It was a hot afternoon when the festivities began, with vampires as just married “True Blood” stars Anna Pacquin, wearing an armored jacket Alexander McQueen, Stephen Moyer and braving the sun. Their popular HBO show has been closed this year, but overall HBO led the pack with a total of eight Emmy Awards, including wins for a luminously beautiful Claire Danes for “Temple Grandin,” a shaggy Al Pacino for “You” Do not Know Jack, “and Tom Hanks for the production of the mini-epic series” Pacific.

Making a splash on the red carpet were the men “Mad” beauties like Christina Hendricks has won in a lavender Zac Posen dress and plunging January Jones got a little crazy in peacock blue Versace, Jon Hamm and Bryan Batt, guys This outstanding drama series to win the show was beautiful, too elegant in a tuxedo. Hamm did a quick change in and joined Fallon, Betty White, Tina Fey, Kate Gosselin, Joel McHale, Nina Dobrev and “Glee” cast, including Jane Lynch, Chris Colfer, Cory Monteith, Riley and Amber Lea Michele for a great song and dance opening that set the tone for the rest of the show. It was fast, funny and full of laughter, like the rest of the show.

One of the funniest moments was when Edie Falco won for actress in a comedy series for her role in “Nurse Jackie.” “It’s the most ridiculous thing ever, ever happened!” She said with a grin. “I’m not funny.”

Jim Parsons won for lead actor in a comedy for “The Big Bang Theory” and a well-deserving Jane Lynch won the supporting actress in a comedy trophy for “Glee”. But “Modern Family” won the top prize, Outstanding Comedy Series. Other winners included “The Closer” star Kyra Sedgwick for actress in a drama series and Bryan Cranston, who won his third consecutive lead actor Drama Prize for his work in “Breaking Bad.” George Clooney was honored with Bob Hope Humanitarian Award, and he recalled that “people who really need the spotlight, Haitians, Sudanese, people of the Gulf Coast” should not be forgotten, even amid the celebrations entertainment .

After the show wrapped changing rapidly, the royalty of Hollywood implemented in all parts of the city. Not to be missed are the bash Entertainment Tonight, where each of the talented actors Christina Hendricks, Cheryl Hines, Peter Facinelli, and Sam Trammell in the reality-show star Kate Gosselin and Levi Johnston Cindi Lauper look warble through a set, bash Comedy Central in the colony, where Stephen Colbert was holding court, and the feast mass HBO at the Pacific Design Center, which has attracted everyone from Susan Sarandon, Julia Louis-Dreyfuss, Padma Lakshmi and Sharon Gless for the first time Emmy winner Aaron Paul’s “Breaking Bad” and Archie Panjabi as “The Good Wife”.

And the main buzz after party? This show at the 62nd Emmy Awards was one of the best to come along for years.

In an appearance Friday on NBC’s show “Tonight with Jay Leno,” the girl 19-year-old former Alaska Governor Sarah Palin says she learned about the invitation by the through a text message and signed in a week to appear on the new season starting September 20.

Leno asked if she had gone to her prom. Palin replied: “No, I was pregnant!”

This is the pregnancy of her place of honor at her mother’s campaign for vice-president in 2008. It was Tripp son this year, and recently she has canceled his reappointment Levi Johnston.

Palin said she and Johnston Leno should not be, and it focuses on being a mom.

Schimmel spokesman, Howard Bragman, said Friday night Schimmel died in a hospital in Phoenix.

Schimmel was a passenger on Aug. 26 in a car driven by her daughter 19-year-old Aliyah. Bragman said Aliyah Schimmel swerved to avoid another car and the vehicle she was driving rolled on the side of the highway. Bragman said that she was hospitalized in stable condition.

Robert Schimmel has lived in Scottsdale. The actor of 60 years has been a frequent guest on “Late Night with Conan O’Brien” and radio show of Howard Stern. His memoir of 2008, “Cancer $ 5 per day,” chronicles his fight against non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma.

Schimmel has starred in a sitcom Fox was resumed in 2000 but was canceled after learning he had cancer and chemotherapy was to begin immediately, according to its website.

The site says Schimmel, more recently, was a Showtime special called “Life since then” and was to integrate the experiences of his life with comedy, not only to make the audience laugh, but cancer awareness and hope.

The site also indicates that the actor has learned a lot about life, attitude and laughter “after his fight against cancer and the loss of a child. He also had two failed marriages.

