Anthony Hopkins to play Odin in Marvel's Thor

Multiple Oscar nominee and one time winner Anthony Hopkins has been cast as the Norse god Odin on Marvel Studios' big screen adaptation of Thor. Odin is the ruler of Asgard and the father of Thor and his evil brother Loki.

Few months ago, rumour that Brian Blessed was in talks to play this role. Now that Hopkins is onboard, he'll join fellow cast Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddlestone (Loki), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Jaimie Alexander (Sif), Stellan Skarsgard Colm Feore for an unnamed role. Kenneth Branagh will direct this movie.

The plot of the movie is Thor, god of thunder, is a powerful but arrogant whose reckless actions re-ignite an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans. Once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends dark forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

Thor will be featured in the live-action Avengers along with Iron Man and Captain America. The film has a scheduled release date of May 4, 2012.

Thor will start shooting in January 2010 for it's May 20, 2011 release date.