The far-fetched movie rumor of the day on Monday: That Robert De Niro is signed on to co-star in the blockbuster adaptation of the comic book “Thor.”
For starters, many of the lead roles for “Thor” have already been cast, including Chris Hemsworth as the hammer-swinging hero Thor and Natalie Portman as his love interest. The rumor must be taken with a hefty grain of salt. According to zap2it.com, it has been traced to an interview “Valkyrie” actor Matthias Schweighofer reportedly gave to GQ magazine’s German edition, that bastion of credible Hollywood news.
But if it somehow proves to be true, there’s no reason to mutter “paycheck” at De Niro. Celebrated as he is, the two-time Oscar winner would not be the first actor to appear in a big-screen comic book adaptation after winning an Academy Award. Consider the following list:
Jack Nicholson
Oscar winner: 1976 (“One Flew Over the Cuckoos Nest”), 1984 (“Terms of Endearment”)
Comic caper: “Batman” (1989)
Halle Berry
Oscar winner: 2002 (“Monster’s Ball”)
Comic caper: “X2” (2003), “Catwoman” (2004), “X-Men: The Last Stand” (2006)
Marlon Brando
Oscar winner: 1955 (“On the Waterfront”), 1973 (“The Godfather”)
Comic caper: “Superman” (1978)
Michael Caine
Oscar winner: 1987 (“Hannah and Her Sisters”), 2000 (“Cider House Rules”)
Comic caper: “Batman Begins” (2005), “The Dark Knight” (2008)
Jennifer Connelly
Oscar winner: 2002 (“A Beautiful Mind”)
Comic caper: “Hulk” (2003)
Christopher Walken
Oscar winner: 1978 (“The Deer Hunter”)
Comic caper: “Batman Returns” (1992)