Lady Gaga in “Alejandro”

Photo: Interscope Records

Ever since the premiere of Lady Gaga’s controversial video for “Alejandro,” news outlets and fans alike have been furiously debating the pros and cons, Gaga-as-Madonna imagery and, perhaps most of all, the religious symbolism.

“Alejandro” director Steven Klein told MTV News via e-mail that the religious symbolism is not meant to denote anything negative. “[It] represents the character’s battle between the dark forces of this world and the spiritual salvation of the Soul,” Klein wrote. “Thus at the end of the film, she chooses to be a nun, and the reason her mouth and eyes disappear is because she is withdrawing her senses from the world of evil and going inward towards prayer and contemplation.” Klein added that the scene in which Gaga ingests the rosary beads is meant to represent “the desire to take in the holy.”

The reaction to his statement by MTV News commenters — who were by and large overwhelmingly positive supporters of Gaga — has been mixed. Most praise the Lady for always pushing the envelope but found the religious elements of the video confusing and, in a few cases, too over-the-top.

Bill wrote, “Absolutely AMAZING video. So long as you leave behind all your prejudices and allow yourself to be immersed in the artistry and statements made, it should be easy to see why Gaga is at the top of the game. Absolutely brilliant work. Kudos to all involved in the production of this video!”

Drayke said the video was “a bit long, but overall I absolutely loved it. Both for its messages (some clear, some vague and open to much interpretation), its artsy ’20s feel, and the fact that for ONCE it’s the men who are paraded around like sexual objects (the heels are a perfect touch lol.) It’s sure to piss a lot of people off, but not just for the sake of it. The video challenges people’s notions about what is offensive and what’s just free expression and for that I think it’s a rare, important video. Good job Gaga!”

According to commenter Nick, “The biggest issue with this music video is its use of arcane and confusing visual elements,” he wrote. “Even though they are of a religious nature, it’s not so much that she is using them blasphemously, but rather the video doesn’t configure an argument about [how] the symbols should be perceived. Bottom line is that Gaga and Klein should have done better editing and constructed a better narrative so the idea that Gaga becomes pious and is fighting good and evil is as easy to understand [as], oh, let’s say the Pussywagon [featured in Gaga's "Telephone" video].”

Kyle wrote that while he “loves the Gaga,” her videos and her crossing lines, he had problems with several elements of the video: “The biggest problem was it tried way too hard to ‘make a point.’ I was watching LKL ['Larry King Live'] and she said this was a dedication to the gay community. Please tell how having stereotypical gay guys and her dry humping one of them is standing up for the gay community. Secondly, the religious thing is too much. I almost got sick when I saw her swallow the rosary and I’m not even practicing anything. Slow down Gaga. Truth is, she hasn’t even put out her sophomore album. What’s the first video going to be, blurred out sex? I like her music and I just don’t want to see her fizzle out, because she put it all out there without a natural progression.”

Derek Vickers took issue with his fellow commenters’ narrow-mindedness: “People need to open their minds and look past the obvious ‘sexuality’ in the video. I don’t doubt that she is trying to push limits and get people talking, but that’s not all she is doing! If you actually watch the video with a little openness, you’ll actually see what she and the video’s director are trying to relay. It’s an over-the-top representation of the battle that most all religious people go through on a daily basis. Who cares if it’s ‘over the top.’ It’s music, and it’s supposed to be artistic and eccentric. I really admire that she completely understands what it means to be an entertainer. She’s the only one in a long time to totally embody music and art as one.”

Do you think the imagery in Lady Gaga’s “Alejandro” video goes too far? Let us know in the comments.

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Lady Gaga’s ‘Alejandro’: Video’s Religious Imagery Gets Mixed Reactions From Fans via

Taylor Lautner, Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson in “Eclipse”

Photo: Summit Entertainment

Confirming what many have speculated for months, Summit Entertainment officially announced Thursday (June 10) that “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” will be released as two separate films. The first of the two films is scheduled to be released in theaters on November 18, 2011. The release date for the second film was not announced.

With one major question answered, a few others have been raised. Specifically, where will the filmmakers choose to end the first film and begin the second? Will either film jump on the increasingly popular 3-D bandwagon?

Academy Award winner Bill Condon has signed on to direct both films, and after negotiating their various contracts, all the main players will be back — Kristen Stewart, Robert Pattinson and Taylor Lautner, along with Billy Burke as Charlie Swan, Peter Facinelli, Elizabeth Reaser, Jackson Rathbone, Nikki Reed, Ashley Greene and Kellan Lutz — to finish the final chapter of the hugely popular franchise.

