Green Lantern & Thor Rumors

Two upcoming comic book movies that are shaping up are "Green Lantern" & "Thor" and over the last week two different reports (rumors), have come down the pike pointing to actors that may be in the running for the lead character in the two previously mentioned comic films. One of these seems more likely than the other, but either way I have the scoop for you below...

First up, Green Lantern. Hitfix is reporting that "The Hangover" star Bradley Cooper might play the green ring-toting superhero. If you are saying, "Who the hell is Bradley Cooper?," don't feel too bad, he's been primarily a supporting actor up till now. Cooper is most known for his douche-bag characters in films like Wedding Crashers and more recently in Yes Man.

Does this mean that Cooper has the job? Not really, Martin Campbell is known for doing alot of screen tests to make sure he has exhausted any options that are available and Bradley Cooper is one of many names that have been thrown around for the Green Lantern. Is Cooper right for the job? Instinct says no, but I was wrong about Heath Ledger as the Joker, so who knows. What I do know is Hal Jordan is very arrogant and a bit of a douche-bag, so Cooper could fit into the role nicely. What is for certain, Bradley Cooper would have to also show us a much more serious side of him and also be able to deliver on action. Those last two questions are pretty damn big in regards to creating a viable "Green Lantern" film.

In other "Green Lantern" news, Box Office Mojo has revealed that WB has decided to push the film from December 17th, 2010 to June 17th 2011. With no star attached it is not surprising in the least.

Now, on to Thor. IGN are reporting that unknown british television actor Tom Hiddleston could be the Norse God of Thunder, Thor. Director Kenneth Branagh said, "Tom Hiddleston is a great actor and he, amongst a number of others, has been part of the group we've spoken to and all that's still a work in progress." Hiddeleston co-stars with Branagh in a british TV movie series called Wallander that Branagh is also directing. Hiddleston as Thor makes absolutely no sense to me, but Kenneth Branagh is amazing and I reserve judgement based on his comments. About the "number of others" Branagh eluded to, none of them really jump out at me in the slighest. They include; Chris Hemsworth (Star Trek), Alexander Skarsgard (True Blood) and the long rumored Kevin McKidd (Rome). Out of these four candidates I'd pick McKidd hands down, but that is purely based off what I've seen him do on HBO's Rome and NBC's Journeyman.

Luckily for Branagh, there isn't a huge hurry. "Thor" wont officially starting shooting until January of next year. Today Marvel Studios announced via Empire Online, that we can expect casting news to break on Odin, Loki and the lead female role for "Thor" sometime within the month. Josh Harnett had been rumored for Loki and Natalie Portman for the unidentified female role, will see shortly if those rumors hold true. Marvel exec's also added that pre-production work on "Thor" is well under way. "Branagh’s here, we’re prepping, and he’s putting together some spectacular animatics already for our first action scene. We’re digging into the second and third now, and we are just embarking on a rewrite of the draft."

What say you? Is Bradley Cooper right for Hal Jordan? How about Tom Hiddelston as Thor? Strikeback...