Branagh approached to take over 'Thor' helm

Kenneth Branagh has been approached to direct the big-screen debut of Marvel Comics hero 'Thor'.

It marks a major departure for the Belfast-born director-actor who hasn't helmed an action film before.

Currently grabbing rave reviews for his London stage performance in Anton Chekhov's 'Ivanov', Branagh is favourite for the 'Thor' job, a film which sees the god Thor dispatched to Earth by his father Odin to save mankind.