Back in June, Kenneth Branagh passed on the opportunity to direct the impending sequel to Thor, and people have since bandied about ideas as to who was the best replacement for the Shakespearean actor/director for Thor 2, but who could mix the could mix the dash of old-world Norse Mythology, with the cosmic nature of Jack Kirby and Stan Lee‘s creation as good as (or better than) Branagh?

Variety reports that Brian Kirk, director of multiple episodes of HBO‘s hit series Game of Thrones, is now in negotiations to helm Thor 2 for Marvel Studios and Walt Disney Pictures.

Thor 2 is slated to hit theaters on July 26th, 2013.