Thor film informatics Part 23A: The Tesseract

The Tesseract (also called the Cosmic Cube) is a cube-shaped object said to possess unlimited energy. It is unknown when or who made the Tesseract, but over the course of history, it was used by both the Asgardians and humans. The Tesseract is one of the Infinity Stones. It represents space, and can be used with the Infinity Gauntlet, one of the most powerful objects in the universe.

Captain America: The First Avenger
The Tesseract was guarded by the Asgardians, the jewel of Odin's treasure room of relics, but lost during the last age of worship by men on Earth. It is found centuries later in the 1940's by Johann Schmidt (German SS officer and leader of HYDRA) in a box behind Nidhogg in a sculptured mural of yggdrasil world tree, in a church full of Viking warriors entombed within its walls. Schmidt and scientist Arnim Zola used the power of the Tesseract to create weapons against the Allies and the entire world. Captain America foils Schmidt's plan to launch an aerial attack on the United States, and Schmidt disintegrates into light that shoots into space when he touches the Cube. After Captain America crashes Schmidt's plane, the Cube is recovered by Howard Stark. At the beginning of the 21st century, Howard's note book with a drawing of a "hypercube"  was found among his research and examined by his son Tony.

Thor
A book on Norse mythology featuring illustrations of the Norse gods shows Odin holding an object that seems to be the Tesseract. Years after being lost in the ocean, the cube is now in the hands of S.H.I.E.L.D.. Nick Fury, believing it to be a powerful energy source, recruits Professor Selvig to study it.

The Avengers
In 2012, after his defeat at the hands of Thor, Loki came into contact with the alien race known as the Chitauri, and their master, Thanos. For reasons which were unknown at the time, Thanos had already been seeking The Tesseract, and Loki promised to retrieve it from Earth and give it to Thanos in exchange for his army.

Through manipulation of the Tesseract's energy, Thanos teleported Loki to the Tesseract's location at the Joint Dark Energy Mission Facility, where he killed several S.H.I.E.L.D. agents and brainwashed Selvig, Barton and a number of other agents into following him using a scepter gifted to him by Thanos. He revealed his plans to use the Tesseract to enslave and rule over the human race, and quickly stole the aforementioned object and escaped. The energy from the portal destroyed the entire facility, while Loki took The Tesseract to an undisclosed location.

In response to Loki's threat, S.H.I.E.L.D. decided to re-start the Avengers Initiative, and swayed Bruce Banner, Iron Man, and Captain America to their cause. Fury also wanted them to trace the Tesseract as it was emitting small amounts of gamma radiation that only Banner and Stark would be able to trace.

While Loki was dealing with the Avengers, he ordered Dr. Selvig to begin working on a device that could utilize the Tesseract full power to create a portal that could transport the Chitauri army to Earth. Selvig and Loki later put their plan into effect and opened the portal above Stark Tower in New York City, which unleashed the Chitauri upon the city and a immense battle ensued. Agent Natasha Romanoff eventually used the Tesseract energy inside of Loki's scepter to reverse the effects of the device, shutting down the Tesseract and closing the portal. The remaining Chitauri were then defeated by the Avengers.

Following the invasion, Thor returned the Tesseract to Asgard along with Loki. Though his superiors were angry at this turn of events, Fury defended his decision to allow Thor to take the Tesseract back to Asgard along with Loki, saying that humanity simply wasn't at the level where it deserves the Tesseract power, much to the council's dismay.

Thor film informatics Part 23B: The Aether

The Aether is a mysterious force that existed before the birth of the Nine Realms. It is known to be able to convert matter into dark matter, and otherwise maintains an almost lifelike existence that causes it to bond in a parasitic fashion to a living host. Once bonded, the energies of the Aether slowly consume the energy of any mortal host, and also have a volatile and deadly effect on any who come into contact with the host in a manner that the Aether perceives as threatening. Bonded with a stronger host that understands its power, the Aether can be employed as a weapon where it lashes out with a concussive force, or reaches out to convert matter. During its brief time bonded to Malekith, the only one who fully understood its capabilities, it was capable of creating tendrils of itself to strike out at opponents, or even regenerating lost limbs, along with creating a tornado of Aether energy. Whilst bonded to Malekith, the Aether greatly enhanced his physical strength and durability thereby allowing him to fight Thor on a reasonably even basis. On its own, the Aether is capable of sending out pulses of power that can throw back any who it deems a threat to itself. The Aether appeared to have a connection to Malekith and the Dark Elves in that it awoke them from hibernation and drew them to Asgard, as well as providing its human host with the ability to sense the former's presence.

