Stuart Townsend Leaves 'Thor'

Jan 10, 2010 - The Associated Press broke the news that Stuart Townsend has decided to leave Thor just days prior to the film's start of production. Townsend apparently left Thor over creative differences, according to the AP's source. Townsend was supposed to take on the role of an ally of Thor's, Fandral, in the big-budget action film directed by Kenneth Branagh and starring Chris Hemsworth in the title role.

The AP's sources say the role of Fandral will now by played by Joshua Dallas. If you don't recognize the name, don't feel left out. Dallas only has a few film credits under his belt, but he did just wrap work on Red Tails, George Lucas' film about the Tuskegee Airmen. Lucas wrote and executive produced Red Tails.

Townsend has experienced being replaced in a big budget production before. He was originally cast as Aragon in the Lord of the Rings trilogy, but was replaced by Viggo Mortensen right before filming started on the first film of the series.

Thor was originally scheduled to hit theaters on May 20, 2011 but has just been moved forward a few weeks to its new May 6th release date.