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Hemsworth and Portman are contracted to appear but Branagh will not be returning as director. Marvel have now announced a release date of July 26th 2013.

Not seen the first yet.

The first one was really good.  I thought Branagh did a really good job directing.

Patty Jenkins to direct... Press release:

QuoteMarvel Studios announced today that Patty Jenkins will direct THOR 2, which will be released in theatres on Friday, November 15, 2013. Chris Hemsworth and Natalie Portman will return to star in the film along with Tom Hiddleston. Marvel Studios' Kevin Feige will produce the sequel to this summer's blockbuster THOR, which has grossed over $448 million worldwide to date.

Patty Jenkins previously directed MONSTER starring Charlize Theron, who won an Academy Award® for her performance in the film. Jenkins, who received an Emmy nomination for directing the pilot of AMC's acclaimed series The Killing, has also directed episodes of Entourage and Arrested Development. Most recently, she directed "Pearl," one of the five short films that comprise Lifetime's original movie FIVE.

In addition to THOR 2, Marvel Studios is currently scheduled to release MARVEL'S THE AVENGERS on May 4, 2012, and IRON MAN 3 which is slated for release on May 3, 2013.

Jenkins is represented by CAA, Anonymous Content, and Alan Wertheimer.

I really liked Thor too. It will be interesting to see how these pan out post-Avengers. Let's assume that film works as well as it looks, it will surely change tone of the individual sequels.