Marvel Studios has released the first trailer for Thor: The Dark World, the eagerly anticipated sequel to Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 blockbuster Thor. Helmed by “Game of Thrones” director Alan Taylor, Dark World looks far more epic and exciting than Branagh’s meh original.

Thor: The Dark World finds the Norse god bringing the hammer down on Malekith the Accursed, ruler of the dark Elves of Svartálfaheimr.

The film sees the return of Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Natalie Portman as his girl Jane Foster, Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Anthony Hopkins as Odin, stunner Jaimie Alexander as Sif and Kat Dennings as busty researcher Darcy Lewis. Christopher Eccleston (The Others) joins the cast as Malekith.

Thor: The Dark World opens Nov. 8.

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