Eccleston will play Malekith The Accursed, the ruler of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim, reports Hollywood Reporter. Casino Royale bad guy Mads Mikkelsen was previously linked to the role.

Directed by Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones), Thor: The Dark World is due for release in cinemas in November 2013.

Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Anthony Hopkins, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba and Rene Russo will all reprise their roles from the original movie.

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Watch the trailer for Christopher Eccleston’s recent BBC One drama series, Blackout…

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