“Rome” and “Journeyman” actor Kevin McKidd claims he’s still in the running to play Thor, the Norse God of Thunder, in the upcoming big-screen adaptation of the Marvel Comics character, according to a report by IGN.

McKidd recently told IGN that he’s a contender for the lead role and that there has been “a lot of back and forth” between various people about the project, but could confirm nothing else, but that nothing has been determined. He did mention Kenneth Branagh’s directing of the movie, which he supported fully.

Contrary to an earlier report from a year ago, McKidd did stress that he is up for Thor, and not a supporting role in the film as initially speculated.

Thor first premiered in Marvel Comics’ “Journey Into Mystery” in 1962. When the lame doctor Donald Blake struck his walking stick to the ground, he discovered that he became the god himself, sent to Earth to learn humility and compassion. A founding member of the superhero team the Avengers as well as the star of several of his own solo series, the Norse thunder god battles giants, demons, the machinations of his evil half-brother, the Norse trickster god Loki, and various other villains while defending his home of Valhalla and Earth.

“Thor” has a scheduled release date of July 16, 2010, and the character is also scheduled to appear in Marvel’s 2011 “Avengers” movie as well.

Stay tuned to Shockya.com for more on the Thor movie.

By Costa Koutsoutis, (Source: IGN.com)