Anthony Hopkins as Odin: The ruler of Asgard, father of Thor, and adoptive father of Loki, based on the mythological deity of the same name. In an interview Hopkins stated he knew nothing of the comic. About the film he said, "It 's a superhero movie, but with a bit of Shakespeare thrown in ''. Hopkins stated, "I 'm very interested in that relationship between fathers and sons '', and that, "My father 's relationship with me was cold. He was a hot - blood character but to me, cold. When I was young, he expressed his disappointment because I was bad in school and all of that. He did n't mean any harm, but I felt I could never meet up to his expectations. '' Hopkins expressed that he found a personal resonance in the Odin role, saying, "He 's a stern man. He 's a man with purpose. I play the god who banishes his son from the kingdom of Asgard because he screwed up. He 's a hot - headed, temperamental young man... probably a chip off of the old block but I decide he 's not really ready to rule the future kingdom, so I banish him. I 'm harsh and my wife complains and I say, ' That is why I 'm king. ' He 's ruthless, take - it - or - leave - it. Women are much more forgiving; men are not so forgiving. I know in my life, my karma is, ' If you do n't like it, tough, move on. ' And I move on. I 'm a little like Odin myself ''. In May 2016, Mel Gibson stated he was approached about the role but "did n't do it ''.
who plays thor's dad in the movie
Anthony Hopkins