The Diversity Test: Thor The Dark World

Thor: The Dark World (2013)

I feel like that first year after The Avengers Marvel films faltered a little bit.  I'd imagine plenty would disagree with me about Iron Man 3.  Not sure as many would argue against my less than glowing opinion of Thor: The Dark World.

Test

Main Characters

Thor (Chris Hemsworth)

Thor's back and this time he's not ducking Jane!  Plus he has to team up with Loki, which leads to most of the film's high points.

Dr. Jane Foster (Natalie Portman)

Our favorite astrophysicist is struggling to move past her favorite Asgardian while continuing her research in England.  During her investigation, she just so happens to find the very world-shattering substance everyone is looking.  Congratulation, walking MacGuffin!

Loki (Tom Hiddleston)

Can we just have Loki forever?  No one wants him to ever die, right?  Even if he killed his own father?  I will see every Thor movie, every Marvel movie, no matter how bad, if I know Loki shows up in it. 

Malekith (Christopher Eccleston)

Who cares?  LOKI!  Seriously, though, what a waste of Christopher Eccleston.

Supporting Characters

Odin (Anthony Hopkins)

Odin is back and this time... he does nothing because his sons have to rebel to get the plot moving.  You the man, Odin!

Frigga (Rene Russo)

Frigga gets to be a badass this time!  And then she promptly gets killed.  Okay then.

Lady Sif (Jaimie Alexander)

Sif also gets to be badass!  And throw Jane a jealous side eye!  And then also disappear from the film.

Volstagg (Ray Stevenson)

We get to meet Volstagg's kids!  And he also promptly disappears from the second half of the film.

Fandral (Zachary Levi)

Fandral gets recast!  And then the film does almost nothing with him.  So much for Sif and the Warriors Two.  Why Warriors Two, you ask?  Well...

Heimdall (Idris Elba)

Heimdall's just here to exposit about elves and kick starship ass.  And he's all done explaining about elves.  

Algrim (Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje)

Malekith's right-hand elf who mutates himself into a terrifying beast to infiltrate Asgard.  As usual, the good guys need better security.

Darcy Lewis (Kat Dennings)

The comic relief intern gets her own comic relief intern!  Hijinks ensue!

Dr. Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsård)

Selvig's suffering his own New York PTSD after all that mind control in The Avengers.  And he's crazy.  More hijinks ensue.

Ian Boothby (Jonathan Howard)

Darcy's bumbling but hunky intern.  Doesn't always think before he acts.

Phew, lot of supporting characters.  Onto the minors!

Minor Characters

Hogun (Tadanobu Asano)

Hogun gets to fight in the movie's first big battle... and then he stays home.  Have fun sitting this one out, Hogun!

Eir (Alice Krige)

One of Asgard's top scientists/magicians.  Underestimates Jane's intelligence.

Tyr (Clive Russell)

One of Odin's security force.  

Miscellaneous

• The London kids who show Jane and co. the gravitation anomalies are nice and diverse, representing London well.
• The after credits scene introduces Benicio del Toro as The Collector and Ophelia Lovibond as Carina, both of whom will get expanded roles in Guardians of the Galaxy.

Scores

Do Odin, Darcy, and Selvig belong in the main characters section?  Probably.  Wouldn't improve much on the main character score of 25. Unless you're talking about characters which means 100! You go, Thor!

Overall

White men (cast): 9 (3 main, 5 supporting, 1 minor)

White women: 5 (1 main, 3 supporting, 1 minor)
White men (characters): 2 (2 supporting)
Non-WHMs portrayed by white guys: 7 (Thor, Loki, Odin, Volstagg, Fandral, Malekith, Tyr)

POC

Men: 3 (2 supporting, 1 minor)

Women: 0

Women DS: 29

Diversity Score (cast): 47
Diversity Score (characters): 88

Tabulation

Iron Man: Main, 50; Women, 19; Total, 55

The Incredible Hulk: Main, 25; Women, 33; Total, 56

Iron Man 2: Main, 60; Women, 21; Total, 36

Thor: Main, 33 (100); Women, 27; Total, 47 (87)

Captain America: The First Avenger: Main, 25; Women, 7; Total, 21
The Avengers: Main, 25 (50); Women, 21; Total, 29 (57)

Iron Man 3: Main, 50; Women, 23; Total, 45

Thor: The Dark World: Main, 25 (100); Women, 29; Total, 47 (88)

Next: 2014 makes you forget all about 2013 with Captain America: The Winter Soldier