What is more exciting about the prospect of a Thor 2 that features the return of all the first movie's familiar faces in a movie helmed by Game of Thrones director Alan Taylor? Well, how about the addition of Casino Royale's bad guy, Mads Mikkelsen as a second villain alongside Tom Hiddleston's Loki?

Mikkelsen is reported to be in talks with Marvel Studios to take on the troublemaking role, but neither the actor nor Marvel is hinting just who he'll play if he signs on the dotted line. Rumors are already floating around the internet about the possibility that he'll play the Stan Lee/Jack Kirby-era heavy Skurge The Executioner, which seems an enticing proposition if only for the possibility it brings of an appearance by his partner-in-god-crime the Enchantress in the sequel at some point. Cue the casting suggestions for that role...

Thor 2 is currently in pre-production for a projected late summer shooting, with Taylor directing from a script by original Thor screenwriter Don Payne and Robert Rodat. The movie is aimed for a November 15, 2013 release.