After months of screen testing several actors for the lead role in the upcoming adaptation of Thor, Kenneth Branagh's recent comment that the casting decision was "extremely close" turned out to be true.
Deadline Hollywood Daily reports that newcomer Chris Hemsworth has landed the role. The Australian actor appeared in Star Trek as Captain Kirk's father and will be in the upcoming remake of Red Dawn. Hemsworth had not been mentioned as one of the actors testing for the part because he had only read for the part. Hemsworth's agent convinced Marvel CEO Kevin Feige to test him, which then convinced Branagh.
While Hemsworth definitely looks the role, the actor has another asset that could make a good comic book hero: he's Australian. Just ask Hugh Jackman (X-Men Origins: Wolverine) or Eric Bana (Hulk).