With comic-book staple Thor set to hit the big screen in 2010, Marvel is set to exploit the property on TV as well. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Marvel Animation is developing and self-producing 26 half-hour episodes of a Thor cartoon series slated to debut in fall 2010. The show will begin airing shortly after the release of the live-action movie, which Kenneth Branagh may direct.
The animated Thor series will revolve around the Norse god of thunder as he defends the mythical realm of Asgard against an onslaught of fantastical villains. Supporting characters from the comic books include Balder the Brave, the Warriors Three and Thor’s evil, adopted brother, Loki the trickster.
Marvel plans to create an animated series for each of its movie properties. Currently in production are Iron Man: Armored Adventures, The Avengers: Earth’s Mightiest Heroes and Wolverine and the X-Men. Joe Johnston (The Wolfman, Jurassic Park III) was recently hired to direct The First Avenger: Captain America, and a number of Marvel’s greatest superheroes will come together in the live-action feature The Avengers.
