Natalie Portman Interview For The Blu-Ray & DVD Release Of ‘Thor’
Marvel presents the epic adventure, ‘Thor,’ which spans the Marvel Universe from present day Earth to the realm of Asgard. At the centre of the story is the mighty Thor (Chris Hemsworth), a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. Thor is cast down to Earth by his father Odin (Anthony Hopkins) and is forced to live among humans. It’s while here on Earth that Thor learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth. Kenneth Branagh directs this fantasy epic which stars Chris Hemsworth as the ancient Norse god, Tom Hiddleston as his chaotic brother Loki, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, a young woman who befriends Thor on Earth, and Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Thor’s father and king of Asgard. ‘Thor’ is available now on DVD and Blu-Ray in the US, and September 26th in the UK. Check out what Natalie Portman had to say about the film below.
What was it like stepping into something with such a huge fan base already ingrained?
Natalie Portman: I think one of the interesting things about the ’Thor’ comic books is that they were written over several decades, with several different writers and artists, so there’s very different stories, very different tones, very different artwork, very different places the characters go, very different depictions of the characters. The challenge, more for the writers than for us even, but for the writers and for Kenneth Branagh as the director, is finding one tone, choosing which of the stories to tell because obviously all of these are sagas that have gone on for decades and whether to include certain characters or add others, which details to keep and which details to spare. It’s great to play characters that people are so passionate about already, to enter this universe where people are so devoted to these characters, it’s really lucky.
What was it about ‘Thor’ that initially sparked your interest?
Natalie Portman: To be honest I wasn’t really a big comic book fan growing up, I did get more into graphic novels when I did ‘V for Vendetta.’ When I started work on ‘Thor’ I went back and started reading as many comics as I could. I got into this when I knew Kenneth Branagh was directing, I just thought it was such an amazing idea, to have someone like him doing this kind of movie, it seemed like such an interesting and unexpected combination. It was such an interesting project, Kenneth was at the centre of that.
How was it working alongside Chris Hemsworth in this breakout role for him?
Natalie Portman: Chris Hemsworth is just so wonderful, he’s such a talented actor, he really worked hard to create this character. Even though it was one of his first big parts he was so confident without every being cocky, just a really good person. It was very easy and fun to work with him. He’s not showy or show-offy in any way, but he’s able to walk into a room with Kenneth Branagh and act his pants off and not be intimidated, and is able to shoulder this responsibility of taking on this huge character with incredible grace. He has his feet firmly planted the ground, such a kind guy and just a decent human being. He’s universally nice to everyone, genuinely nice, very funny. I have no doubt that he’ll be a massive star. It was fun to watch him work.
You’ve said how Kenneth Branagh was a key component for you joining this film, how was it actually working with him?
Natalie Portman: Ken was amazing, he’s so smart and so funny. It was really special to get to see how seriously you could take the acting in a movie that a lot of other directors might not pay attention to, in what was going on in the scenes. It was great seeing how that affected the final product – when you put that much energy as a director into these very specific relationships between the characters. He is such an incredible actor and director for actors, it was a very different experience too, just having someone give such attention to character and performance on a movie of this scale. Ken is a master, an absolute master. With a movie of this size, it’s very easy to get lost in needing to do special effects, cover all of this action. People often forget characters, so never for one second did he let that go, he was ALWAYS focused on that. And then between scenes he would tell us great funny stories and interesting titbits and anecdotes. We’d always learn something on set.
For Thor, Jane Foster is sort of the bridge to Earth and humility.
Natalie Portman: Oh yeah, I definitely think that’s part of her role in ‘Thor.’ It sort of grounds him. He’s exiled to earth to learn humility, I think her earthiness is part of, hopefully, what transforms him. There are definitely changes in the character from the comic books, but that is certainly one of the things that has stayed.
Will Natalie Portman return for 'Thor 2'?
There was a lot of buzz this week that "Monster" and "The Killing" pilot director Patty Jenkins is the top candidate to direct "Thor 2." Marvel Studios has already dated the film for July 26, 2013 and while their may not be a completed screenplay yet (to public knowledge) that doesn't mean Marvel hasn't figured out the storyline. Marvel Studios president Kevin Fiege recently spoke to EW about it and had this to say about the sequel.
Fiege noted, "[This will] primarily be the journey of [Thor], of he and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and how the new dynamic with his father (Odin, aka Anthony Hopkins) is working out, as well as what are the broader stakes for The Nine Worlds."
The Nine worlds that were depicted in Kenneth Branagh's May blockbuster "Thor" included iAsgard (Thor's home), Migard (Earth) and Jotunheim (home of the Frost Giants). In the comic books, the other worlds included Alfheim (home of the light elves), Hel (land of the dead ruled by the gorgeous but complicated Hela), Muspelheim (home of demons), Nidavellir (home of the dwarves), Svartalfheim (home of the dark elves) and Vanaheim (home of the Vanir, a sister race of the Asgardians).
If Jane Foster is returning as Fiege mentioned one would assume that means recent Oscar winner Portman is as well. Marvel, however, is never afraid of recasting a role and if Portman wants to bow out they obviously realize the franchise would survive without her.