Christopher Eccleston Will Target Asgard In 'Thor: The Dark World'

Briefly: There isn't a lot of info at this point, but it looks like Thor: The Dark World has a new bad guy to replace the departed Mads Mikkelsen. Christopher Eccleston, known for his films with Danny Boyle (Shallow Grave, 28 Days Later) and his stint as the ninth Doctor on Doctor Who, is in final talks to play the film's new baddie.

There's also some confirmation there, as Eccleston will be Malekith The Accursed, leader of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. The involvement of the Dark Elves was suspected thanks to the film's official title, and the statement a stuntman made not long ago. I've liked Eccleston a lot in some roles (he's great in all the aforementioned films; not so much in The Seeker: The Dark is Rising, as pictured above) and it's almost perfect that he's done mostly TV work since appearing in the first G.I. Joe film a few years ago. He might almost feel fresh showing up as a Dark Elf.

Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones) is directing the film. [THR]