<Li> Idris Elba as Heimdall: The all - seeing, all - hearing Asgardian sentry of the bifröst bridge, based on the mythological deity of the same name . Elba said Branagh's involvement was a major incentive to take the role: "(Branagh) called me up personally and said,' I know this isn't a big role, but I would really love to see you play it .' It's Kenneth Branagh . I was like,' Definitely"'. About the role Elba remarked, "I did green screen for the first time! I wouldn't like to do a whole movie of green screen, though . You kind of forget the plot a little--like being in a Broadway play and doing it over and over and forgetting your line halfway through". Elba stated he has made a four - picture commitment with Marvel Studios . Elba's casting prompted a proposed boycott by the Council of Conservative Citizens and a debate amongst comic book fans, some insisting it was wrong for a black man to play a Nordic god . In response Elba called the debate "ridiculous". </Li> <Li> Kat Dennings as Darcy Lewis: A political science major who is Jane Foster's intern . Dennings described her character as Foster's "little helper gnome". Dennings stated that her role was expanded during the rehearsal process . Dennings explained, "She's kind of like a cute, clueless, little puppy or maybe a hamster . There wasn't much on the page for the Darcy role to begin with and I didn't even see a script before I took the job so I didn't really know who Darcy was at first . But she really evolved--she's so much fun now even . She's very Scooby - Doo if that makes sense . She's always three steps behind and reacting to what's happening with these great expressions...She gets things wrong and doesn't care ." </Li> <Li> Rene Russo as Frigga: The wife of Odin, queen of Asgard, mother of Thor and adoptive mother of Loki, based on the mythological deity of the same name . Russo stated in March 2011 interview that she has signed on for possible sequels, joking that, "Eventually they'll kick me out, so who knows how many I'll do". </Li> <Li> Anthony Hopkins as Odin: The ruler of Asgard, father of Thor, and adoptive father of Loki, based on the mythological deity of the same name . In an interview Hopkins stated he knew nothing of the comic . About the film he said, "It's a superhero movie, but with a bit of Shakespeare thrown in". Hopkins stated, "I'm very interested in that relationship between fathers and sons", and that, "My father's relationship with me was cold . He was a hot - blood character but to me, cold . When I was young, he expressed his disappointment because I was bad in school and all of that . He didn't mean any harm, but I felt I could never meet up to his expectations ." Hopkins expressed that he found a personal resonance in the Odin role, saying, "He's a stern man . He's a man with purpose . I play the god who banishes his son from the kingdom of Asgard because he screwed up . He's a hot - headed, temperamental young man...probably a chip off of the old block but I decide he's not really ready to rule the future kingdom, so I banish him . I'm harsh and my wife complains and I say,' That is why I'm king .' He's ruthless, take - it - or - leave - it . Women are much more forgiving; men are not so forgiving . I know in my life, my karma is,' If you don't like it, tough, move on .' And I move on . I'm a little like Odin myself". In May 2016, Mel Gibson stated he was approached about the role but "didn't do it". </Li>

Who played thor's mother in marvel films