Kenneth Branagh will not return as director for THOR 2, reports Deadline.com. Star Chris Hemsworth is set to return though. Marvel Studios has also tapped Don Payne to return as the writer of the sequel.

Marvel has selected July 26, 2013 for the release of the sequel. The original film has grossed $437 million worldwide.

Payne was a co-executive producer on THE SIMPSONS. For superheroes he penned the features FANTASTIC FOUR: RISE OF THE SILVER SURFER, MY SUPER EX-GIRLFRIEND and the un-produced LOBO film.