'Monster' director Jenkins takes on 'Thor 2'

[October 14, 2011]  LOS ANGELES (AP) -- Hollywood has signed up its first female director for a major superhero movie.

Marvel Studios announced Thursday that Patty Jenkins will direct "Thor 2," the sequel to last summer's hit that is due in theaters Nov. 15, 2013.

Jenkins is best-known for writing and directing 2003's "Monster," which earned Charlize Theron the best-actress Academy Award. Her credits also include episodes of "Entourage" and "Arrested Development."

Chris Hemsworth will reprise his title role in "Thor 2" as the Norse god of thunder, with co-stars Natalie Portman and Tom Hiddleston also returning.

The first "Thor," directed by Kenneth Branagh, took in $448 million worldwide.

Another female filmmaker, Lexi Alexander, made the lower-budgeted Marvel movie "The Punisher: War Zone" in 2008. But Jenkins is the first woman to direct a blockbuster superhero franchise.

[Associated Press]

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