Imminent Thor Sequel is News to Kenneth Branagh

Despite neither adaptation having yet reached multiplexes, last week's revelation by Marvel Studios boss Kevin Feige that both Thor and Captain America would receive sequels came as a surprise to no one. But when brought to Thor director Kenneth Branagh's attention today by Movieline, the disclosure did cause a start. "Do you know, if that is true, that is literally the first I've heard of it?" Branagh said. "You are telling me news."

Feige noted the franchise continuations in an interview published recently is Disney's D23 fan magazine. ""Thor will go off into a new adventure, and Captain America will continue to explore the modern world in another film of his own," he said. "We hope that holds true for the characters appearing in that film -- Black Widow, Hawkeye, and the spy organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. --all of whom are more than worthy and capable of carrying their own films."

Informed of Feige's comments and asked if would direct Thor 2, Branagh demurred.

"Well, I don't know," he told Movieline. "It's is kind of news to me. Here's what I would say to that: It's that I'm thrilled they're that confident. I shall wait for the audience to tell us whether there should be a second one, and then if that's a nice conversation to be had between all of us, that'd be thrilling. But I've got too much Irish superstitious blood in me to assume that Thor 2 will happen. But if Marvel says so, then I guess it must be true."

Let's hope so, and let's hope he's involved. Thor works in large part because of Branagh's taste, intelligence and chops, which we discussed with the filmmaker in the rest of our chat to be published here next week. Stay tuned!

Thor opens May 6.