News: Marvel, DC Updates | Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth Are Really Quite Charming Together

Natalie Portman and Chris Hemsworth Are Really Quite Charming Together

By TK | Posted Under Trade News | Comments (29)

Once again, there is much ruminating and speculating going on the world of comic book adaptations. In the interest of saving time, let’s round ‘em up.

First, the wild rumor du jour: That Christopher Nolan covets Joseph Gordon Levitt for the role of The Riddler in Batman 3, which, interestingly, has already shown up as dream casting by a number of our geeky brethren. Apparently, Nolan has a full-on jones for Gordon-Levitt after filming him in Inception, and wants to continue working with him. Of course, the rumor is based on a couple of jokes made by Gordon-Levitt is said to have made on the set of Inception. This comes from Hollywood Life, the gossip wing of Deadline and Movieline:

“Chris really dug Joseph [as an actor],” a source close to the director tells HollywoodLife.com exclusively. “There was a joke at first between them [on the set of Inception] that Joseph wanted to read for Batman 3 and things heated up as filming continued.”

Adds the insider, “It’s not 100% confirmed that he’s getting [the role of The Riddler] but there’s certainly talk about it. Joseph is definitely on the short list.” This should make fans happy, especially as several fan sites have expressed a wish to see the 500 Days of Summer cutie score the role!

Take that for what it’s worth (a rep for JGL has said the rumor is untrue). Also, if I ever start writing like that, I want you all to storm my home and tear me to pieces, leaving only a red, wet glop of bone and tissue.

Also (via Sci Fi Squad)regarding the third Batman film, which will once again star Christian Bale and Gary Oldman: The production start date has been set for March of 2011, in order to make the film’s proposed release date July 20th, 2012. It hurts my soul to have to wait another two goddamn years for another Batman, but such is life when you put it in the hands of the very capable Nolan. By the way? That’s the same summer that The Avengers comes out. The collective geekgasm will throw the world off its axis.

Moving onto Marvel Comics. The latest rumor from Bleeding Cool (who brought us the Jamie Bell as Spider-Man rumor that is steadily gaining traction) is that the villain for that same film has been chosen, and it’ll be… The Lizard. That’s an interesting one, considering his alter-ego, Dr. Curt Connors, showed up in the Raimi trilogy (as played by Dylan Baker). Given that this new film is going back to high school, it messes up the chronology a bit, though honestly no one but the comic fans will notice (or care). The Lizard is a solid villain, another science-gone-wrong character (like almost all Spider-Man villains), though I’m a little concerned that a character as vicious as him is going to be in the teen-ified Spider-Man. We’ll see how it pans out.

Finally, in the last tidbit is about Thor. Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, and Kenneth Brannagh were all interviewed in an “Entertainment Tonight” segment that showed a few glimpses of the sets and some minor footage. It’s not as annoying as some “ET” segments, so give it a watch:

A few thoughts:

1) Hemsworth looks pretty buff. Seriously, he’s enormous (which he and Portman — as well as Brannagh — joke about a bit).

2) I know it’s a fluff piece, but the rapport between him and Portman is pretty great, which bodes well. They also both seem to have a solid sense of humor.

3) I had no idea he was Australian. Also, no idea he was on “Dancing With the Stars.”

There’s not much more to take from that, other than with the hair and the beard, he really is looking the part. I know some of you will continue to bitch that Alexander Skrasrsg… Skarsgraa…Sarksg — whatever the fuck that meatsack from that crappy vampire show’s name is — didn’t get the part. But I’ve no problem with Hemsworth.

What I’m saying, basically, is shut it.

Happy Friday.

(h/t to Slashfilm for rounding up much of this info)

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Comments

TK....

Yes, if you ever start writing like that, I will have your ass run over by roller derby girls until there's nothing left but a flat TK pancake.

However, given that you bring news of Spidey, The Bat, and Thor (not my mostest favoritest ever, but que sera), I'll let the whole thing slide.

You're a ray of sunshine as always.

Posted by: Mr. Yuck at June 11, 2010 11:06 AM

And, for future reference, I refuse to watch ET. I have some small amount of shame left over.

First you start watching ET, next thing you know, you're making fun of Ron Dayne. What's next? Drowning babies in mom's apple pie? I think not.

Posted by: Mr. Yuck at June 11, 2010 11:09 AM

After Heath Ledger died, and Dark Knight came out, I was thinking that Joseph Gordon Levitt would be a perfect replacement Joker.

Posted by: MRod at June 11, 2010 11:10 AM

They are adorable together. Seriously. This makes me completely love her again after that whole "meat eaters are akin to rapists, but I still support Roman Polanski" thing.

And I know I was one of the biggest whiners about lack of Skarsgard, but this Hemsworth guy is incredibly charming. He's confident enough to admit to being on Dancing With the Stars and he turned an adorable shade of pink when Natalie mentioned how big he was. So, sorry Alex, but it seems like he's flourishing in the role. Also, dude is huge. I'm convinced his arms are the width of oaks. Awesome.

That video also makes me extremely excited for the ridiculous amount of press this movie is sure to get. If they keep being funny and charming, at least we'll get some cute soundbites, regardless of the end product.

Posted by: Kayanne at June 11, 2010 11:15 AM

At first I thought he asked, "Have you ever seen her rack?"
Which made me think, "Wow, lobotomized ET correspondent. Way to step a good ten feet outside the comfort zone and embrace the unapologetic envelope-pushing mentality of The Gaga and such."

