Road to Infinity War - THOR: THE DARK WORLD Retrospective

Welcome to the Road to AVENGERS: INFINITY WAR. This is my own little retrospective of each of Marvel Studios' films every week of 2018 and by the time I am done looking back at all of the MCU movies, Infinity War will be releasing in theaters in the U.S. on May 4. I've already talked about IRON MAN, THE INCREDIBLE HULK, IRON MAN 2, THOR, CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER, and THE AVENGERS to conclude Phase 1.

Phase 2 has begun to take shape with IRON MAN 3 and now on to THOR: THE DARK WORLD...

At one point in this sequel's development, WONDER WOMAN director Patty Jenkins was onboard to direct. Unfortunately due to the usual excuse of 'creative differences' Jenkins had to exit after only two months. She claimed the movie she was hoping to make was not in line with the film the studio was seeking to make and there was a mutual parting.

Marvel Studios, then, turned to GAME OF THRONES director Alan Taylor. When THOR: THE DARK WORLD finally released, Taylor told the press that working with the studio was a bit difficult due to adhering to their expectations of tone and certain story plot points. This was first seen as potentially a big problem for the studio, but now in retrospect it was studio head and producer Kevin Feige commanding certain things in order to continue continuity in a long form storytelling narrative for the MCU's inter-connected film universe. It takes a director who is willing to work within the confines of these parameters set by Feige first and foremost, and then the director can build on it with his personal tastes and creative tendencies around those requirements.

During the casting process, actor Mads Mikkelsen was up for the role of Malekith, however, scheduling difficulties prevented him from taking on the role. Actor Christopher Eccleston won the role, but Mikkelsen would later go on to be cast as another villain, as Kaecilius in DOCTOR STRANGE.

THOR: THE DARK WORLD opened on November 8, 2013 with $85 million in the domestic box office. This bested its predecessor's opening weekend by $20 million. At the time, only all three Iron Man movies, and THE AVENGERS  opened bigger in their respective opening frames. The sequel finished it domestic run with $206 million.

Overseas, the sequel was way more successful as it pulled in over $438 million; more than doubling its domestic take. Worldwide, THOR: THE DARK WORLD brought in a grand total of $644 million on its $170 million production budget.

According to its 66-percent score on RottenTomatoes, THOR: THE DARK WORLD is Marvel Studios' lowest scoring film by critics on the review aggregator website. And still is to this very day.

Written by Daniel Wolf, Founder & Publisher


Previous Road to Infinity War Posts:
Road to Infinity War: IRON MAN 3 Retrospective

Road to Infinity War: THE AVENGERS Retrospective

Road to Infinity War - CAPTAIN AMERICA: THE FIRST AVENGER Retrospective

Road to Infinity War - THOR Retrospective

Road to Infinity War - IRON MAN 2 Retrospective

Road to Infinity War - THE INCREDIBLE HULK Retrospective

Road to Infinity War - IRON MAN Retrospective