Marvel Studios has found its love interest for “Thor,” tapping Natalie Portman to star opposite Chris Hemsworth in the comicbook pic.

Portman will play an updated version of the Jane Foster character, a nurse who becomes Thor’s first love. Her involvement in the pic had been rumored for months and had long been the main contender for the female lead.

“Thor” is Marvel’s stab at an epic fantasy adventure, spanning from present-day Earth to the realm of Asgard. The story centers on Thor, a powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless actions reignite an ancient war. As punishment, Thor is cast down to Earth and forced to live among humans but once here, he learns what it takes to be a true hero when the most dangerous villain of his world sends the darkest forces of Asgard to invade Earth.

“(Jane) is the human lead, so to speak, who helps ground the film in reality,” said Marvel’s Kevin Feige, who is producing. “We spend a lot of time amongst the other realms of the Nine Worlds of the Thor mythology and our human anchor to that.”

He added:

“We wanted to avoid that syndrome of just because the hair is up and they’re wearing glasses it means they’re smart. … We wanted somebody that can have the chemistry that the best of our Marvel couples have had, whether it’s Tobey (Maguire) and Kirsten (Dunst) or Tony (Stark) and Pepper (Potts).”

Chris Hemsworth is already cast as Thor. Tom Hiddleston is Loki, the god of mischief who serves as the movie’s villain.

Principal photography for the film is set for early 2010. The film will be released in the U.S. on May 20, 2011, distributed by Paramount Pictures.

[Source] Variety