If you enjoyed Marvel’s THOR movie, and we desperately hoping for a sequel, not to worry because you’re absolutely gonna get one. But if you were hoping the first movie’s director Kenneth Branagh would return along with the franchise star Chris Hemsworth, you might shed a tear today. Deadline is reporting the Disney has set a release date for THOR 2 which is July 26, 2013. Marvel Studios has announced that Hemsworth is returning to play the God of Thunder (no big shock there), however Branagh is no longer going to direct the sequel. THOR has grossed over $437 worldwide so far, and while Kenneth (or Ken as he likes to be called) might be involved in some sort of producing capacity, he will not be directing the second outing. Now the question is who will come aboard to helm this potentially huge franchise? With THOR being such a box office hit, and Hemsworth playing the character in Joss Whedon’s THE AVENGERS, Marvel wants to make sure fans aren’t let down. Branagh is leaving some pretty big shoes to fill, and a distinctive vision to match. Part of the Deadline report notes that his separation from the franchise was “mutual and amicable” – didn’t Marvel say the same thing about Edward Norton no longer being Hulk? Next up after THE AVENGERS for Marvel movies is IRON MAN 3, which is scheduled for May 3, 2013. Expect another big Marvel summer in 2013! Who do you think should take over the next installment for The God of Thunder? Tell us in the comments.
UPDATE: Apparently THOR 2 also has a writer. Deadline also broke that Marvel has hired Don Payne, who co-write the first movie, to handle the script for the sequel. They note Payne rewrote LOBO for Warner Bros, was one of the writers on FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, and perhaps a little less exciting is that his first scripting gig was the Uma Thurman box office bomb MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND. However, he’s also co-executive producer on THE SIMPSONS, which could mean a more-humorous screenplay. I’m betting Payne wishes he had some way to wipe MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND off his resume, but hey, ya gotta start somewhere.
Born and raised in Dallas, Mark has been a movie critic since 1994, with reviews featured in print, radio and National TV. In 2001 he started the Entertainment section of the Herorealm website, where he contributed film reviews and celebrity interviews until 2004. After three years of service there, he started Bigfanboy.com, which has become one of the Dallas film community's leading information websites. Bigfanboy hosts several movie screenings in the Texas area, and works closely with film and TV studios and promotional partners to host exciting events and contests. The site also features a variety of rare celebrity and filmmaker interviews, and Bigfanboy.com regularly covers the film festival circuit as well. In addition to Hollywood reporting, Mark has worked for many years as an advertising and sci-fi/comic book artist. Clients have included Lucasfilm Ltd., Topps Trading Cards, The Dallas Mavericks and The Dallas Stars. From 2002 until 2015 he managed the Dallas Comic Con, Sci-Fi Expo and Fan Days events in the DFW area. He currently catalogs rare comic books and movie memorabilia for Heritage Auctions, and runs the Dallas Comic Show conventions, but remains an avid moviegoer and cinema buff. 
Remember when the rumors came out about Jon Favreau not returnin’ to direct Iron Man 2?
Someone needs to step up & refuse to work on Thor 2 to get Kenneth Branagh back, or something…