Few Secrets Revealed in Character List for THOR: THE DARK WORLD

Today Marvel and Walt Disney Studios released a list of characters that will be making appearances in the upcoming film Thor: The Dark World. Some you may have expected, such as Thor, Loki, and Jane Foster. Others may be a bit of a surprise. The official list and descriptions as stated by Marvel and Disney, and first reported on by Stitchkingdom, is as follows (minor SPOILERS) :

THOR (CHRIS HEMSWORTH)

“Thor Odinson is the Prince and future King of Asgard, an advanced alien civilization. Once arrogant and impulsive, Thor was banished to Earth by his father, Odin. The experience taught him humility, but put him into conflict with his adopted brother Loki. After saving the Earth from Loki’s schemes alongside the Avengers, Thor now faces a new enemy — one that threatens to destroy everything he cares for.”

Fighting Malekith and whatever army he leads will be no easy challenge for this Norse god inspired Avenger. Last time he had to fight an army of aliens bent on destruction and conquering, he had the rest of the Avengers to back him up. How will he fare on his own?

JANE FOSTER (NATALIE PORTMAN)

“Jane Foster is an astrophysicist who met Thor when he was exiled to Earth by his father. The two had an intense attraction in the short time they were together, and through Jane, Thor learned the value of humility and the heroic nature of humanity. After being separated since Thor’s first visit to Earth, Jane has moved on with her life… but now finds herself pulled into Thor’s world once again by an ancient evil.”

“Pulled into Thor’s world” is an interesting phrase. It leads me to believe that she will be leaving Earth and traveling across the universe with the hammer-weilding superhero, Thor. How will a mortal human, even an astrophysicist, stand up to whatever evils must be faced?

LOKI (TOM HIDDLESTON)

“Loki Laufeyson is the adopted brother of Thor, raised alongside him from birth by Odin. Upon learning his true lineage, Loki sought to conquer both Asgard and Earth but was stopped by Thor and the Avengers. Still arrogant and unrepentant, Loki sits in the dungeons of Asgard, with only his mother Frigga seeing any hope for him. But when an ancient enemy seeks the destruction of Asgard, Loki finds his loyalties tested.”

Will the former ‘Thor’ and ‘Avengers’ villain find some redemption in this film? If you are locked in the dungeons of Asgard I only see two ways out: Malekith and his cronies break you out to help them, or Thor and Odin trust you enough to let you out to assist in their struggle. What side will the god of tricks end up on?

DR. ERIK SELVIG (STELLAN SKARSGÅRD)

“Dr. Erik Selvig is a fellow astrophysicist and mentor to Jane Foster and was with her when Thor arrived on Earth. Selvig’s mind was possessed by Loki, who forced him to aid in his invasion of Earth. Loki’s mind control was lifted after Thor and the Avengers defeated him, but Selvig’s mental state has deteriorated due to Loki’s influence. Selvig now finds himself at the center of cosmic events once again as two worlds collide.”

An astrophysicist with a deteriorating mental state just sounds like trouble for everyone in this story. After all, Dr. Selvig was smart enough to make a portal that allowed the invasion of Loki’s army in ‘The Avengers’. Could he make something just as dangerous, or perhaps much more helpful, in ‘Thor: The Dark World’?

HEIMDALL (IDRIS ELBA)

“Heimdall is the sentinel of Asgard with the ability to see and hear events galaxies away. He stands at his post in Asgard’s Observatory, watching over the cosmos and protecting Asgard from any and all intruders. As one of Odin’s most trusted warriors, Heimdall is beyond reproach… but now Asgard faces an enemy that even Heimdall cannot see.”

The watchful protector of Asgard is facing an enemy even he cannot see? Could it be an enemy already in Asgard, or has Malekith found a way to escape his eyes and ears until it is too late?

MALEKITH (CHRISTOPHER ECCLESTON)

“Malekith is the cruel leader of the Dark Elves, a race of beings said to be older than the universe itself. Born into darkness, Malekith led his people in a war against the Asgardians, but they were thought to have been destroyed thousands of years ago. Malekith survived, however, and now seeks to transform our universe, plunging it back into eternal darkness.”

If you didn’t understand the title of the movie I bet you do now. Malekith is an extremely dangerous and deadly enemy of Thor’s. Leading an entire race of Dark Elves, you better believe he has some staggering resources and strength. Will Thor’s strength be great enough to match it and save the galaxy? Also, how awesome is it that the ninth Doctor is playing him?

ALGRIM/KURSE (ADEWALE AKINNUOYE-AGBAJE)

“Algrim/Kurse is Malekith’s trusted and loyal lieutenant. He fought at Malekith’s side during the initial war with Asgard thousands of years ago, but now their time is running out. Algrim is called upon to make the ultimate sacrifice and is transformed into the monstrous Kurse. With a new and terrifying power, Kurse seeks to destroy Thor and Asgard in preparation for Malekith’s arrival.”

