Following up on the recent news that Thor will start shooting in January, we’ve also caught wind of some casting additions. Tonight we’ve learned that Ray Stevenson (Rome, Punisher:Warzone), Tadanobu Asano (Ichi the Killer, Mongol), and Stuart Townsend (The League of Extraordinary Gentleman) have joined the project as “The Warriors Three”, a group of Asgardian badasses who fight alongside Thor. They’ll be joining the likes of Chris Hemsworth (as Thor), Anthony Hopkins (Odin), and Natalie Portman.

While Hemsworth didn’t seem like inspired casting for the film, I’ve been intrigued by all the other casting choices director Kenneth Branagh has made. Now I just wished that Stevenson’s Rome compatriot Kevin McKidd landed the role of Thor so we could get something resembling the further adventures of Vorenus and Pullo (with the welcome addition of the whole Norse god business).

Apparently, Stevenson will take on the role of “Volstagg the Valiant”, Asano will be “Hogun the Grim”, and Townsend will portray “Fandral the Dashing”. The characters are Marvel creations, and not based on Norse mythology. Looking at the picture above, it shouldn’t be too hard to figure out which characters fit the actors. I just hope they don’t go overboard on the giant gut thing for Stevenson.

I can’t say much regarding Townsend, having thankfully forgotten most everything I saw in LXG and Queen of the Damned, but I can confirm that the addition of Stevenson and Asano is downright inspired. Stevenson kicked untold amounts of ass in Rome and Punisher: Warzone, and he’s simply perfect for the role of a beefy fighter. Asano has been a favorite of mine since Ichi: The Killer and Takeshi Kitano’s recent Zatoichi, and I’m hoping this role serves to further his presence in America as he completes the Mongol trilogy.

Discuss: What do you think of this casting? If you’re a fan of the comics, do you think the choices seem appropriate? Is there anyone else you would have liked cast for The Warriors Three?

[Source: Variety via Collider]