Natalie Portman has been cast to star with Australian actor Chris Hemsworth in Marvel's newest comic book feature, Thor according to The Hollywood Reporter. Hemsworth has the title role of Thor and Portman will play his love interest, Jane Foster. As the story goes Thor, the Norse god of thunder, is cast down to to Earth and must live amongst the humans as punishment for reigniting an ancient war. Once on Earth, Thor must defend the humans against the dark forces of Loki, the god of mischief (played by Tom Hiddleston).
A nurse in the original comic book story, Portman's character will be updated for the film to more of a doctor or scientist, presumably to give her a stronger personality. A strong character will help here since according to Marvel's Kevin Feige, who is producing, "(Jane) is the human lead, so to speak, who helps ground the the film in reality."
Kenneth Branagh will direct the film, which is scheduled to start filming in early 2010. The U.S. release is scheduled for May 20, 2011.
Source: Hollywood Reporter