Picture this guy as Darth Vader to Malekith’s Emperor. Tricked into battling Thor by Malekith, Algrim to sustained massive injuries when Malekith attempted to kill them both. Luckily for Malektih, Algrim, who was transformed into Kurse because of these injuries, has amnesia and still hates Thor. The use of “their time is running out” makes me wonder if there isn’t more to this fight than Malekith’s will to conquer. Maybe a struggle to survive? And maybe this will be enough to make Kurse remember Malekith’s role in his pain? Once again, think about how Vader reacted to the Emperor.

DARCY LEWIS (KAT DENNINGS)

“Darcy Lewis is Jane Foster’s intern, a quirky but quick-thinking poli-sci major who found herself in the middle of Earth’s first contact with an alien civilization. And while she doesn’t always understand everything that’s happening around her, she doesn’t hesitate to speak up about it. When Jane discovers an ancient cosmological event affecting the Earth, it’s Darcy who has to pick up the slack when Jane disappears.”

How will a plucky intern factor into an intergalactic battle? Maybe not directly. She could just provided much needed motivation and support to Jane and help the people of Earth better understand what is happening.

VOLSTAGG (RAY STEVENSON)

“Volstagg makes up one third of the Warriors Three, Asgard’s greatest and most loyal warriors. Large and imposing, Volstagg’s skill with an axe is matched only by his appetite. With Fandral and Hogun, Volstagg has fought alongside Thor on many adventures across the cosmos. And while the stories of his exploits are often elaborated, he’s a hero to the Asgardian people.”

Last time Volstagg got involved with Thor he came to earth, fought the Destroyer, and was defeated. Will he be of more help this time around?

FANDRAL (ZACHARY LEVI)

“Fandral is Asgard’s finest swordsman, which serves him well as a member of the Warriors Three. Alongside Volstagg and Hogun, Fandral fights to protect Asgard from any and all foes. When not using his sword to smite his enemies, Fandral uses his charm and good looks to woo the ladies.”

The fact that Fandral’s charm was mentioned here makes me wonder who he’ll be wooing in this movie. I’m sure his swordsmanship will help with fighting dark elves, but will his smooth talking have any effect on Darcy Lewis?

HOGUN (TADANOBU ASANO)

“Hogun, often known as Hogun The Grim, is the deadliest of the Warriors Three. With both spiked mace and blade, Hogun defends Asgard as well as his own home, the peaceful planet of Vanaheim. Though he rarely speaks, his loyalty to Thor is legendary… as is his disapproval of Fandral and Volstagg’s frivolous natures.”

There is no doubt that Hogun will dole out some serious punishment to Malekith’s army, but will that be enough to help save the day? Perhaps he will finally straighten out Volstagg and Fandral and the three of them together will be champions.

SIF (JAIMIE ALEXANDER)

“Sif is one of Asgard’s most formidable warriors. Skilled and fearless, she’s a trusted and faithful ally to Thor. During his banishment, Sif saw Loki’s treachery and risked all to return Thor to Asgard…but on Earth, she saw that she had lost Thor’s heart to another—the human Jane Foster. Now at the end of a long campaign to free the Nine Realms from strife, Sif seeks to rekindle her relationship with Thor.”

I’m sure plenty of women are jealous of Natalie Portman but none of them are as powerful as Sif. Seeking to reclaim Thor’s heart may lead her to do some risky and unnecessary things. Could they cost Asgard and the rest of the galaxy their safety?

FRIGGA (RENE RUSSO)

“Frigga is wife of Odin and mother of Thor and Loki. The glue that holds the royal family together, Frigga knew that there was more to Odin’s banishment of Thor than met the eye, just as she now sees that there’s more within the villainous Loki than the others see. But when Asgard is attacked, Frigga will fight to defend those that she loves at any cost.”

The only one who still sees good in the treacherous Loki, Frigga could be an unprecedented help or completely detrimental. If she is right, and convinces Thor that Loki will help them, it could save the day, but what if she is wrong?

ODIN (ANTHONY HOPKINS)

“Odin is King of Asgard, Protector of the Nine Realms, and father to Thor and Loki. Odin’s long reign is coming to an end, however, and while disappointed with Thor’s arrogance at first, he now sees that Thor is ready for the throne. But when an ancient enemy returns, Odin questions Thor’s allegiances… for if Thor is to be king, he must choose duty over his heart’s desires.”

Father knows best is a phrase that has been around for a long while. Odin knew best when it came to sending Thor to Earth, and maybe not giving up the throne so quickly will prove to be the wise decision again.

Be sure to check out Marvel’s ‘Thor: The Dark World’ in theaters November 8th, 2013. For Unleash the Fanboy, I’m Jake Ruble. For more information on ‘Thor: The Dark World’ and everything superhero be sure to follow @FanboyUnleashed and @Rublesaurus on Twitter.

SOURCE: StitchKingdom