Walt Disney Pictures and Marvel Studios have announced that they are moving forward on Thor 2, the sequel to the superhero blockbuster that hit theaters this past May, Thor, to a strong box office (budget: $150 million; worldwide gross: $437 million) and critical success (78% Fresh on Rotten Tomatoes).

The studios have set aside the July 26, 2013 date as their landing point, but, as always, that very easily could change and it could change multiple times over the next couple of years.

Nothing is known about where the sequel will pick up or what storyline it will follow, but it has been revealed that director Kenneth Branagh has decided not to return to helm the sequel. There was an option in the director’s contract to return if he chose to do so, but he ultimately chose to move on to something else and let a new director step in.

Branagh will, however, still be remaining involved as a producer on the project, and star Chris Hemsworth is expected to return.

[Source: Heat Vision]