‘Game of Thrones’ Director Alan Taylor Chosen for ‘Thor 2’

The search for a Thor 2 director to replace Patty Jenkins has ended. Sources confirm to The Hollywood Reporter that Alan Taylor, best known for directing episodes of HBO’s fantasy series Game Of Thrones, has nabbed the job. 

THR first revealed in early December that Taylor was one of two finalists vying for the gig. Sources say that Taylor has now beaten out fellow Game of Thrones helmer Daniel Minahan and has received an offer to direct the superhero sequel, which is aiming to hit theaters in November 2013. Marvel declined to comment.

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Jenkins (Monster) made headlines in early December when she departed the high-profile sequel to May’s Thor. Both she and Marvel cited “creative differences” but THR‘s Kim Masters later revealed that Marvel abruptly dismissed Jenkins when the studio felt she was showing “a lack of overall clarity in her choices,” according to one source. Marvel was concerned that the filmmaking process would be “difficult” and that the planned release date might be hard to hit.

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The move to jettison Jenkins infuriated star Natalie Portman, who had been excited about Jenkins becoming the first woman to direct a major superhero tentpole film. A source speculated that Marvel executives might have been won over initially by Portman’s enthusiasm for Jenkins but then, “when they started to interview writers for [a planned script] rewrite . . . may have decided they really weren’t comfortable.”

Regardless, if a deal can be worked out, Taylor will now step into the director’s chair. Marvel also is hiring a writer to work on the script by Don Payne.

Email: Matthew.Belloni@thr.com

Twitter: @THRMattBelloni