Natalie Portman, star of films like “Star Wars” and “V for Vendetta,” is confirmed to appear in the upcoming adaptation of the popular Marvel Comics comic book, “Thor.”

28-year-old Portman will join the cast as Jane Foster, the nurse and love interest of the title character, who Marvel Studios says will being modernized for the film version of “Thor.”

The comic follows a story line in which a Norse god is cast out of heaven because of his arrogance and forced to live amongst humans.

Chris Hemsworth, who recently appeared as the father of Captain Kirk in J.J. Abrams’ “Star Trek,” is anchoring the picture as Thor.

Shooting is scheduled to begin early next year and is due in theaters May 20, 2011.

Kenneth Branagh is directing.