Screenwriter Melissa Rosenberg, who has written all the “Twilight” films thus far, is writing both parts of “Breaking Dawn.” Rosenberg promised fans earlier this year that despite the book having graphic scenes of childbirth and sex, “Breaking Dawn” will be rated PG-13.

“The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn” will start production in the fall. The third film in the series, “Eclipse,” is due in theaters on June 30, 2010.

What do you think of “Breaking Dawn” being separated into two films? Where should part one end and part two begin?

Check out everything we’ve got on “The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn.”

For breaking news, celebrity columns, humor and more — updated around the clock — visit MTVMoviesBlog.com.

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Fergie performs with the Black Eyed Peas at the World Cup Concert Thursday

Photo: Getty Images

On Thursday (June 10), many of the world’s biggest entertainers helped kick off what is arguably the world’s biggest sporting event, the 2010 FIFA World Cup, with a massive concert at Orlando Stadium in Johannesburg, South Africa. As the soccer/football competition pits nations against each other in the game, the concert highlighted Africa’s singular talent while setting the stage for some international collaborations.

A legion of dancers and drummers heralded South African trumpet legend Hugh Masekela, who opened the event with singer Lira. Following an address by FIFA president Sepp Blatter and South African president Jacob Zuma, the Black Eyed Peas rocked the stage. The Peas got the party started with their feel-good hit “Where Is the Love?” Fergie and Will.I.Am (who was decked out in a snappy sequined jacket with rope detail reminiscent of Michael Jackson) then led the thousands of concertgoers through “Pump It.”

Dancers in graphic print black-and-white bodysuits bounded onstage for the Peas speaker-rattling banger “Boom Boom Pow.” Will.I.Am donned a metal mask and Fergie rocked some wild long nails as the group charged though their international smash. Then the crew was flanked by dozens of dancers sporting colorful T-shirts and belts busting high-energy moves for “I Gotta Feeling,” bringing an African vibe to the Peas set.

Later in the show, John Legend joined Benin’s Angelique Kidjo for their cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up,” with Kidjo adding African lyrics to the duo’s revamp. Then Legend, looking prep-school suave in a pale blue jacket and slacks, took to the piano for his version of Harold Melvin and the Blue Notes’ call-to-action song, “Wake Up Everybody,” backed by the Soweto Gospel Choir. Legend then implored to the crowd, “Are you ready to go?” before finishing up with his up-tempo hit “Green Light.”

A spry Archbishop Desmond Tutu drew cheers from the crowd for his animated introduction of a video featuring activist and South African icon Nelson Mandela. The thousands of fans got into it when he shouted, “We are all African!”

Alicia Keys didn’t let her recently announced pregnancy stop her from rocking the stage in sky-high heels, as the singer came out to an amped-up version of “You Don’t Know My Name.” She then transitioned into “Try Sleeping With a Broken Heart” before retreating to her grand piano for an upbeat, syncopated rendition of “Fallin’.” The singer put her hometown on the world stage with her spare version of the mammoth New York City anthem “Empire State of Mind.” However, Keys switched it up for the occasion at the end of the song, belting, “When you’re in Africa …,” and swapping out “New York” for “World Cup.” Then, backed by South African folk-punk group Blk Jks, Keys launched into a heartfelt cover of “Too Late for Mama” by the late South African pop star Brenda Fassie.

Somali hip-hop artist K’Naan energized the crowd with his World Cup anthem “Wavin’ Flag” as the mass of concertgoers thrust their respective national flags in the air. Will.I.Am returned to the stage to join K’Naan, apparently siding with a legendary soccer team in lieu of being patriotic, and waved a Brazilian flag in the air.

Kicking off her set with “She Wolf,” Shakira brought her singular undulating skills to the stage, gyrating in a cut-out bodysuit and shaking her hips in a shredded skirt. She then went into her waist-swiveling smash “Hips Don’t Lie” flanked by several belly dancers and shouted out her native Colombia after an extended dance break. The star finished up with her buoyant official World Cup track “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” as confetti sprayed into the air.

Several international artists such as Amadou & Mariam, Vusi Mahlasela, and Vieux Farka Toure also performed.

The concert closed with an image of worldwide musical solidarity as Will.I.Am, Fergie, K’Naan, Shakira and others joined African artists like Angelique Kidjo and Tinariwen onstage to sing Sly and the Family Stone’s “Everyday People.” Fireworks streaked the sky as the stars signed off from Joburg.

