Vaughn directs 'Thor'

Matthew Vaughn is set to bring comic book hero Thor to the big screen

Today is a big day for Matthew Vaughn – not only is his fantasy flick ‘Stardust’ hitting US screens, but Marvel have announced that Vaughn will take charge of their Thor movie later this year.

This won’t be the first time Vaughn has tackled a superhero franchise – he famously worked on 'X3' for several months before leaving the project for personal reasons – but the Thor script is apparently one of the best circulating Hollywood at the moment.

Written by Mark Protosevich (who also adapted the forthcoming 'I Am Legend') it tells tale of the Thunder God’s origin, kicking off with the creation of the universe, detailing Thor’s fractured relationship with his brother Loki, explaining the origin of his mystical hammer Mjolnir and following his banishment to earth where he takes it upon himself to protect us mortals.

No word on casting yet, though we’d like to see Heath Ledger, Viggo Mortensen, or saviour of English cricket Freddie Flintoff playing the blonde-tressed superhero. 'Thor' is set to shoot this winter for release in late 2008.

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