Marvel has confirmed that it's found the actress it wants to play Jane Foster in its upcoming movie of Thor. And it's Natalie Portman who's got the nod to appear in the film.

Already cast, of course, have been Chris Hemsworth as Thor, and Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Portman will play the character who became Thor's first love. We're told that her back story is going to be updated a little for the film itself, although no further details have thus far emerged.

The film is being directed by Kenneth Branagh, and it's set to go before the cameras at the start of next year. The release date for Thor has long been set at 20th May 2011, and with principal cast and crew now in place, we'd imagine things might go a little quiet in the world of Thor until set photos start emerged early in 2010.