The Wire’s Idris Elba Joins Marvel’s Thor

Published by Jeff Leins on November 20, 2009

Idris Elba is joining the cast of Marvel’s Thor, which is arguably becoming one of the best comic book ensembles ever.  Kenneth Branagh is directing the production, which starts photography in January 2010 for a May 20, 2011 release.

According to the THR, Elba is playing Heimdall, the guardian of the Norse god city of Asgard.  Look, someone has to watch the rainbow bridge of Bifrost and it might as well be him.

The rest of the cast includes Chris Hemsworth (Thor), Tom Hiddleston (Loki), Natalie Portman (Jane Foster), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), Jamie Alexander (Sif), Ray Stevenson (Volstagg), Stuart Townsend (Fandral), Tadanobu Asano (Hogun), Colm Feore, and Stellan Skarsgard.

Anyone who watched HBO’s brilliant series “The Wire” is pumping their fist in celebration right now.  Elba owned the role of Stringer Bell, a ruthless businessman and mid-level drug trafficker in the bloody streets of Baltimore. (By the way, if you haven’t seen Pajiba’s spoiler-filled 100 Greatest Quotes from The Wire video, sheeeeet you’re behind the game.)

Elba also showed up for a few seasons as the straight man on NBC’s “The Office” for anyone who’s missing out on Elba’s sinister turn.  Great actor.