What a few weeks ago would have come across as the strangest coupling in a while, Playbill Online of all places provides confirmation that Kenneth Branagh is locked-in to direct The Mighty Thor for Marvel Studios.

Branagh had been attached to direct a 2009-bowing production of Hamlet starring Jude Law with the Donmar Warehouse in England, but "has had to step aside because of his commitments to the forthcoming feature film 'Thor' - a project he has recently undertaken". It was already reported that he was circling it, but he's full-on attached and in knee-deep. I've always been a great admirer of his 4-hour Hamlet and various other things Branagh's done (and just as often a detractor on things like Frankenstein), but this is the first time I've been outright fascinated by one of his upcoming projects. I'd love to see the script for this character that got this director attached.

I'd be very surprised to see him playing Thor himself, but his involvement could help attract A-list talent that'd otherwise scoff at the idea of playing Iron Man's pal who has a winged helmet. I'd personally love to see a grade-A talent like Kevin McKidd (TV's Rome and Journeyman) get a big break out of a part like this. Marvel may actually make this whole crossover/team thing work.