Rene Russo returns to comic book adaptations, from ‘Sable’ to ‘Thor’
After twenty-two years, Rene Russo is coming back to properties based on comics.
She’s joining the cast of Marvel Entertainment’s film Thor, taking on the role of Thor and Loki’s mom, Frigga, the Queen of Asgard (Odin’s wife). Directed by Kenneth Branagh, the movie also stars Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, and Natalie Portman as Jane Foster.
Wait a minute– back to comics?
Yes, Rene Russo’s first acting job was in the 1987 ABC series, Sable, based on Jon Sable Freelance by Mike Grell, playing the role of Eden Kendall, complete with 80s hair. If you’ve never seen it before, well– why should we suffer alone? Take a look for yourself. First, here’s the credits:
Second, we have part one of the pilot.
After that, I’m amazed she came back, I wouldn’t think twenty-two years would be enough time away.
The comic series is much much better. But don’t take our word for it, you can read the latest series, Jon Sable Freelance: Ashes Of Eden, either online here or on sale now from IDW, or you can order the trades of the original series. They make wonderful Christmas presents.
I remember being so excited about one of my favorite comics coming to TV. Boy…what a let-down. Awful, awful, awful show. However, it did produce Renee Russo (yowza!) and a sound-bite that I've used on more than one occasion over the years…"Hotsie Totsie, here comes the Nazi!" Not a great line, I'll admit, but funny in a sad sort of way.
As I recall, ABC Standards and Practices would not allow gunplay at the 8PM Saturday night time slot.So Sable's gun was written in the series as…an unloaded prop! They came up with some lame justification. To add insult to injury, the gun wasn't a Mauser, either. Just another reason why the show was such a letdown for fans of the comic.The one actor who I thought would be perfect for the role, at that time, was William Petersen. Credible in action roles (coming off two really good movies, TO LIVE AND DIE IN LA and MANHUNTER) and with the right look: prematurely grey and the right height (around 5'10"). There's still potential in movies for this character…hope someone finally gets it right one of these days.
Yes, the show was a major letdown but Russo was just about perfect for Eden. Yowza, indeed.