But no, no one looks tremendously uncomfortable, even after Thor says, "Of course, first thing I saw."

Nevermind, you just keep going on with your half-assed questions and spirit-finger gestures. I guess people like that?

Posted by: Penelope at June 11, 2010 11:20 AM

I was extremely fond of Chris Hemsworth for those few mins he was in Star Trek. It amuses me that he was in Home and Away. And his little bro dates Miley Cyrus. Not that that matters but I have this useless knowledge so there it is.

Posted by: Carrie at June 11, 2010 11:20 AM

Hmm, not digging his Thor hair, but love her response to the Dancing with the Stars comment. Like..is he making that up? Aww.

This was very cute, but the interviewer is painful to watch.

Posted by: Carrie at June 11, 2010 11:28 AM

Oh man! Every time I decide I don't like Natalie Portman, she does something cute. I'm so glad that two romantic leads in a movie like this will have chemistry. It seems like most of the leads in actual romantic comedies don't seem to get along this well (Heigl....)

Posted by: Marcela at June 11, 2010 11:38 AM

Sorry, I'm not seeing the whole JGL as The Riddler bit. Seems that the Riddler should be a bit off. (But then again, I still have very fond memories of Frank Gorshin's turn as The Riddler in the old TV series.)

Then again, I wasn't too keen on Heath Ledger as The Joker until "The Dark Knight" so what do I know?

Posted by: UncleJR at June 11, 2010 12:10 PM

Kayanne That meat-eaters v. rapists comment really stuck in my grill until the Polanski business, and then I figured out what was going on. Clearly, rape is simply not a big deal to Portman. Therefore Roman Polanski and meat-eaters are both fine. It makes perfect sense.

Perfect. Yes.

Posted by: dsbs at June 11, 2010 12:29 PM

Ditto, Marcela! I kind of hate her until she makes me like her again with cuteness. Chris is looking pretty awesomely fine at the moment, not at all too pretty like I feared (cause he sure was pretty in Star Trek), and this is from someone who isn't really into blondes or beefy, muscular guys. Once again, he proves himself to be the better Hemsworth brother.

Posted by: Annie Kar at June 11, 2010 12:36 PM

I was onto JGL in the next Batman right after I saw him in 500 Days of Summer. He just looked like Ledger to me. And I liked him in that movie. Even though I thought he could take over as the Joker I can see him doing the Riddler too (if that is even a character in the movie).

Posted by: Dave at June 11, 2010 12:43 PM

OK, I have to say, that was utterly fucking charming.

That Hemsworth fellow has a good sense of humor about himself, which is one of the sexiest things you can have. Well, and the arms.

Posted by: MM at June 11, 2010 12:46 PM

Wow. She is totally eye-fucking him.
"You're Thor!".
I'll bet she is too from all that rubbing.

Posted by: Odnon. at June 11, 2010 12:51 PM

Alexander Skarsgård would have made a horrible Thor- he's tall, but waaay too lanky. Plus, I'd have to see him in something other that True Blood to see if he has the chops. I'm probably one of the few who doesn't like his rendition of Eric.

Posted by: logar at June 11, 2010 12:58 PM

Thanks Nolan! Thank for nothing. That fucking Joseph Levitt brings absolutely nothing to the table. Unless you think “Batman” suddenly needs the men that love to make love to other men demographic to survive.

Posted by: Pookie at June 11, 2010 1:02 PM

NOOOOO! IT HAS TO BE ALAN TUDYK OR IT'S WRONG! WROOOONG!

Posted by: ChristianH at June 11, 2010 1:18 PM

"Chris and that little midget girl in Thor!"

I love Natalie Portman...I wonder how big her security guys are.

Posted by: DeistBrawler at June 11, 2010 1:48 PM

dsbs Yep, perfect sense! *twitch* Totally perfect.

Posted by: Kayanne at June 11, 2010 2:02 PM

"Alexander Skarsgård would have made a horrible Thor. Plus, I'd have to see him in something other that True Blood to see if he has the chops"
You mean something other than the amazing Generation Kill?
That hair was just terrible, can't they give him some extentions or just let him have his normal hair? It's distracting me from an otherwise perfectly good looking tall buff blonde Aussie who can dance.

Posted by: Irina at June 11, 2010 3:48 PM

JGL as The Riddler just made me plotz. I cannot wait.

And that vid was surprisingly charming. I don't know this Hemsworth kid (except for his bit part in Star Trek), but I like him and think he probably deserves a better role than Thor.

Seriously, is this movie going to be any good at all?

Posted by: Jelinas at June 11, 2010 8:35 PM

I don't know shit about Thor so I don't know if Skarsgaard fits the bill but he is a talented dude. His shoulders are very talented too.

But that video was cute. I don't really get why Thor looks like he woke up in a ditch, but whatever.

Posted by: nigeltde at June 11, 2010 10:42 PM

The absolute only reason I will complain about Hemsworth being Thor is that looking at him in Star Trek, he is better casting for Captain America than Chris Evans is, and Skaarsgard could have pulled of Thor, so it would have been all good. That being said, I really loved him in Star Trek and it was like a 5 minute role. I think he's gonna do a great job, and his chemistry with Natalie is adorable.

Posted by: puppetDoug at June 13, 2010 3:25 PM