Idris Elba Joins "Thor" Cast

By our guest blogger, Matt Jussim

Idris Elba ("The Wire," "The Office") is set to play Heimdall, the guardian of Asgard, in Kenneth Branagh's upcoming superhero adaptation "Thor" for Marvel Studios, reports Heat Vision.

According to Heat Vision: Heimdall "stands on the BiFrost Bridge ready to defend the city from intruders."

Elba joins an extensive cast that includes Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Jaimie Alexander, Colm Feore, Samuel L. Jackson, Stellan Skarsgard, Stuart Townsend and Ray Stevenson.

This is just more great news for fans of “Thor,” who are hoping this movie can catapult the hero into “Iron Man”-like stardom. Elba is a fantastic actor as he proved by playing Stringer Bell on “The Wire.” He showed ferocity and great range with that role, and has the ability to play a total badass. He is another welcome addition to the already great cast of this film.

Shooting kicks off mid-January in Manhattan Beach, California. The comic book adaptation will be released through Paramount Pictures on May 20, 2011.