Marvel is plucking talent from across the pond again in choosing Christopher Eccleston to play the big bad alongisde Tom Hiddleston in Thor: The Dark World.
Eccleston has been drafted to portray Malekith The Accursed in the Thor sequel, ruler of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim that have been rumored – and now obviously confirmed – to appear in the film. In the comics, Malekith clashes with Thor on more than one occasion and will certainly brawl with him on the big screen. He also struck a deal with Loki and came to Earth to wreak havoc, a plotline that could figure into the feature film with Jane Foster’s presence being confirmed.
Eccleston made his biggest splash stateside playing villainous Destro in G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra. He also walked in the dark side in NBC’s Heroes, and held a short single-season stint as none other than Dr. Who back in 2005.
Expected to return in Thor 2 are Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, Idris Elba as Heimdall, Stellan Skarsgard as Erik Selvig, Ray Stevenson as Volstagg, Jaimie Alexander as Sif, Tadanobu Asano as Hogun, and newcomer Zachary Levi as Fandral – previously played by Josh Dallas in Thor.
Thor: The Dark World, part of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe: Phase 2, will be directed by Alan Taylor and begin production within the next month. It won’t arrive in theaters until November 8, 2013, after Phase 2 kicks off with Iron Man 3 in May 2013.
Source: Deadline
