Literally minutes after news of outgoing Thor director Kenneth Branagh's potential next project, the sequel to this summer's superhero blockbuster may have found a replacement: Brian Kirk.

His name might not be of the household variety just yet, but his directorial resume -- which includes episodes of HBO's Game of Thrones and Boardwalk Empire and Showtime's Dexter -- is sure to resonate with the target audience.

The Irish-born Kirk has just one feature film, 2006's Middletown, to his credit; thus landing such a gig would certainly mark one of the most colossal jumps from television to the big screen in at least recent history.

Branagh opted out of the sequel -- which is already penciled in for a July 26, 2013, release -- in late June despite having led the May release to a positive critical reception and nearly $450 million at the worldwide box office.

Source: Variety