Marvel Studios has announced that Portman will play nurse Jane Foster in the movie “Thor,” which is slated for release in May 2011. Foster was Thor’s first love in the early issues of the latest Marvel comic to be adapted for the big screen.

Here’s an excerpt from the article on Marvel.com News.

Portman will star opposite Chris Hemsworth who will play Thor and Tom Hiddleston who will play the villain Loki. Kenneth Branagh will direct the film.

Marvel Studios’ Kevin Feige will produce “Thor.” Principal photography for the film is set for early 2010. The film will be released in the US on May 20, 2011 and distributed by Paramount Pictures.

By the way, I’m not sure how true those persistent rumors were for the past few years that World Wrestling Entertainment pro wrestler Triple H was in the running for the role of Thor in the new movie, but obviously he won’t be playing the God of Thunder.