Marvel Cinema Update: Kenneth Branagh not coming back for ‘Thor 3’

Posted by Staff Reporter media@realtytoday.com ) on Jul 02, 2015 08:10 AM EDT

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Kevin Feige, Marvel Studios President, said that Kenneth Branagh will not direct "Thor 3: Ragnarok", according to Cinemablend.

In a recent discussion with Collider to promote "Ant-Man," Feige answered whether Kenneth Branagh will direct "Thor: Ragnarok". He answered, "Not true. I don't know where that came from."

Feige added, "Probably towards the end of the summer we would announce a filmmaker and a writer. May be the same person, I don't know, may be two different people."

Collider added that Joss Whedon has left and James Gunn is the only writer-director left working for the studio. Also, Marvel might be making a big announcement at the end of summer for the directors on Phase Three movies.

Rumors about Branagh directing the third installment in the Thor franchise when Umberto Gonzales, scoopmaster who founded Heroic Hollywood, heard that Marvel wanted Branagh back, as cited in Slash film. He said, "I was hearing that Marvel wanted Kenneth Branagh back for 'Thor 3′. But, he just got an offer to direct 'Murder on the Orient Express' at Fox. So, I don't know if it is going to happen or not. They're thinking about bringing him back into the fold."

In the previous article from The Hollywood Reporter, Branagh mentioned that he is willing to make another movie in Marvel. He said, "I'm pleased to say that I continue to have good relationships with all my Marvel family. It's a people game the movie game, and although these films are big articulated lorries, they still have to be driven by real people. I fondly remember good times working on 'Thor.' So you always look to repeat that kind of thing, and if it happened again, I'd be delighted."

Chris Hemsworth told The LA Times regarding Branagh's departure from "The Dark World", the actor was very disappointed.

In the meantime, Kenneth Branagh's next project will be "Murder On The Orient Express," as mentioned in Cinemablend. Gamesradar mentioned that "Thor: Ragnarok" will open in the US on November 3, 2017, with a UK date to be confirmed in a later announcement.