Erik Selvig
Erik Selvig | |
---|---|
Marvel Cinematic Universe character | |
Stellan Skarsgård as Erik Selvig in Thor | |
First appearance | Thor |
Created by | |
Portrayed by | Stellan Skarsgård |
Information | |
Occupation | Astrophysicist |
Nationality | Norwegian-American[1] |
Erik Selvig is a character portrayed by Swedish actor Stellan Skarsgård in the films of the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). An astrophysicist who becomes involved with the alien Thor and the government organization S.H.I.E.L.D., he first appeared in the 2011 film Thor. Skarsgård went on to reprise the role in The Avengers (2012), Thor: The Dark World (2013), and Avengers: Age of Ultron (2015). To tie into these appearances, the character is seen in several MCU tie-in comics. The character also appears in other media, including comics published by Marvel Comics.
Marvel Cinematic Universe
Feature films
In Thor, astrophysicist Erik Selvig works with Jane Foster, the daughter of a former colleague of his, on her wormhole research. They become involved in an encounter between Thor and S.H.I.E.L.D., leading to his employment by the latter to study the Tesseract—he accepts the job due to influence by Loki. In The Avengers, Loki uses the Tesseract to travel to Earth, and places Selvig under the control of the Mind Stone. Selvig is eventually freed of this control and able to help stop Loki's invasion of Earth, but is left near insane by his experience. Selvig is able to help Thor again in Thor: The Dark World, and by Avengers: Age of Ultron appears to have regained his sanity. After the defeat of Ultron, Selvig begins working for the Avengers.
Tie-in comics
Selvig appears in the MCU tie-in comics The Avengers Prelude: Fury's Big Week and Thor: The Dark World Prelude in the same capacity as he does in the films.
Concept and creation
I chose Thor because of [director] Kenneth Branagh ... I try to pick different films, I go and do those big ones and having done that I can usually afford to go and do some really small obscure films and experiment a little.
—Skarsgård's reasoning for joining Thor[2]
In October 2009, Stellan Skarsgård joined the cast of Thor,[3] which was written by Ashley Edward Miller, Zack Stentz, and Don Payne;[4] Skarsgård signed a five-film deal with Marvel.[5] His character Erik Selvig appears in the post-credits scene at the end of Thor, which was directed by The Avengers director Joss Whedon. This set up Selvig's role in that film.[6] After also appearing in Thor: The Dark World and Avengers: Age of Ultron, Skarsgård noted in February 2015 that he had one more Marvel film in his deal, that he would not be appearing in Thor: Ragnarok, and that he possibly could appear in another Avengers film.[5]
Other appearances
- In the video game Lego Marvel Super Heroes, Selvig is mentioned by S.H.I.E.L.D. Deputy Director Maria Hill in the prelude to a story level within the game.
- Dr. Selvig appears as a playable character in the 2016 video game Lego Marvel's Avengers.
- During the 2016 "Avengers: Standoff!" storyline that ran in the comic books published by Marvel Comics, the Earth-616 version of Dr. Erik Selvig made his debut. He is a Danish doctor and S.H.I.E.L.D. Agent who is positioned in the gated community of Pleasant Hill.[7] He and Baron Zemo are teleported to the Himalayas by Kobik.[8]
References
- ↑ "Erik Selvig character profile". Retrieved September 21, 2015.
- ↑ Cheney, Alexandra (December 29, 2010). "Stellan Skarsgard on 'Thor,' 'The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo,' and Swedish Films". The Wall Street Journal. Archived from the original on July 4, 2011. Retrieved December 30, 2010.
- ↑ O'Hara, Helen (October 5, 2009). "Stellan Skarsgard Joins Thor". Empire. Archived from the original on October 21, 2011. Retrieved October 21, 2011.
- ↑ "Thor Movie: New Release Date! May 6, 2011". Marvel.com. January 7, 2010. Archived from the original on March 10, 2014. Retrieved February 6, 2014.
- 1 2 Leane, Rob (February 25, 2016). "Stellan Skarsgård is in Avengers: Infinity War, but not Thor 3". Den of Geek. Archived from the original on February 25, 2016. Retrieved February 25, 2016.
- ↑ Hewitt, Chris (May 20, 2011). "Stellan Skarsgard Talks Thor Sting". Empire. Archived from the original on July 5, 2011. Retrieved May 23, 2011.
- ↑ Spencer, Nick (w), Bagley, Mark (p), Hanna, Scott (i). Avengers Standoff: Welcome to Pleasant Hill #1 (April 2016). Marvel Comics.
- ↑ Spencer, Nick (w), Acuña, Daniel; Unzueta, Angel (p). Avengers Standoff: Assault on Pleasant Hill Omega #1 (June 2016). Marvel Comics.