Journeying to The Dark World this Oc-THOR-ber!

This month of Oc-THOR-ber, the mighty THOR returns to cinemas to battle ancient evil from The Dark World. In the aftermath of Marvel's "Thor" and "Marvel's The Avengers," Thor fights to restore order across the cosmos...but an ancient race led by the vengeful Malekith returns to plunge the universe back into darkness. Faced with an enemy that even Odin and Asgard cannot withstand, Thor must embark on his most perilous and personal journey yet, one that will reunite him with Jane Foster and force him to sacrifice everything to save us all.

Alan Taylor takes over the director's chair for Thor: The Dark World with most of the cast returning from the 2011 origin movie.

Chris Hemsworth stars in his third outing as Thor, reuniting with co-star Natalie Portman as Jane Foster, who is not happy that the God of Thunder did not drop in to see her during formation of the Avengers at the invasion of New York.

Also back on this third Marvel movie, Tom Hiddleston reprises his role as Loki, whose popularity seems to be out-doing Chris Hemsworth himself! Just check out photos from movie promo events on the official Thor Facebook Page.

Loki charms the audience at SDCC 2013.

Since his surprise appearance at Loki in SDCC 2013, Tom Hiddleston certainly seems to have generated his own league of worshippers, particularly amongst the fan-girls while normal women-folk may continue to swoon over Chris Hemsworth god-like physique. Well, fans of both Team Thor and Team Loki can gasp in delight together as the Asgardian brothers look to be sharing lots of screen time together on their forthcoming journey to the Dark World.

The classic Sir Anthony Hopkins returns as Odin, the All-Father Ruler of Asgard, together with Rene Russo as Queen Frigga. Critically acclaimed Idris Elba also reprises the stoic Heimdall, gatekeeper of the Biforst rainbow bridge. 

While S.H.I.E.L.D. watches and protects mankind on Earth, the Asgardians seems to be the equivalent counterpart on the galactic scale protecting many worlds across the nine realms.

Leading the fight with Thor are Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander) and the Warriors Three: Fandral (Zachary Levi), Volstagg (Ray Stevenson) and Hogun (Tadanobu Asano).

Sif

Fandral

Volstagg

Strangely Hogun doesn't get his own poster to complete the Warriors Three, or perhaps it will be a Japan exclusive.

Hogun (left) doesn't look happy to be left out of movie posters.

Space elves get nasty in the form of Malekith, played by Chris Eccleston of Dr. Who fame. Now as Ruler of Dark Elves from the realm of Svartalfheim, Malekith plots to engulf the universe in darkness.

Thor: The Dark World will unleash at Malaysian cinemas on 31st Oc-Thor-ber, Halloween Day! Let's look forward to some Asgardian cosplay at the movie opening:

Join our party of adventurers to Asgard this Thursday 31 October, 9pm at TGV IMAX Sunway Pyramid!

If you haven't yet gotten tickets for Thor The Dark World, MBO Cinemas will be giving out FREE tickets at 7pm on this THORs-day, 31 Oc-Thor-ber.

While at MBO Cinemas, the Outpost Movie Recon Team (M.R.T.) has also identified movie cup and postcards you can take home as souvenirs. Just purchase the following Mega-Cup and Postcard Combo for RM14.90 which comes together with soft drink plus popcorn to enjoy during the movie.

4 postcards comprising 3 Thor & 1 Loki, 2 of which features shiny gold print on the movie title.

Meanwhile, GSC gives us mere mortals a chance to be worthy of Thor's mighty hammer Mjolnir. With purchase of GSC Combo 3 or Large Signature Combo 1, you can take home a mini Thor Hammer for only RM2.

GSC also has an online contest via their website for a chance to win more Thor: The Dark World movie premiums.

Movie goers to TGV Cinemas purchasing tickets online or via mobile App are entitled to win movie premiums as well. Make you purchase then enter your booking number and details through the TGV website contest form.

Lastly, Cathay Cineplexes offers their Thor popcorn combo consisting of large popcorn, soft drink in Thor tumbler and a pack of Kinder Bueno for RM16.90.

In you want to feast like an Asgardian god, try Burger King's Hammer burgers. For a RM13.95 meal, get an Angus Black Pepper Beef or Tendercrisp Chicken burger, fries and special Lemon Bolt soft drink. Plus add RM6.90 to take back a Thor or Loki steel water bottle to bring along on your adventures to the nine realms.

The Outpost M.R.T. has been hard pressed to find any Thor: The Dark World toys and collectible merchandise locally. Hasbro has once again a series of Marvel action figures for this movie, which should be stocking on shelves soon at Toys R Us or major retailers. There are 3.75in series figures, a 10in electronic effects Thor, and various role-play items like Mjolnir. So far we have only spotted the 3.75in figures at one collectible hobby shop. Goto MarvelToyNews.com for on-shelf product photos.

3.75in Thor: The Dark World action figures from Hasbro.

10in Thor with light and sound effects.

More appealing to adult collectors could be Thor and Jane Foster figures from Diamond Select Toys (DST). However as there is no offical distributor for DST in Malaysia, we can only hope specialty hobby shops will bring them in. Check out photos of these figures and cutesy Minimates series from MarvelToysNews.com.

High end collectors and fan boys / girls will be happy to note Hot Toys is once again releasing a new version of the God of Thunder for Thor: The Dark World. In fact, there are 2 versions: Thor fully armoured (as he is during epic battles) and light armour (showing off his brawny arms), the latter looking to be an exclusive release through SideshowCollectibles.com. But it looks to be a long wait for these hot toys as release dates look to be almost 1 year away.

1/6 scale figure from Hot Toys releasing in 2014.

Exclusive "light armour" version from Sideshow showing off the God of Thunder's brawny arms.

Sadly LEGO doesn't seem to have Thor: The Dark World building sets like for Avengers and Iron Man 3. So LEGO fans will just have to play out their journey to The Dark World with Thor & Loki from last year's the Avengers sets. LEGO did parody the movie poster by converting the lead characters to their LEGO minifigure equivalents:

Now both Marvel and LEGO fans can play Thor and other superheroes to smash Loki and evil cohorts in the just released LEGO Marvel Superheroes video game:

Phew, that's wrapping it up for this M.R.T. report and hope it helps our loyal followers have a truly Thor-some experience.

Now we'll just sit back and throw some hammers while counting until Thors-day for release of Thor: The Dark World!

Disclaimer: Thor and its trademarks are copyright to Marvel Entertainment, referenced here for fan service announcements without intent to infringe.