Marvel Has Found Their Thor and Loki! (updated)

According to Nikki Finke’s Deadline Hollywood Daily, Marvel has picked their god of thunder and it just happens to be Captain Kirk‘s daddy! Chris Hemsworth, most recently seen in the blockbuster Star Trek revamp from JJ Abrams playing James T Kirk‘s self-sacrificing father in the opening sequence of the film, has been tagged to play the Odinson, Thor, in the next film to come out of Marvel Studios, right after Iron Man 2.

Hemsworth is a well-known Australian actor who is on the cusp of making it big here in the states. Other than his new superhero gig, he’ll be appearing as the lead in the Red Dawn remake and Joss Whedon‘s upcoming horror flick, Cabin in the Woods.

To be directed by Kenneth Branagh, Thor tells the story of the mythical god of thunder, sent to Midgard (aka Earth) in human form to teach him humility. Eventually, the hero is needed again, presumably to thwart the plans of his half-brother Loki , who will be played by Tom Hiddleston (just announced today 5/18/09). This movie will eventually lead Thor to join forces with other heroes of the Marvel Universe (Iron Man, Hulk, Captain America) to create the Avengers (also due from Marvel in 2012).

These days, any news from the Marvel front has me all a-flutter since I discovered that they’ll be shooting all 4 of their upcoming films in my neck of the woods, Manhattan Beach, CA, at the Raleigh Studios there. Iron Man 2 is currently shooting there, but I have yet to hear or see one repulsor blast.

Thor hits theaters May 20, 2011.