Assuming you’ve already seen Thor, and stayed for the end of credits scene, you were probably left with a sense of WTF. Now lets assume you haven’t seen Thor. Beat it, because this article will be a big spoiler (**SPOILER ALERT!**).

After the credits roll we see Professor Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) meet Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson). Fury opens a briefcase to reveal…a blue glowing box? Loki (Tom Hiddleston) then appears in a reflection and commands Professor Selvig to “investigate the cube”. Sorry to disappoint, but the blue glowing box is not an Energon Cube and there will not be a Transformers/Avengers crossover film (although that would be quite nerdgasmic wouldn’t it).

So what is this blue box then? I’m glad you asked. It’s called the Cosmic Cube and it first appeared in a story that was featured in Tales of Suspense #79-81. Originally it was a device created by a terrorist group called A.I.M. and could transform any wish into reality. It was later discovered that the Cosmic Cube is a sentient being with limitless power, because Marvel is badass enough to say screw storyline continuity.

If you are up to date on all your Marvel lore, besides being one hell of a lover, you probably know that the Cosmic Cube plays heavily into Captain America’s and Red Skull’s storylines. You would also know that Dr. Doom built a time machine to recapture the Cosmic Cube from the ocean floor, where Red Skull (a.k.a. Butterfingers) dropped it in a battle against Captain America. Dr. Doom then tried to use the cube to defeat the Fantastic Four. But you probably don’t know that the Cosmic Cube was behind the Justice League/Avengers crossovers.

That being said, I don’t think the cube will make a major impact in the Captain America movie. I believe we will get to see a bit of the cube’s power (via Red Skull), but the major impact it will have will be in Avengers.

Check out this awesome fan poster made by Mad Butcher

Filming has already started on the Avengers movie and this is what we know: Thor (Chris Hemsworth), Loki (Tom Hiddleston) Hawkeye (Jeremy Renner), Black Widow Scarlett Johansson), Captain America (Chris Evans), Iron Man (Robert Downey Jr.), Mark Ruffalo (Bruce Banner/Hulk although Lou Ferrigno voices the Hulk), Nick Fury (Samuel L. Jackson), and Professor Erik Selvig (Stellan Skarsgård) are all set to appear in the movie.

We also have a little bit of info Joss Whedon posted in his blog: “Tomorrow we start shooting (I THINK I’m legally permitted to say that). Day one. That’s right. We’ll be shooting the pivotal death/betrayal/product placement/setting up the sequel/coming out scene”. That post was obviously intended to be taken tongue and cheek, but I think he is giving us something to think about.

It’s completely obvious right? Fury will assemble the Avengers to confront a Skrull invasion (who also have ties to the Cosmic Cube). Loki will continue to manipulate Professor Selvig until he can harness the power of the cube. The Avengers will fall apart upon defeating the Skrull invasion, due to Iron Man’s and Captain America’s personality conflicts. And honestly, the team never trusted the Hulk. He’s just too much of a loose cannon. However, they’ll pull back together in time to battle a Cosmic Cube powered Loki, but not before calling upon Spiderman, Wolverine, the Fantastic Four (with a different Human Torch), and Silver Surfer to join the effort. The final Loki battle will be a who’s who of the Avengers mythology, and all of us Marvel nerds will have to change our pants.

Oh, and because Joss Whedon is directing, Buffy will be there!