Hammer Time

21 Jul, 2011 By: Fred Topel

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‘Thor’ Filmmakers Preview extras for the Blu-ray and DVD

Marvel Studios kicked off the 2011 summer movie season with the cinematic debut of one of its integral characters. Thor is a prince from the realm of Asgard, often mistaken for a god by the likes of the Norse. In the film he comes to Earth, as he does in the comic book, and saves the day using his mythical hammer, Mjölnir.

When fans get their hands on Paramount’s DVD and Blu-ray versions of Thor starting Sept. 13, they’ll have plenty of extras with which to play.

“There’s a wealth of material,” says Marvel Studios chief Kevin Feige.

The Blu-ray will include commentary from director Kenneth Branagh and 80 minutes of immersive bonus materials, including 11 deleted scenes and seven making-of featurettes.

One of those deleted scenes includes a cameo from screenwriter Don Payne. Branagh explained why he had to cut Payne out of the theatrical release.

“Don Payne is sensational in that scene,” Branagh says. “It was coming in for an important moment and it worked very well, but it had to go because of pacing.”

Even Feige regretted to see Payne’s scene go.

“He’s being humble calling it a cameo,” Feige says. “It was [stars] Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston and Don Payne. That was the scene.”

Payne appreciated his good notes and looks forward to fans seeing his scene.

“I was honored to do it,” Payne says. “Then when I saw the screening in the dailies it’s like, ‘Oh, he wanted a fat, ridiculous Friar Tuck. That’s what he wanted,’ and there it is.”

The next live-action appearance of Thor comes in next summer’s The Avengers, directed by Joss Whedon. The Thor home video also includes a sneak peek at The Avengers with an exclusive featurette that delves deeper into the Marvel Universe.

The Thor DVD and Blu-ray will be available Sept. 13 (order date Aug. 1) as a three-disc 3D/Blu-ray/DVD combo pack (price TBA), a Blu-ray/DVD combo pack ($39.99) and DVD ($29.99) from Paramount Home Entertainment.

The DVD includes the commentary, four deleted scenes and the Avengers featurette.

 

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