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Black Eyed Peas, John Legend, Alicia Keys, More Light Up World Cup Concert via

Photo: Alexander Hassenstein/FIFA/Getty

Every four years, the international community comes together to decide which nation has the most dominant soccer team (or football team, provided that you live anywhere but the United States). The 2010 FIFA World Cup is upon us, and the first matches start in earnest on Friday.

Coincidentally, that’s also the day that will see the launch of the 2010 MTV World Cup of Rock tournament. Just as we did with our very popular Musical March Madness matchup, we’ve taken a huge sporting event and translated it to the music world. And once again, it’s up to you the readers to decide which country rocks hardest and best.

The 16 countries that qualified for the World Cup of Rock are grouped into four groups of four teams each. Play will begin on Friday with a matchup between the first two teams, and every day will see a different matchup. Once each team has played the others in its group, the two top seeds from each group will qualify for the bracketed tournament. From there, it’s single elimination until one nation is left standing.

Each country will be represented by a contingent of particular artists, but you should consider any group from that particular country eligible for play. The goal of the tournament is to decide just which country rocks hardest and best.

There will be one match every day, with the winners decided by your votes on the MTV Newsroom Blog. Tiebreakers will be decided by the most votes cast for each individual country, so vote for your favorite early and often.

Let’s meet the teams!

Group A

France: The French won the World Cup in 1998 and they have another strong chance to score big this year. In order to advance in the World Cup of Rock, they’ll have to rely on the likes of Phoenix, Daft Punk, Air and a bevy of better-than-you-think-they-are French hip-hop MCs.

Mexico: The Mexican team has everything: veteran leadership in Carlos Santana, youthful energy from Kinky and an air of big-game cool from Plastilina Mosh.

Nigeria: Powered by Afrobeat (first birthed by the late Fela Kuti and heard everywhere from Talking Heads to Kanye West), these plucky underdogs are capable of anything.

Uruguay: The small South American powerhouse has won two World Cups (including the very first one in 1930) and could be a surprising dark horse this time around. Their representation in the World Cup of Rock essentially consists of one person — Cobra Starship frontman Gabe Saporta — but he’s a pretty great guy to have on your front line.

Group B

England: The English do a few things exceptionally well, with soccer and rock just behind drinking and reality television. With Coldplay, Damon Albarn, Muse and Radiohead leading the way, it should be able to assert its dominance early and often.

South Africa: The host nation doesn’t have the strongest soccer team but it does have a solid batch of musical representatives, including arena hippie Dave Matthews, prog icon Manfred Mann and tongue-twisting rapper Jean Grae.

South Korea: Though it doesn’t have a great shot at the Cup, South Korea has a secret weapon in the World Cup of Rock: His name is Rain (a.k.a. MTV Movie Awards B, and he is a one man dynamo.

United States of America: Easily the favorite, considering that it basically invented rock and roll, and with any number of massive international superstars at its disposal — including the likes of Bruce Springsteen, Bon Jovi, Foo Fighters and 75 percent of Metallica — there’s no reason it shouldn’t run the table.

Group C

Brazil: The Brazilian soccer team has won more World Cups than any other nation, and they’ve done it with varied attacks and dynamic stars. Their World Cup of Rock contingent is similarly eclectic and flashy, with the likes of legendary psychedelic rockers Os Mutantes, manic dance troupe CSS and the savagery of Max Cavalera, the man responsible for Sepultura and Soulfly.

Germany: The three-time champions (and seven-time finalists) are one of the favorites to take home the World Cup, and their band contingent is lead by one of the strongest front lines in all of music: Tokio Hotel. But will goalkeeper David Hasselhoff be able to lead them to victory?

Japan: Unorthodoxy is definitely the order of the day for their musical representatives, with metal mavens Dir en Grey, pop sensation Utada, punk veterans Shonen Knife and sugary power poppers Puffy AmiYumi leading the way.

Spain: The perfect blend of past and future, the Spanish contingent has a powerful figurehead in Julio Iglesias (who actually played professional soccer before becoming a pop star) and bright young stars in Alejandro Sanz, Enrique Iglesias and David Bisbal.

Group D

Argentina: They’re one of the odds-on favorites to take home the Cup this year, but they are underdogs in the World Cup of Rock.

Australia: The soccer team is called the Socceroos, but the Rockaroos (clever, huh?) should bulldoze the competition with powerhouses like AC/DC, Wolfmother and Jet.

