Thor: The Dark World (2013)

Pre-Production

After Thor earned solid box office numbers, Marvel Studios and Disney--predicting the brand would be further bolstered by The Avengers--decided to make a sequel. Marvel Studios already had Chris Hemsworth (Thor) and Tom Hiddleston (Loki) contracted to multi-picture deals. It was soon reported, though, that Thor director Kenneth Branagh would not return. It is widely believed he chose not to, but this rumor has not yet been confirmed.

For a replacement, indie director Patty Jenkins was hired. However, a few weeks later (in fall of 2011) she left the project. The reasons behind this are unclear and it is unknown whether there had been a conflict with Marvel Studios.

Marvel and Disney swiftly replaced Jenkins with Alan Taylor, who had recently helmed a hugely popular fantasy epic on television with his directing work on Game of Thrones. Over the following months, it was confirmed that most of the original film's cast would be returning, including Idris Elba (Heimdall)