Every five-thousand years a cosmic event known as the Convergence causes the Nine Realms to become aligned, and Malekith planned to use this event and release the Aether to plunge the Nine Realms back into darkness. But the Asgardians intervened and took the Aether from him by force. Bor then had it hidden away where none could find it, and over the following five millennia its story faded from known history.

After five-thousand years, the next Convergence brought the Nine Realms into alignment again, and in so doing portals began to appear in the walls between realms. Jane Foster was dragged through one such portal to the hidden vault of the Aether where it bonded itself to her. After arriving back on Earth, Jane exhibited an immensely powerful energy projection just by being touched on the arm. Took arrived on earth and took Jane to Asgard for treatment, but the physicians there could do nothing to remove it. During this time, Malekith had sensed the Aether's activity and attempted to retrieve it by attacking Asgard. In the end, through the sacrifice of Frigga, Malekith and his army escaped from Asgard before he could obtain the Aether.

The Aether quickly became the central focus of a war when Malekith returned after a five-thousand year sleep to reclaim it. He almost succeeded when he pulled the Aether from Foster into himself and became its new host, but was stopped in the act of transforming the Nine Realms by the combined efforts of Foster and Thor. Both parties then arrive on Earth, where Malekith uses the Aether to battle Thor across worlds during the Convergence until eventually Malekith is killed.

Having recovered the Aether, Sif and Volstagg decided that it was unwise to store two Infinity Stones in one vault, and so they turned the Aether over to Taneleer Tivan, the ageless archivist and curator known as "the Collector", for safekeeping.

Thor film informatics Part 22B: Algrim the Strong (Kurse)

Algrim the Strong was a Dark Elf of Svartalfheim who served as loyal lieutenant to Malekith the Accursed. When the Dark Elves attempted to unleash the Aether into the Nine Realms during the time of the Convergence, they were confronted by the Asgardians and their leader, Bor. After a lengthy war, Malekith realized the battle could not be won now and sacrificed their ships, and most of their race in a bid to hide their escape. This shocked Algrim, but he trusted his lord and followed him into a five-thousand year sleep until the time of the next convergence of realms.
The time of the Convergence finally came again when Jane Foster of Earth unintentionally discovered and absorbed the Aether, becoming a host body to it's power. The Dark Elves sensed the Aether and awoke from their slumber before returning to the wasteland of Svartalfheim. Discovering the Aether host was on Asgard, Malekith set his sights for revenge before turning to Algrim for his loyalty. Algrim readily accepted his master's wish for him to become the last of the Kursed, Dark Elves who had sacrificed their bodies to become creatures of darkness and raw, bestial power. Malekith stabbed Algrim in his stomach and inserted a glowing gem inside, transforming him into the mindless yet powerful beast known as Kurse.


Powers and abilities
Kurse possesses a number of superhuman attributes as a result of his natural dark elf physiology and mystical augmentation. Kurse's main advantage against foes is his strength - while initially a close match for Thor, his strength was first increased to twice, and then four times, that of Thor. Courtesy of the enchanted armor that was fused to his skin by the Beyonder, Kurse is now almost totally invulnerable but like all Dark Elves is vulnerable to the element iron. Kurse also has the ability to sense and track his opponents over distances as great as continents and can see through illusions and disguises.
Despite being taken aback at Malekith's sacrificing most of the Dark Elves to win the war, Algrim was completely loyal to his master and willing to do anything, and everything to assist and protect him. Having no compassion or mercy, Algrim would have slaughtered all of Asgard's citizens single-handedly if given the chance.

Thor film informatics Part 22A: Malekith the Accursed

Dark Elves are an ancient race of corrupted beings from the obscure world of Svartalfheim ruled by Malekith the Accursed. They are the natural enemies to the Asgardians.


Malekith the Accursed is the 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.


Powers and abilities
Malekith has all the normal attributes of a member of the race of dark elves, although his abilities are as a result of above-average development. He possesses superhuman intellect, strength, speed, stamina, durability, agility, and reflexes. As a dark elf, Malekith has the ability to manipulate the forces of magic for a variety of effects, including teleportation, energy projection, physical malleability, flight (by transforming into mist), illusion casting, and the ability to change the shape and appearance of other beings or objects. Malekith has a vulnerability to iron, which disrupts or cancels his magical spells.

Thor film informatics Part 21D: Darcy Lewis

Darcy Lewis is Jane Foster's close friend and 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. In the events of "Thor: The Dark World", she is paired up with a new intern Ian Boothby, whom she eventually falls for.


