They are developing and self-producing 26 half-hour episode series based on its long-running comic book, with the series targeted to launch in the fall of that year.
The animated series will follow the Norse god of thunder, as he defends his mythical home of Asgard against fantastical villains, fiendish hordes, winged creatures and angry giants. The show will take place in various worlds -- from mountainous landscapes to places of icy mists and fiery voids and will include many of the comic's supporting cast, such as Balder the Brave, the Warriors Three and Thor's evil adopted brother Loki.
Marvel president of animation Eric Rollman said the series is part of the company's plan to follow each live-action movie with an animated series and "offer a continued awareness in the marketplace." It is already in production on cartoon series "The Avengers: Earth's Mightiest Heroes," which will be available for broadcast in 2011, in time for Marvel Studios' releases of the tentpole live-action movies "The First Avenger: Captain America" and "The Avengers."
Marvel Animation is in the midst of a big push in the toon sector. Its new series "Wolverine and the X-Men" and "Iron Man: Armored Adventures" debut next year on Nicktoons. Also coming is "Marvel Super Hero Squad" and "Black Panther." The latter will run on BET in 2009.