‘The Others’ star Christopher Eccleston joins ‘Thor: The Dark World’ as Malekith

The Chris Hemsworth led “Thor” sequel officially has  a villain with Christopher Eccleston signing as the dark elf Malekith the Accured.

Malekith photo/Marvel Studios

Deadline reports that the star of “The Others’ will play the ruler of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. In the Marvel Comics, he clashes with Thor regularly.

“Game of Thrones” director Alan Taylor will take over for “Thor: The Dark World” as the original cast all appear to be returning to reprise their roles from the first film.

From Marvel.com: Malekith the Accursed ruled the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim. Svartalfheim is one of the nine worlds of Asgard. Malekith mastered sorcery, making him a formidable ally to the other enemies of Asgard. He formed an alliance with the god of mischief Loki on behalf of Surtur. Not long after that agreement, he used a special food provided to him by Hela. The food contained some sort of magic, which gave him control of the humans of Earth. While continuing his quest, he took the life of Eric Willis, guardian of the Casket of Ancient Winters. Before his death Willis conveyed the Casket’s location to Loki. Not willing to give up his quest, Malekith Kidnapped the Asgardian Lorelei in order to gain control of the god of Thunder. Thor discovered that he had been tricked into falling for a stack of wood, and became enraged as he learned that the real Lorelei was being held captive by Malekith. Lorelei was eventually freed but, Thor was forced to battle Algrim the Strong. Malekith attempted to destroy both combatants by plunging them into a pit of molten magma; subsequently Malekith retrieved the Casket of Ancient Winters, from the being known as Jagrfelm. Shortly after Jagrfelm’s death, Malekith released its power upon Asgard in his quest to rule all nine worlds.