Character traits
Darcy Lewis is an emotional and impulsive girl, surrounded by scientists. Despite her obliviousness to science, she is generally the first to notice what's going on around her. She notices the anomaly first, and is the first to realize that Thor fell out of the anomaly. She is also the first to piece together that although Thor may not be a God, but that it is completely plausible for primitive cultures to revered him as such, and articulates that to Dr. Selvig beautifully on Jane's behalf. She is a good and loyal friend, ready to help Jane and Professor Selvig in their research, first, and in solving the mystery behind the man they found in New Mexico's desert. Professor Selvig and Jane are somewhat less charitable in their regard for Darcy.

Thor film informatics Part 21C: Jane Foster

Jane Foster is an American astrophysist, who found Thor after he was banished to Earth by Odin. 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. 


Character traits 
Jane Foster is a strong a determined woman, with an obstinate will and an independent spirit. She firmly believes that scientists have been invested with the mission of searching the truth and loyally follows this idealism. She possesses a deep knowledge for her study field, astrophysics, and of her peers, she single-handedly came the closest to discovering the existence of Asgard by studying the wormhole-like traces left by the use of the Bifrost Bridge.

Jane Foster is portrayed by Best Actress winner Natalie Portman, who is also well-known by Star Wars fans for her portrayal of Senator Padme Amidala, the wife of fallen Jedi Knight Anakin Skwalker aka Darth Vader (and mother of Luke Skywalker and Leia Organa) in the Star Wars prequel trilogy.

Thor film informatics Part 21B: Professor Erik Selvig

An old colleague of Jane Foster's father, Selvig is working with her to carry out her wormhole research, resulting in him being present when Thor arrives on Earth after his banishment. Having grown up with tales of the Viking myths, Selvig recognizes Thor's 'stories', but assumes that they reflect a delusional mental state even after Jane's assistant speculates that the Norse gods could have been an advanced race who came to Earth. However, he and Thor bond after they spend the night drinking in a bar after he helped Thor escape S.H.I.E.L.D. custody.

It is suggested that Selvig also knows Bruce Banner; after SHIELD has taken Jane Foster's equipment, Selvig says that he knew a scientist who was a pioneer in gamma-radiation, but after SHIELD showed up, no one heard from him again. When Lady Sif and the Warriors Three appear outside Jane's lab, Selvig doesn't understand what is going on until the Destroyer appears soon after attacking the town. During the course of the battle, he witnessed the amazing abilities of the Warriors Three and begins to believe Thor's identity. In the midst of the destruction he concedes to following Thor's instructions.

Later in the aftermath of Thor's renewal of his powers and reclamation of his hammer, Selvig no longer doubts Thor's beliefs or identity. Jane and he travel with Thor and the other Asgardians to the wormhole as they depart from Midgard. In a post-credits scene, Selvig meets with Nick Fury and is offered the chance to study the Tesseract, but is already being observed by Loki.


The Avengers
Currently working for S.H.I.E.L.D. investigating the Tesseract, Selvig comes under Loki's control when Loki emerges from the portal generated by the Tesseract. He subsequently helps Loki devise a device that will allow him to generate a larger portal to bring in a massive invasion fleet to conquer Earth. When Loki's plan is about to be fulfilled, Selvig brings the Tesseract to the top of Stark Tower, and uses it to open a portal to the Chitauri's world. When the aliens starts to spawn on Earth, Selvig is reached by the Avengers, who try to stop him and fail. Selvig reveals to them that the force field surrounding the Cube is unbreakable, and that nothing can be undone. He is knocked out by the force of the portal immediately after.

When he wakes up, Selvig finds himself alone with the Black Widow, who's trying to close the portal. Back to himself, Erik reveals to her that some part of his consciousness was still awake during Loki's mind-control, and that he inserted a flaw in the god's plan: the force field around the Tesseract can be undone with Loki's scepter. He is last seen standing with the Avengers as Thor takes Loki and the Tesseract back to Asgard.

Thor film informatics Part 21A: Thor's allies on Earth

When Thor was banished to Earth for nearly causing a war between the Asgardians and the Jotuns with his recklessness, he was discovered by a group of scientists whom he has since considered his friends and allies. Later on, he would encounter the members of S.H.I.E.L.D. when he tried to reclaim his hammer Mjolnir from the secret base.


When Asgard discovers Loki is upon Earth, seeking the Tesseract, Odin uses dark sorcery to send Thor to Earth to stop him. Thor lands on the jet in which Loki is being escorted back to the Helicarrier by Captain America, Iron Man and Black Widow, and takes Loki from their custody. Thor tries to convince Loki to give up his plans and return home to Asgard with the Tesseract, though Loki still resents him. After a confrontation with Stark and Rogers, Thor agrees to take Loki to S.H.I.E.L.D.'s flying aircraft carrier, the Helicarrier. The team initially have difficulty and refusal to obey each other; for example, Tony Stark is reluctant to working under the command of Captain America, Thor demands that Loki is his responsibility, and the team is uncomfortable with the presence of Bruce Banner, whose alter ego The Hulk could threaten the safety of everyone on the Helicarrier. When Loki attempts to destroy the team and promote his godlike supremacy to Earth in a public way, the Avengers depart from S.H.I.E.L.D.'s command and rally in defense of New York as it is invaded by the extraterrestrials known as the Chitauri. Captain America takes command of the team and they each work to supress the invasion force.

