'Thor' movie premiere: Chris Hemsworth, Kenneth Branagh, Kat Dennings enjoy the moment [Video]

"Thor" hasn't hit theaters yet, but star Chris Hemsworth and director Kenneth Branagh hit the El Capitan Theatre with gusto Monday night for the Hollywood premiere of the big-budget studio tentpole film that many are predicting will spawn a new franchise.

Paramount, the studio releasing the movie based on a Marvel comic book, pulled out all the stops, shutting down a portion of Hollywood Boulevard to accomodate the glut of stars -- among them Kat Dennings, who plays the goofy sidekick to Natalie Portman's character in the film -- who walked the "Thor" red carpet. A faux-gold throne was erected in front of the theater.

Click the pics above and below for a photo gallery of red carpet arrivals in Hollywood and Down Under.

Most of the "Thor" cast members said they were so swept up in the evening's festivities that they hadn't even paid mind to the possibility of a sequel.

"The moment you start thinking, 'What should I do with "Thor 2" or "[Thor] 3"?' I think it's over," Branagh said.

"Sometimes people talk about saving stuff for movies. I wouldn't do that. Put it all in the first one," he joked.

It also will take the film's producers a few months to absorb how "Thor" is received, Branagh said.

"And then I think it's during that time that I guess one would figure out whether Marvel is prepared to write the check and whether we're ready to write the stories."

Hemsworth, who stars as the Norse god in the movie, said that when he signed on to "Thor" he wasn't bothered by the possibility of being locked into a popular franchise for a number of years.

"For me, I was happy to get a job. I fell in amongst Anthony Hopkins and Kenneth Branagh and Natalie Portman and a film like this, it was a dream," he said. "It wasn't much hesitation. It was, 'Sign me up.' "

Dennings echoed that sentiment. "The thing is, it’s kind of the dream project, so if I'm needed in any sequels, I’d be more than happy to sign my life away."

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-- Amy Kaufman
Twitter.com/AmyKinLA

Photos, from top: Chris Hemsworth signs autographs at the premiere of "Thor" at the El Capitan Theatre; Rapper M.C. Hammer arrives at the premiere. Credits: Mario Anzuoni / Reuters; Gabriel Buoys / AFP/Getty Images

Comments

[Superfreak]

I really hope there is a sequel, because the first one looks amazing. Simple story, but the actors gave their respective characters extra depth. There were a couple of scenes where my eyes started to water, because I was so engrossed with what is happening...it's a fortunate thing that I was wearing 3D glasses the first time, so no one knew that I was on the verge of a full-blown cry-fest...and I am a man. Seriously, it was really good. One of the better comic book movies ever. If I have to select what this movie most resemble in tone, it would have to be Richard Donner's Superman Movie. BUt fortunately for Thor, unlike SUperman the movie, this one had lots of action from the flashback scene, the fight with frost giants, fight with an ice monster, fight with shield, fight with mortals, warriors three and sif vs the destroyer, shield vs the destroyer, thor vs the destroyer, thor vs Loki...there were quite a few action...which would leave you wanting more. So, please, give us one or two more sequel/s...it's really a good universe to explore further...Look, one of the most enduring story of the Thor myths is the story of RAGNAROK...what could be more EPIC, in a fantasy/comicbook setting, than the story about the end of everything? The Twilight of the Gods....