As you may have heard, since we told you about it, Patty Jenkins is no longer directing Thor 2. The fact that she was hired in the first place was a complete surprise, not because she’s a woman, but because she only had one feature film to her credit, and it was a low-budget drama about a female serial killer. Sure, it won Charlize Theron an Academy Award – and rightfully so – but it’s not usually the kind of production that gets you a $100 million blockbuster, especially eight years after the fact. Jenkins also directed the pilot episode of AMC’s acclaimed TV series The Killing, but that wasn’t exactly an action bonanza either. The fact that Jenkins is a woman was considered a point of pride, however, since it was the first time a female director had been given the reins of such a massive summer blockbuster. But she’s off the project now, and Thor star Natalie Portman – who is contractually obligated to appear in the sequel – is reportedly furious about that.
Hollywood Reporter’s sources indicate that Portman was actually considered retiring from acting, at least for a few years, but that Jenkins’ involvement in Thor 2 had reinvigorated her interest in the sequel. Portman reportedly lobbied for Jenkins to get the job in the first place, and was proud to be a part of the first female-driven Hollywood megablockbuster. Their sources vary on the matter of why Jenkins was ousted in the first place, stating that either Jenkins wasn’t being “decisive” enough in getting the film into production – even though it’s not due until November 2013 – forcing Marvel to seek another filmmaker to take her place, or that Marvel was giving her too many creative constraints.
Either way, Marvel is now looking for replacements from the set of Game of Thrones, and is considering both Alan Taylor and Daniel Minahan to take over for Jenkins. Yes, they’re men. However, Marvel Studios is reportedly trying to put Portman at ease by including her in the decision-making process.
It seems unlikely that Portman will depart Thor 2, given her contract, but at the same time we can’t help wondering what would happen if Mila Kunis replaced her. We’ve seen Black Swan, so we know it wouldn’t be pretty.
CraveOnline will be back with more Thor 2 news as we wait for the hammer to fall.
