Having laid the groundwork and told the back story of its weird and wonderful characters in Phase One, Marvel is set to broaden its horizons in Phase Two, by exploring the outer limits of the comic-book universe.
Having already teased at a more cosmic approach with the brief introduction of Thanos, and with Guardians Of The Galaxy set to play out its intergalactic adventures in 2014, Thor: The Dark World looks set to follow suit by exploring the rest of the Nine Realms.
"The film promises to cover not just the Earth and Asgard," reports Russian site Kinopoisk , "but the entire Nine Realms. The studio hopes that Game Of Thrones director Alan Taylor has the experience to build upon the fantasy of the series.”
Those Nine Realms would be the other parts of the universe alluded to in the first movie, including Jotunheim, Svartalheim, Alfeim, Hel, Muspelheim, Nidavellir and Vanaheim. Plus Asgard and Earth, obviously.
It sounds like quite a lot to take on, although Taylor will probably cherry-pick a few from that list and leave the rest to a future instalment. Still, the increased scope is intriguing. Looks like we can expect plenty of new faces when the film opens on 8 November 2013.
