RAY STEVENSON: How a Gay Gangster on ‘Dexter’ Inspired A Norse God in ‘Thor’ (WALL STREET JOURNAL) By Alexandra Cheney

Isaac Sirko was a gay Ukrainian gangster who sacrificed his life for the man he loved. In the seventh season of “Dexter,” actor Ray Stevenson portrayed the mobster, in a role he called “not just being the villain of the week.”

“I didn’t try to lionize it or make it grandiose,” Stevenson said. “I think love is love and Isaac had a full deep meaningful relationship but he still had the propensity to be a stone cold killer.”

Stevenson said he borrowed some of that “tough alpha man” that defined Isaac to reprise his role as the warrior Volstagg in “Thor: The Dark World,” the sequel to the 2011 Marvel Entertainment film.

The film was shot on location outside London. Stevenson chatted with Speakeasy about his character, the health of Asgard, and who Thor, the God of Thunder, played by Chris Hemsworth, really is.

Speakeasy: Has Asgard lost its luster in “Thor: The Dark World”?

Ray Stevenson: In the first “Thor” Asgard had this tremendous peace among the 9 realms. They were riding at the heights. Everything is working and looking as it should be. In this one, the realms are being whipped up into various rebellions. There is a darker malignant force out there and we are in the process of engaging in long protracted skirmishes and battles. The luster and shine of the city has been taken off and it all leads to a huge assault, an attack at the heart of Asgard. It could be completely wiped out, the stakes are a lot higher.

And what do we see of Volstagg?

He’s great on a battlefield. He is one of the warriors three and doing what they do, their time is spent fighting on many different fronts. They’re not always fighting together. Volstagg is struggling, he has a brood, they are fighting for hearth and home as much as for the idea of Asgard itself. That’s where he has trouble.

What do you mean?

He’s all too aware of how potentially threatening this new enemy is on both the home front and the battlefield.

READ MORE: http://blogs.wsj.com/speakeasy/2013/05/22/how-a-gay-gangster-inspired-a-norse-god-in-thor/

Tom Hiddleston, Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman: First Poster For ‘Thor: The Dark World’ (FLICKS AND BITS)

With the film’s teaser trailer set for release on April 23rd, Marvel has debuted this first poster for ‘Thor: The Dark World.’ In the sequel, the likes of Chris Hemsworth, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Ray Stevenson, Kat Dennings, Jaimie Alexander, Tadanobu Asano, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston and Natalie Portman reprise their roles from the first film, while Zack Levi is confirmed to play Fandril, Christopher Eccleston will play the villainous Malekith The Accursed, and Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje will be playing Algrim the Strong and Kurse.

Set one year after ‘The Avengers,’ Thor battles to save all the Nine Realms from a mysterious enemy older than the universe itself. However, a primeval race led by Malekith, who is out for revenge, intends to descend the universe into darkness. Confronted by an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot overcome, Thor must reunite with Jane Foster and set out on a dangerous journey that will force him to make the ultimate sacrifice.

Alan Taylor, an accomplished TV director whose credits include ‘Game of Thrones,’ ‘Boardwalk Empire,’ ‘Mad Men,’ ‘The Sopranos’ and ‘Nurse Jackie,’ takes over directorial duties from Kenneth Branagh, who helmed the first ‘Thor’ film. Don Payne, who co-wrote the first film, penned the original draft with Robert Rodat doing the most recent polish. ‘Thor: The Dark World’ is set for a November 8th release. The official synopsis for ‘Thor: The Dark World’ can be read below.

Marvel’s “Thor: The Dark World” continues the big-screen adventures of Thor, the Mighty Avenger, as he battles to save Earth and all the Nine Realms from a shadowy enemy that predates the universe itself. In the aftermath of Marvel’s “Thor” and “Marvel’s The Avengers,” Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos…but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all

READ MORE: http://www.flicksandbits.com/2013/04/19/first-poster-for-thor-the-dark-world/45154/

Ray Stevenson - Thor: The Dark World features 'deep challenges' 20 March 2013 (CONTACT MUSIC)

Chris Hemsworth's titular Norse god will face ''deep challenges'' in the upcoming 'Thor' sequel, 'Thor: The Dark World', according to his co-star Ray Stevenson.

The actor - who is set to reprise his role as the titular character's trusty sidekick Volstagg in Marvel's mythical superhero movie - has revealed that the latest installment of the franchise will see Thor, played by Chris Hemsworth, face hardship as his home planet of Asgard comes under attack.

Speaking to BANG Showbiz at the London premiere of his new movie 'G.I. Joe: Retaliation' on Monday (18.03.13), he said: ''Basically, in 'Thor', Asgard's under attack. All the happy, shiny days are soon to be behind us.

''There's some deep, deep challenges to the universe and the nine realms.''

READ MORE: http://www.contactmusic.com/news/thor-the-dark-world-features-deep-challenges_3564614