After closing the portal, the team take Loki as their prisoner, and Thor takes both Loki and the Tesseract back to Asgard, where Loki would have to answer for his crimes. The team disbands, but agrees to reassemble, should another global threat require their combined efforts.


Scientists
Professor Erik Selvig
Jane Foster (love interest)
Darcy Lewis


S.H.I.E.L.D. agents
Director Nick Fury
Agent Phil Coulson
Agent Clint Barton aka Hawkeye
Agent Natasha Romanoff aka Black Widow


Avengers
Tony Stark aka Iron Man
Steve Rogers aka Captain America
Bruce Banner aka The Hulk

Thor film informatics Part 20: The Destroyer

The Destroyer was a magical, consciousless entity built by Odin to defend the Asgardian vaults. It will complete any mission given to it without question, regardless of how long the mission or who gets in its way. It is an empty suit of armour which can be controlled when one places his conciousness inside it. Its primary weapon are fiery beams of energy emitted from his face, but it also superhumanly strong and nearly invulnerable to damage.

The Destroyer operates at the behest of whomever holds Gungnir, the Asgardian ruler's spear, and can therefore be used for good or for evil depending on who sits on the throne. It can also therefore be stopped by an attack on its vulnerable master. The Destroyer was programmed solely for battle and destruction. The Destroyer was sent down to Earth via the Bifrost Bridge by Loki to destroy Thor and anything that got in its way. Once Thor regained his powers, he lifted The Destroyer off the ground into a tornado and hurled his hammer though its head, shutting it down permanently. The Destroyer was later collected by S.H.I.E.L.D. and kept in the S.H.I.E.L.D. Headquarters, where a prototype weapon was reverse-engineered from its technology.


Character Traits
The Destroyer was a mindless weapon, which completes every task assigned by the ruler of Asgard, whoever he might be. It has enormous powers, among which are superhuman strength and durability, energy projection from the head, and the capability of remodeling itself during battle. Once the Destroyer is engaged in a task, it completes it, whatever the cost.

Attributes
Strength: The Destroyer's large size and construction gives it a formidable physical power, enough to bat away a car hurled at it with apparent ease and swat Thor back several feet with one hit (although Thor was temporarily human at the time).
Durability: The Destroyer was constructed of alien materials that makes it highly resistant to damage. Even when pierced by an Asgardian lance it was able to continue functioning and remove it from its body and showed no signs of damage from it.
Energy Blast: The Destroyer contains Odinforce that can be unleashed through an aperture in its head. When it does this, part of the facial structure retracts downward into the lower face and the energy discharge lances out the orange-white beam. The touch of this beam was enough to blast a car to pieces or vaporize a living being. At full power, it nearly devastated half of a town.
Retrograde Positioning: The Destroyer is able to move its armor pieces so that it faces the opposite way without turning around; its back side becomes its front side and vice versa. This was used when Lady Sif drove a lance through its back and the Destroyer positions itself to blast her.

Thor film informatics Part 19: Casket of Ancient Winters

The Casket of Ancient Winters is powered by a limitless supply of magical energy. When opened, it releases powerful arctic weather that is capable of freezing anything in its path; killing humans and immobilizing Asgardians. The Casket can only be opened and handled by a Frost Giant; anyone else who attempts to open it would be burnt by the powerful cold aura that surrounds it. Its magic is also strong enough to temporarily disrupt the powers of Odin.

In the film, the Casket is used by the Frost Giants in an attempt to take over the Nine Realms, starting with Earth. When the Frost Giants are defeated by Odin, the All-Father takes the casket back to Asgard for safekeeping. He later displays it to his two young sons; Thor and Loki, when he is telling them stories about the war with the Frost Giants.


In the late 2000's, a party of Frost Giants, with the aid of Loki, tried to steal the Casket but were vaporized by The Destroyer. When Loki discovers his origins as Laufey's son, he takes the Casket for himself; once he gained the throne of Asgard, he uses the power of the Casket to freeze Heimdall, who was opposing him as a ruler. It is unclear what became of the Casket after Loki fell from the damaged Bifrost bridge and into the abyss.


Powers and Abilities
The casket is powered by an apparently limitless supply of magical energy. When opened, it releases powerful arctic weather that is capable of freezing anything in its path, killing humans and immobilizing Asgardians.