Denmark: Denmark’s soccer team plays a pretty loose game, and so do their rock bands. How do you prepare for Mew, the Raveonettes and Metallica drummer Lars Ulrich all at the same time?

Italy: Italy won the World Cup in 2006, besting France in one of the most memorable finals in history. Can a team of mostly hard-edged groups like Lacuna Coil and Starf—ers lead them to victory in the World Cup of Rock?

Remember, the matchups start on Friday at the
MTV Newsroom Blog. So enjoy all of the soccer action for the next month and get behind your favorite team in the World Cup of Rock.

The World Cup Of Rock: MTV News’ Global Challenge Begins Friday! via

Justin Bieber on the set of his “Somebody To Love” video

Photo: Island Def Jam / Popeater.com

In the past, Justin Bieber has merely teased fans with funky dance moves, but in the new video for his single “Somebody to Love,” the teen pop star really lets loose, showing off some impressive choreography.

The full-length clip premieres online Friday, according to Justin’s Twitter, but a sneak peek posted on PopEater.com shows Bieber and his mentor, Usher, trading moves. The remix of “Somebody to Love” promises to be a spectacle of dance. Directed by Dave Meyers (Britney Spears, Avril Lavigne) and choreographed by Jamaica, who has also worked on clips by Ciara and Usher, the video features scenes of Bieber dancing with a team of backup dancers in front of a green screen. In other scenes, he’s seen hanging out with Usher.

“It’s really awesome to be able to work with professional dancers, you know, people that were in, like, ABDC,” Bieber says in the video preview. Bieber also brags about getting the thumbs up from his choreographer: “She says that she’s proud of me.”

“He’s killing it!” Jamaica chimes in, adding that she hasn’t had to give the young star any corrections.

Instead of focusing on a love interest, as in past Bieber videos like “Baby,” Meyers wanted this video to be a little more playful.

“[We're] bringing Justin into the world of dance on this one, giving Justin the chance to integrate to different styles of dance,” Meyers says in the video. “So we kind of kept it simple with the art direction, just real graphic and really highlighting the dance. No big story lines, no crowds of people, just real clean.”

The tune (not to be confused with tracks of the same name by Leighton Meester or Jefferson Airplane) is a dance track that finds Justin professing his love for a girl, telling her he doesn’t need much else — just her.

“It’s basically about somebody to love,” Justin laughs. “It’s cool. It’s young. It’s nice. I think it’s like a universal record.”

Are you excited to really see Justin dance in his new video? Let us know in the comments!

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Shakira kicks off the 2010 World Cup in Johannesburg, South Africa on Thursday

Photo: Michelly Rall/Getty Images

It’s hard enough to get Americans pumped up to watch a bunch of other country’s teams play soccer, but one thing we can all agree on is that the crazy-quilt Pangaea of World Cup anthems is an amazing spectacle to behold. From Shakira’s Official FIFA World Cup song “Waka Waka (This Time for Africa)” to Russell Brand and Robbie Williams’ remake of England’s unofficial soccer song, “Three Lions,” there are a head-spinning array of choices when it comes to soccer soundtracks for the planet’s biggest sporting event.

Colombian hip-swiveler Shakira teamed up with South Africa’s Freshlyground for the tournament’s official song. The propulsive Afro-techno “Waka Waka” has the perfect mix of inspirational lyrics — “The pressure’s on, you feel it/ It’s time for Africa, your time to shine” — and a raise-the-roof vibe that you can picture pumping out of stereos from Johannesburg to Pittsburgh.

No slouch in the inspiration department, Mr. “I Believe I Can Fly” himself, R. Kelly, also cooked up an official FIFA World Cup anthem with a little ditty he calls “Sign of a Victory.” The collabo with the Soweto Spiritual Singers choir — who will perform the song with Kelly at Friday’s opening ceremonies — bubbles along on a syncopated, African percussion beat while Kelly sings, “I can feel the spirit of the nation/ And I can feel my wings riding the wind.” The choir backs him up with an uplifting, wordless chant under the chorus “That’s the sign of a victory.” He also manages to incorporate the phrases, “let the games begin,” “we can achieve anything, including the impossible,” “raise the flag” and “scream like you want to win.”

Somalian/Canadian rapper K’Naan also went the inspirational route with his official Coca-Cola anthem, “Wavin’ Flag,” which has the rising-up-from-oppression vibe of a classic Bob Marley tune. With assists from Will.I.Am and David Guetta, the soaring tune camouflages a song about poverty and oppression in a heart-stirring call to arms to let your banner fly.

