Christopher Eccleston had to do ''a bit of homework'' for his role in 'Thor: The Dark World'.

The 49-year-old actor admits he had to carry out in depth research after he accepted the role of evil Malekith the Accursed in the American superhero film because he doesn't tend to watch those kind of movies.

Speaking to Collider, he said: ''I had to do a bit of home work if I'm honest. The films I'll go and see are probably more non-genre films, so I did a lot of homework.''

However, he believes his talented co-stars and director Alan Taylor helped him loosen up and get into character.

He explained: ''I didn't do a huge amount of homework and I had a script and I have got an imagination and a great director and great actors.''

Eccleston wasn't told how long he would have to spend in the make-up chair to achieve his villain-like face, but he insists he was pleased with the outcome.

He said: ''I did my first make up and realised that it was going to be a long time and that was a process for me. It took patience but a beautiful creation the face.''