Brian Kirk in talks to direct Thor sequel

With Kenneth Branagh deciding against return to direct Thor 2, and Marvel setting a July 2013 release date, it was only a matter of time before we starting hearing about a new director.

According to Variety Brian Kirk, best known for directing episodes of HBO’s Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire, as well as episodes of Dexter and Luther, is in talks to take on the sequel.

While Game of Thrones had 4 directors in charge of different episodes they were all excellent, and his work on the show is good preparation for Thor given its ensemble cast and fantasy elements. Kirk must have impressed Marvel (or was cheap enough) as other directors in contention were Drew Goddard (Cabin in the Woods), James McTeigue (V for Vendetta), Noam Murro (300: Battle of Artemesia) and Breck Eisner (The Crazies).

Don Payne, co-writer of the first film and one of the writers on Fantastic Four: Rise Of The Silver Surfer, has been hired to write the script and filming will likely begin early next year.