Pepsi wasn’t about to get aced out of this action, so it recruited Akon and Keri Hilson to make a video with soccer stars Lionel Messi of Argentina and Ivory Coast’s Didier Drogba called “Oh Africa,” as part of the celebration of the continent’s first hosting duty for the global event. It also has the obligatory South African township jive stomp, and like the other songs, is as much about Africa’s spot in the sun as it is about sports.

And because there’s probably some rule about Bono having to participate in any globally unifying event, the U2 singer hooked up with Beninese singer Angelique Kidjo and John Legend for a thumping, Afro-pop cover of Curtis Mayfield’s “Move On Up.”

Another cover that was recorded as an unofficial English World Cup anthem is a banging remake of Tears for Fears’ “Shout” called “Shout for England,” laid down by U.K. rapper Dizzee Rascal and actor James Corden at the behest of former “American Idol” judge Simon Cowell. It has a thundering chorus that adds a thick acid-house beat to the original tune as Rascal spits lyrics to inspire England’s soccer stars to victory.

For no apparent reason, New York’s We Are Scientists have also offered up a song for England’s club, the appropriately named, “Goal! England,” a slice of T. Rex-inspired garage rock thunder that features the unforgettable lines, “Kicking the kicking the kicking the kicking the ball/ Kicking it into the goal/ Go, go, go, go go … England!”

Then there is the official FIFA Mascot song from Cuban-American rapper Pitbull, who hooked up with South African group TKZee and England’s Dario G to let the dogs out for the high NRG club banger “Game On.” Taking things a little less seriously is U.K. legend Robbie Williams, who formed “The Squad” with comedians Russell Brand, Daniel Baddiel and Frank Skinner to record a remake of England’s unofficial soccer song, “Three Lions.” The mash of opera, a soaring choir singing, “It’s coming home/ Football’s coming home,” a bouncy, Madness-like ska pop vibe and self-deprecating soccer-centric lyrics about England’s chances of regaining football glory make for a lovably comic mess.

Among the other acts on the FIFA-sanctioned soundtrack to the international soccer showdown, Listen Up!: The Official 2010 FIFA World Cup Album, are: Nneka (“Viva Africa”), Matisyahu featuring Nameless (“One Day”), Wyclef Jean, J Pre, Jazmine Sullivan and B. Howard (“Ke Nako”), and late South African opera singer Siphiwo Ntshebe (known as the “black Pavarotti”) featuring former South African president Nelson Mandela (“Hope”).

And of course, if none of these tunes provide the right kick, there’s always the unofficial World Cup Song contest, with nearly 400 entries. The top five is currently dominated by England, with Christian singer Gerry Asmus’ “It’s Our Game,” a flowery pop piffle about King George and English pride, holding down the top spot at press time.

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Chris Hemsworth

Photo: Entertainment Tonight

Hot on the heels of the release of the first official photo (and alleged concept art) from “Thor” comes a video report straight from the Santa Fe, New Mexico, set, courtesy of “Entertainment Tonight.”

The clip features a charming exchange between two of the film’s stars, Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Natalie Portman (Jane Foster): The duo discuss their chemistry and Hemsworth’s impressive build. Portman also expresses delight upon discovering that Hemsworth was on Australia’s version of “Dancing With the Stars.”

The topic of Hemsworth’s toughness and physique are played up in the video, along with a few brief action scenes. “He’s a god,” Portman says of her co-star, even alluding to his healthy, “big appetite.” Later, Portman pokes fun at herself with a fake teaser: “Chris and that little midget girl, starring in Thor!”

Director Kenneth Branagh praised Hemsworth’s dedication to the role, saying the actor worked himself into peak condition.

“He took seriously the challenge that had to be taken on by whoever was going to play Thor, to find this combination we wanted of a sort of Herculean strength, and gosh, he’s strong,” Branagh said. “We’ve had him doing all sorts of physical feats on it. Some of it’s practical — lifting people up, lifting two people up, and doing it for a long time over the course of a day. I sort of said, ‘Oh, you’ve got to get your shirt off. Do you mind?’ And he said, ‘Do I mind? I spent six months getting into shape for this! No, I don’t mind!’ ”

“It’s pretty exciting,” Hemsworth says in the clip when asked about stepping into the boots of the storied God of Thunder. “The whole thing is surreal.”

Check out everything we’ve got on “Thor.”

For breaking comic book movie news, columns and more — updated around the clock — visit SplashPage.MTV.com.

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