Primary photography recently kicked off on the super hero sequel, with the casting for the primary villain revealed to the masses.
Thor: The Dark World will be mostly based on the Marvel graphic novel of the same name, in which Thor must go underground to fight the dark elves of Svartalfheim and their leader, Malekith the Accursed after they steal the Casket of Ancient Winters.
Initial rumors had Mads Mikkelsen in the role of the Dark Elf King, but now we’ve got word that Christopher Eccleston, whom most genre fans know for his single season role as the ninth Doctor, is in “final talks” for the role – meaning everything’s been done but actually signing on the dotted line.
The film is being produced mostly in and around London, with lots of underground locations being used to depict the realm of Svartalfheim.
On a related note, we have word from Rene Russo that her character, Frigga, will be used more in this second film than she was in the first where Thor’s mother was glossed over pretty handily – or perhaps Russo just thinks she should be, it’s hard to tell.
“You know, they cut [many of Frigga’s scenes from] the first film,” she said in an interview with Vulture, “But I think they’re going to need a good mom in the next film. Loki needs his mom. What the hell? I have a lot of compassion for him, but we might have to have a conversation about what he just did, [laughing] and I might have to have a chat with Thor. But I am so confused — is Thor my son or not? People have been telling me recently, ‘No, you’re not his mother.’ It’s all so confusing! I got to tell ya, it would be a little embarrassing if I don’t know. I need to read more about her.”
For clarification, in the original Norse mythology – and in the Thor comics- Frigga is indeed Odin’s wife, but Balder is her only child (and not by Odin). It’s just as complicated as any ancient family tree of gods and goddesses.
Thor: The Dark World his theaters on November 8th, 2013.
