slightly less girthy, leaner and craftier, etc.
Blessed almost looks too healthy, and would be better suited to playing Zeus than a more aged Norse All-father.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 10:44:05 AM
DoctorSmashy said:
I see no problem with this. Any role is better with Anthony Hopkins in it. Hell, most films would be better with him playing everybody (in a Malkovich, Malkovich kind of way).
I actually wanted him to play Zeus in the Clash of The Titans remake.
I - I don't love him or anything.
Honest.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 11:03:30 AM
willroy said:
i agree. plus while he does have the hieght, i don't think Blessed can go head to head with hopkins. Hopkins, to me, is too versitile, and he's go such an iconic voice that it's impossible not to get shivers down your back when he speaks........alright i'll just say it! I'm in love with ANTHONY HOPKINS!!!
Posted 10/30/2009 at 11:04:34 AM
Hmmm... said:
Blessed was so good as Augustus...he would have been an awesome choice for Odin, but I'm not going to complain about Anthony Hopkins getting the part.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 11:21:24 AM
Darth Mario said:
Prediction: Avengers tie in movie Thor will tank, TANK! at the boxoffice.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 11:32:49 AM
Kevin said:
You know what I just realized and kinda annoys me? This is the comic book Thor movie... not just a movie in general about Thor the Norse god.
I mean, I already knew this, but it just sunk in... and in the Thor comics, Thor (not Odin) is the King of Asgard... because Odin is dead.
I guess I've always had that problem with the Marvel Thor. Killing Odin in anything less than Armageddon, end of the worlds, fashion just rings so wrong for me.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 12:44:19 PM
zach said:
I'm all about this choice personally. Hopkins will be perfect for this role.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 12:50:26 PM
breklor said:
It carves the runes into its skin, or it gets the hammer again!
Posted 10/30/2009 at 01:21:42 PM
Stanley Ipkis said:
Oh, there have been worse news. Hopkins will do just fine. ;)
Posted 10/30/2009 at 02:50:50 PM
TED-209 said:
This movie already did poorly when they called it "Beowulf".
Posted 10/30/2009 at 03:12:13 PM
BorgQueen said:
So let’s run down a list of just some Sir Hopkins’ notable roles shall we:
Hannibal Lecter
Titus Andronicus
King Hrothgar
2 US Presidents
Pablo Picasso
Prof. Van Helsing
And now Odin, father of the Norse gods….
Survery SAYS….. badass
Posted 10/30/2009 at 05:09:34 PM
dragonmamma/naomi said:
I've had the hots for Brian Blessed since waay back when he played Lord Vultan in Flash Gordon. (Yeah, I'm that old.) Great thighs and an even greater voice.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 05:22:54 PM
Aaron said:
Hopkins in the perfect choice for any role. ANY ROLE! So there's no going wrong with this.
Side note: Not only could Hopkins act his way out of the paper bag, but he'd make you laugh and cry while doing it...then win a fucking Oscar for it.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 07:16:02 PM
demoncat said:
as much as i think it would have been interesting to see what Brian could do as Odin. Sir Athony adds a touch of regalness the role requires not to mention the wisdom the guy tries in his own way to give to Thor. besides Brian could always go for one of the wariors three or try out for another marvel film.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 07:31:15 PM
Bunny Fu said:
Brian Blessed should be Volstagg as part of the Warriors Three!! With Cary Elwes as Fandrall and Bruce Campbell as Hogun (and ditch the character's floppy mustache!)
Posted 10/30/2009 at 08:12:22 PM
cocacolaoso said:
@Bunny Fu: Love your casting choices! I agree with all of them.
Anthony Hopkins is a living legend, man! He would bring to the Odin character his infinite talent, his regal looks and that wonderful commanding voice of his while he puts that Thor brat in his place.
Posted 10/30/2009 at 10:39:38 PM
ZeroCorpse said:
You can never have enough Brian Blessed. I'm bummed.
However, that frees up Brian Blessed to do the voice-over work on a Mighty Hercules movie. It's simple: Cast a big, muscular wrestler type who has moderate acting skills but the perfect Hercules body, and then have Brian Blessed overdub all his lines for the entire film. Use CG to match up the mouth, if you have to. Viola! PERFECT Hercules.
Whenever I read Marvel's Hercules, I hear Blessed's voice in my head.
Posted 11/02/2009 at 09:53:43 AM
spazweez said:
"Hopkins is a letdown." How drunk did you have to be to type those four words? You need to slap yourself in the face. Hard. And don't stop until you realize just what you've done.
BTW, BEOWULF kind of rocked. Smart, literate script. Very cool action. Great voice acting from Ray Winstone, John Malkovich, and, oh hey, that Anthony Hopkins fella.
(As for the poor box office, I blame poor marketing and the inherent creepiness of Zemeckis's MoCap fetish. Naked Angelina Jolie = win. Naked MoCap Angelina Jolie = disturbing in the same manner as a ventriloquist's dummy come to life, except with boobs.)
@Bunny Fu: For your casting choices, you win everything ever, now and for always.
Posted 11/03/2009 at 08:21:01 PM






