Even more news is surfacing regarding Kenneth Branagh’s not-totally-official-yet directing of Marvel Studio’s “Thor” movie, tentatively scheduled for release in July of 2010.

Branagh, best known for his combination of film and stage work, as well as his film adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Henry V”, which he directed and starred in, has been rumored since this past September to be Marvel’s somewhat unusual choice for directing their big-screen adaptation of the Norse thunder god character. Theater news site Whatsonstage.com is now connecting Branagh to the project, They’re also announcing it as the reason that Branagh has withdrawn from directing Jude Law in a production of Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” next year, indicating that Branagh would be busy.

Thor first appeared in Marvel Comics in 1962 in “Journey Into Mystery”. The character was portrayed as the crippled doctor Donald Blake, who could strike his walking cane to the ground and transform into the god Thor, sent to Earth by his father Odin to learn about humanity and humility. Thor would battle various Marvel villains over time and even take his father’s place ruling the Norse gods, including his traitorous brother, the trickster god Loki, out to destroy his brother and take is place. The character recently returned in his third solo series in 2007.

Stay tuned to Toxic Shock for more.

By Costa Koutsoutis, source; (Comic Book Resources.com)