The casting for the upcoming film adapation of Thor seems to be coming along well. When paying a vist to MTV Studios, movie director Kenneth Branagh was asked about the casting of the title.

“We’re down to the final stages of it,” Branagh said. “The reason one has to be properly diplomatic, is simply that some talented peopled have been patient, kind, creative and really committed to working with us in this process.”

He added that, “My reluctance to say anything about it is simply out of respect for people who have been extremely respectful of us. That said, I think we are extremely close and I hope to announce a decision sooner rather than later.”

Marvel Studios are targeting for a May 20, 2011 release for the film.

[Thor Casting is in the Final Stages via SuperHeroHype]

The sequel’s development, with the team taking apart every system in the game to figure out ways to amplify its component parts. This means more enemies onscreen at once, an approach to cover that will hopefully be more dynamic and exciting, and presumably, gorier chainsaw kills…."

"… the Gears team was disappointed by the apparent randomness of the chainsaw-bayonet’s mechanic in the first game. Their solution (and the means by which Gears 2 ‘s combat will live up to the team’s macho maxim): chainsaw duels, as illustrated in the latest teaser video. It’s like Star Wars ‘ lightsabers as interpreted by the WWE after a six pack of Mountain Dew Code Red…"

"……the team is aiming to deliver the experience of large-scale conflict that was absent in the original Gears . "It never really felt like a giant war," he said. "It always felt like sort of a spy incursion, sneaking behind enemy lines." According to him, the technology is now able to deliver on that vision in a big way. No more smoke and mirrors to separate players from the bigger conflict, no more small-squad warfare, and no slower deliberate pacing compared to the more fast-paced shooters out there. Capps, in short, "[wants his] D-Day." It’ll be interesting to see if his team can transform Gears into a platform for that sort of experience."

"….But you get the distinct impression nonetheless that the brains behind Gears feel that they’ve distilled "fun" into something quantifiable, and thus possible to replicate. "It ought to be illegal, really," said Capps. "We’ve manufactured fun like Doritos manufactures that powdered stuff that tastes good, even though it’s not actually food." Which begs the question: if Gears of War is Doritos, which game is the shooter analogue to those all-natural pork rinds that are fried in lard?"