'Monster' Director Jenkins Takes on 'Thor 2'

LOS ANGELES (AP) Hollywood has signed up its first female director for a major superhero movie.Marvel Studios announced Thursday that Patty Jenkins will direct "Thor 2," the sequel to last summer's hit that is due in theaters Nov. 15, 2013.Jenkins is best-known for writing and directing 2003's "Monster," which earned Charlize Theron the best-actress Academy Award. Her credits also include episodes of "Entourage" and "Arrested Development."Chris Hemsworth will reprise his title role in "Thor 2" as the Norse god of thunder, with co-stars Natalie Portman and Tom Hiddleston also returning.The first "Thor," directed by Kenneth Branagh, took in $448 million worldwide.Another female filmmaker, Lexi Alexander, made the lower-budgeted Marvel movie "The Punisher: War Zone" in 2008. But Jenkins is the first woman to direct a blockbuster superhero franchise.Copyright 2011 Associated Press. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.