It’s not always worthwhile to jump on rumors like this, but the idea that Brad Pitt could be cast as The Mighty Thor in Marvel’s upcoming movie adaptation (due June 4, 2010) is too good an idea to be left alone. The word comes from Latino Review that Marvel is simply tossing the actor’s name around, though apparently the role hasn’t even been suggested, let alone offered, to Pitt.

Unfortunately, it’s hard to imagine that Pitt would be interested in playing a superhero. He’s still a big enough star and a talented enough actor that he might feel he’s above such a thing. However, if he wants to continue making great films like The Assassination of Jesse James by the Coward Robert Ford, which don’t make him much cash, he’s going to need some mainstream hits, and he could do much worse for a paycheck than wear a cape and helmet and fight evil as the Norse God of Thunder.

So, I’ve come up with five reasons for Pitt to grab Thor’s hammer. Hopefully he’ll find the list convincing.

1. Lucrative Franchise Potential - Without the security of more Ocean’s movies and the chance that your star power will wane (it’s happened to your friends and peers), now is the time to suit up for a comic book movie. It’s not like this would be that different from your only other recent hits, Troy and Mr. and Mrs. Smith, neither of which can be proven to have been successful because of you.

2. Everyone Should Try it Once - Yes, it’s the cool thing to do for actors of your generation. Your Fight Club costar Ed Norton is The Incredible Hulk, and your Less Than Zero costar Robert Downey Jr. (OK, you weren’t a star then, you only had a bit part) is Iron Man. Sure, your buddy George Clooney and your Troy costar Eric Bana might have some bad words to say about playing a superhero, and it’s easy to see how it didn’t work for either Ben Affleck or his wife. But with your clout, you could make the movie worthwhile. Surely you have the power to make sure there’s a good script and a good director on board (too bad your Snatch producer just quit the gig). You could probably (hopefully) even bring your girlfriend aboard to play Enchantress. Wouldn’t that be fun?
3. Do It For Your Kids - As Latino Review suggests, you’re probably going to want to make some movies that your children can watch, and what kid doesn’t want to see his or her dad play a superhero? Better to do something like Thor now than settle for some kind of awful male nanny part down the road.
4. It Will Actually Be Good - Superhero movies may be a dime a dozen, and none will ever be as good as any film directed by Terence Malick, or the Coens or Andrew Dominik or any of the other amazing filmmakers you’ve worked with, but as Iron Man has shown, they can be decent. And Marvel Studios is the company that’s making the best effort to produce quality comic book adaptations. Supposedly Mark Protosevich (I Am Legend) has delivered a good script, and Avi Arad is probably going to hire someone respectable to take the helm now that Vaughn is gone (perhaps you could convince David Fincher!).
5. You’re the Best Person for the Job - Don’t pass up the chance just because you might believe Marvel has a long list of actors who’d be good for Thor. Yes, they could hire any number of buff blonds, but there is nobody with the combination of looks, talent, charisma, intelligence or star power that you have. And like Downey has done with Iron Man, you can bring some of yourself to the character in order to make it fit more perfectly.