Marvel Studios has released the first still photo that clearly depicts actor Chris Eccleston as Malekith the Accursed, the dark elf, who is the chief villain in director Alan Taylor’s Thor: The Dark World.  The close-up of the ruler of the Dark Elves of Svartalfheim certainly makes him look evil enough.  Created by Walt Simonson, Malekith made his initial appearance in Thor #344 in June of 1984.  In the comics Malekith captured the Casket of Ancient Winters, and though the dark elf was eventually defeated by Thor, Malekith was able to smash the Casket of Ancient Winters, unleashing an ice age-like wave of cold and ice across the globe.
 
In addition to some stills Marvel Studios also released two International posters for Thor: The Dark World, which opens nationwide on November 9th.  The dynamic Thor poster shows actor Chris Hemsworth in full action in a potent diagonal design as he wields his legendary hammer (Mjolnir) for what looks like a truly fearsome blow.  The action in the second Thor film moves off-world as Thor deals with the dark realms (see "'Thor: The Dark World' Featurette").
 
Mjolnir also appears in the other poster features Tom Hiddleston as Loki, who sits contemplatively in the midst of a large pile of rubble with Thor’s hammer also included somewhat ambiguously in the right hand corner of the design.  In Thor: The Dark World Loki and Thor form an uneasy alliance to meet the enormous challenge presented by Malekith and his minions.  Thus while he can never be trusted, Loki is not the primary villain in the second Thor movie though he does play a major role in the film (see "More Loki in 'Thor: The Dark World'").  The dubious distinction of chief bad guy belongs to Malekith the Accursed.