Marvel And Disney Setting ‘Thor 2′ For Summer 2013; Chris Hemsworth’s Back But Kenneth Branagh Won’t Return

UPDATE: Disney has set a July 26, 2013 release date for Thor 2.

EARLIER EXCLUSIVE: Marvel Studios, which is in production on the Joss Whedon-directed The Avengers, is making a full commitment to Thor 2, with Chris Hemsworth reprising his role as the title hero. Marvel will need to hire a director for that film because, I’ve learned, Kenneth Branagh won’t be returning as helmer. Branagh, who directed the first film and watched it gross $437 million worldwide with a few territories still playing out, will likely be involved in some producing capacity. His exit was “mutual and amicable,” I’m told. That means a big job is out there that a lot of directors and their agents will be chasing over the upcoming holiday.

Disney will today finalize a release date for Thor 2, which will be released sometime in the summer, 2013. Disney and Marvel have already slotted the Robert Downey Jr-starrer Iron Man 3 to open May 3, 2013. So figure that Thor 2 will come later in the summer. Developing…

Oh I loathed that film. FF:ROTSS had it's moments, but still did not work as a whole and I liked but didn't love Thor. I was hoping for a fresher take, along with the new director.

He was also one of the writers of Thor, so I think we're okay. Also, FF2 was astronomically better than the first one.

Brian Kirk in talks to direct 'Thor 2'

After tackling the fantasy genre with episodes of HBO's "Game of Thrones," helmer Brian Kirk is in early talks to direct "Thor 2" for Marvel Studios and Disney.

Pic would mark Kirk's directorial debut on a major Hollywood production, which has already been skedded for a July 26, 2013 release.

The project will bring back Chris Hemsworth's hammer-wielding superhero to the bigscreen for his next adventure after "The Avengers."

Kirk rose to the top of the list of directors vying for the job after he showed his abilities to juggle large ensembles of thesps and complex storylines in his TV projects, while also grounding the fantasy genre via his work on "Thrones." The "Thor" sequel is expected to feature a large cast of Aasgardians and creatures in the Norse mythology-set world.

In addition to "Thrones," the Irish helmer is best known for directing episodes of HBO's "Boardwalk Empire" as well as Showtime's "Dexter" and BBC's "Luther." He has also helmed episodes of yet-to-bow series "Luck" on HBO and "Great Expectations" on BBC.

Disney was eager to put the pic on its schedule after "Thor" collected $447 million at the worldwide box office, and the character proves a central figure in "The Avengers."

Although invited back to direct Hemsworth in another "Thor," Kenneth Branagh opted not to return.

Don Payne, who co-wrote "Thor," is tackling the sequel. He also scripted Fox's "Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer."

Production began last month on "Great Expectations," BBC's three-part adaptation of Charles Dickens' novel. Project, penned by Sarah Phelps, stars Ray Winstone, Gillian Anderson, Douglas Booth, Izzy Meikle-Small and Vanessa Kirby.

A number of other helmers had been considered for the "Thor" sequel, including Drew Goddard ("Cabin in the Woods"), James McTeigue ("Ninja Assassin"), Noam Murro ("300: Battle of Artemesia") and Breck Eisner ("The Crazies").

Other helmers are also being eyed should Kirk's deal not go through.

A Marvel Studios spokesperson declined to comment.

'Thor 2' plot details emerge

Thor and the rest of the Avengers may not appear on the big screen until summer 2012, but Marvel bosses are already well into planning the Norse legend's standalone sequel.

Chris Hemsworth will once again play the exiled Asgardian in Thor 2, due for release in 2013. The film will focus on the relationship between Thor and love interest on earth Jane Foster, played by Natalie Portman.

Marvel president Kevin Feige said: "Thor 2 will primarily be the journey of that character, of he and Jane Foster and how the new dynamic with his father is working out, as well as what are the broader stakes for the Nine Worlds."

It was reported earlier this year Kenneth Branagh, who directed the first Thor film, will not return to helm a sequel, with Brian Kirk (Luther, Boardwalk Empire, Game Of Thrones) and Monster director Patty Jenkins among the names​ rumoured to be taking over behind the scenes.

The Avengers will see Thor team up with fellow Marvel heroes Captain America, Hulk, Iron Man, Black Widow and Hawkeye to battle his nefarious stepbrother Loki.

The cast includes Chris Evans, Mark Ruffalo, Robert Downey Jr, Scarlett Johannson, Jeremy Renner, Tom Hiddleston and Samuel L Jackson, who will appear as S.H.I.E.L.D director Nick Fury.

It’s official: Patty Jenkins will direct Thor 2.

Marvel Studios confirmed rumors with the announcement that Jenkins, whose experience includes directing the movie Monster as well as episodes of AMC’s The Killing as well as Entourage and Arrested Development, will helm the second installment of the movie version of the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby character. Chris Helmsworth, Natalie Portman and Tom Hiddleston were also mentioned in the announcement, with all three returning for the movie, due for release November 15, 2013.

Disney has moved the release of Thor 2 from July 26, 2013, to Nov. 15, 2013, in a calendar shuffle that makes room for the studio’s big-budget Western The Lone Ranger. Phineas and Ferb now takes the sequel’s original spot on the schedule.

Monster writer/director Patty Jenkins is in talks to helm the Marvel film, reportedly edging out such contenders as Breck Eisner, Drew Goddard, James McTeigue and Noam Murro. Don Payne, who co-wrote the first film as well as Fantastic Four: Rise of the Silver Surfer, is tackling the screenplay for the sequel,

Starring once again Chris Hemsworth as the god of thunder, the film will, in the words of Marvel Studios President Kevin Feige, “primarily be the journey of that character, of he and Jane Foster (Natalie Portman) and how the new dynamic with his father (Odin, played by Anthony Hopkins) is working out, as well as what are the broader stakes for The Nine Worlds.”

Thor, which opened in May, has grossed $447 million worldwide.

He was also one of the writers of Thor, so I think we're okay. Also, FF2 was astronomically better than the first one.

Like diarrhea is better than bloody stool?