Wednesday, July 22, 2009

Kevin Feige and Marvel: Part 1

MTV News was invited to sit down with Marvel President of Production Kevin Feige -- the man behind “Iron Man,” “The Incredible Hulk” and many other upcoming superhero films.

Here are the big revelations that Feige had about the much-anticipated flick “Thor”:

- The day MTV News visited, Kenneth Branagh was doing “Thor” tests just two buildings over. Particularly cool was that Los Angeles was experiencing a rare thunder and lightning storm that afternoon.

- “Thor” will be the first Marvel film to go beyond our world and into the cosmic side of the Marvel Universe. It will feature supernatural elements.

- He expressed concern over falling back on the “fish out of water” thing. Although Thor will be seen in modern times, Feige said they won’t have him doing goofy stuff with iPhones. Feige explained it as if a movie was made with Indiana Jones is modern times; he’d still be cool.

- Asked if Donald Blake is going to be in the film, Feige wasted no time in saying no.

- While “Thor” will play like a Marvel superhero movie, Feige said it will expand the audience’s definition of that. It’ll have him coming to Earth and dealing with other characters from his realm.

- Chris Hemsworth got the “Thor” gig because the Marvel execs couldn’t take their eyes off him. He put himself on tape again and again, came in and sat with Branagh, worked again with Branagh, then ultimately did a very late-in-the-process screen test. Feige compared Hemsworth to the first time they saw Hugh Jackman’s “Wolverine” screen test. Hemsworth is six-foot-four, and Feige said he’ll look exactly like Thor.

- Marvel is definitely looking to get into the 3D realm soon. Feige recently saw “Up,” loved it, and said that he’d be watching James Cameron’s “Avatar” closely. Although “Iron Man II” will not be 3D, it is a possibility for “Thor.”

- Feige said there is truth to the rumor that they’d like Natalie Portman to play the love interest. If the love interest in “Thor” is human, Feige said it would be Jane Foster.

- Feige compared Tom Hiddleston to a young Ian McKellan, in terms of looks and talent. He has bulked up substantially, and Feige said there’s something off-putting about him, in a Loki kind of way.

- Citing Magneto and Dr. Doom as evil characters who did great crossovers in the comics, Feige said he wants Loki to be that sort of character in the Marvel movies. He’ll be the super-villain that carries over, across multiple franchises.

Does any of this make you more excited for "Thor" or do you still have misgivings about the film adaptation of the Norse God of Thunder?

"Thor" hits theaters May 20, 2011.
More news to come! Catch ya' later!
Source: MTV News

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