AceShowbiz - Irish actor Stuart Townsend has quit superhero blockbuster "Thor" just days before the movie was set to start shooting. It's the second time the "Queen of the Damned" star has missed out on a potentially major film franchise - he was replaced by Viggo Mortensen in the "Lord of The Rings" trilogy.

Fandral, Townsend's role in "Thor", will now go to little-known actor Joshua Dallas. Full details about the actor's departure have not been released, but internet reports suggest he left the Marvel Comics movie adaptation, directed by Kenneth Branagh, over creative differences.

Branagh's film will star Chris Hemsworth as Thor, Natalie Portman, Rene Russo and Sir Anthony Hopkins. The film is scheduled for a May, 2011 release.

"Thor" itself follows the powerful but arrogant warrior whose reckless action has caused an ancient wars. He is then punished by being sent to Earth where he learns to be a true hero when dangerous villain from his world tries to invade Earth.