August
10 Vaughn picks up "Thor's" uru hammer!

As "Stardust" opens in theaters today to good reviews, Marvel is closing the deal for director Matthew Vaughn to helm "Thor," based on the longrunning mythological superhero comicbook series.

Vaughn is working from a script by Mark Protosevich. Over at AICN, Harry Knowles raves about the script, which he says channels the great Jack Kirby, "Tales of Asgard" material from the 1960s. That means lots of Loki and no sign of Dr. Don Blake, the Thunder God's original "secret identity" in the earliest days of the book. Kirby's run on Thor, full of awesome spectacle like Frost Giants, the Rainbow Bridge and the majesty of Odin. A second run in the 1980s by Walter Simonson also is well-regarded by fans.

Again, this is Vaughn's second go at a Marvel movie after he was briefly attached to "X-Men 3." Vaughn's comicbook cred includes producing Neil Gaiman's directorial debut, "A Short Film About John Bolton," and the Gaiman-penned "Stardust."

Marvel will finance and produce this pic itself through a credit line established with Merrill Lynch. It would be the third self-produced pic from the company after "Iron Man" and "The Incredible Hulk," both set for release next spring. The company is looking to begin production this winter, before a possible strike.