This is a good piece of news: Anthony Hopkins is now officially part of Kenneth Branagh's upcoming Marvel Studios adaptation "Thor." He joins Natalie Portman, Chris Hemsworth and Tom Hiddleston.

Variety says Hopkins plays Odin, father of Thor (Chris Hemsworth) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston). Portman will play Jane Foster, who became Thor's first love. Mark Protosevich and Zack Stentz wrote the script.

The film follows partially disabled medical student Dr. Donald Blake, who discovers his alter ego, the Norse warrior Thor. "Thor" is slated for release May 20, 2011.

The awesome Anthony Hopkins will soon be see in "The Wolfman." He recently wrapped Woody Allen's "You Will Meet a Tall Dark Stranger." Good news!

Here's your daily news dose for Feb. 12, 2009:

• Josh Brolin and Anthony Hopkins are set to star in Woody Allen's next film, which Variety says will shoot in London this summer. Of course, nothing is known about the film at this stage; Woody usually does a solid job at keeping everything secret. We'll keep you posted!

• Darren Bousman, director of "Saw," is set to helm "Akula," a heist thriller Paul W.S. Anderson will co-produce. Mark Distefano penned the script, which Alex Litvak is rewriting. According to Variety, the film is set on a submarine. That's all I know at this stage.

• Justin Marks has signed on to rewrite McG's "20,000 Leagues Under the Sea: Captain Nemo" for Walt Disney. Featuring characters from the Jules Verne novel and written by Bill Marsilli, the film focuses on Nemo's efforts to build the Nautilus, his advanced submarine. (Variety)

• John Malkovich has boarded Jimmy Hayward's "Jonah Hex," which also stars Josh Brolin and follows the adventures of Hex, a bounty hunter and gunslinger with a scarred face. According to Variety, Malkovich plays Turnbull, a Southern plantation owner who blames Hex for the death of his son.