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There isn’t a lot of info at this point, but it looks like Thor: The Dark World has a new bad guy to replace the departed Mads Mikkelsen. Christopher Eccleston, known for his films with Danny Boyle (Shallow Grave, 28 Days Later) and his stint as the ninth Doctor on Doctor Who, is in final talks to play the film’s new baddie.

There’s also some confirmation there, as Eccleston will be Malekith The Accursed, leader of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. The involvement of the Dark Elves was suspected thanks to the film’s official title, and the statement a stuntman made not long ago. I’ve liked Eccleston a lot in some roles (he’s great in all the aforementioned films; not so much in The Seeker: The Dark is Rising) and it’s almost perfect that he’s done mostly TV work since appearing in the first G.I. Joe film a few years ago. He might almost feel fresh showing up as a Dark Elf.

Alan Taylor (Game of Thrones) is directing the film.

Mr. Eko is going from the island to Asgard. Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, best known for his roles on Lost, Oz, The Thing and G.I. Joe: The Rise of Cobra, has just been cast in Alan Taylor‘s Marvel sequel Thor: The Dark World. He’ll be playing a villainous dual role beginning as Algrim, a powerful Dark Elf who is manipulated by Malekith (Christopher Eccleston) to fight Thor (Chris Hemsworth).

The brief spoiler explanation of the character, however, is that Algrim is defeated in a battle with Thor, develops amnesia and comes back as a more powerful being named Kurse. Considering Akinnuoye-Agbaje and Eccleston have both been cast, it’s almost certain this arc will play a major role in the film, set for release November 8, 2013.

In addition to the new villains, Thor: The Dark World also returns Natalie Portman, Anthony Hopkins, Tom Hiddleston, Idris Elba, Jaimie Alexander, Stellan Skarsgard, Rene Russo and Kat Dennings to their roles from the successful first film directed by Kenneth Branagh.