Tom Hiddleston Reflects on Playing Loki for Over a Decade
In a recent installment of the Actors on Actors series, one of Marvel’s most beloved performers looked back on his time playing the iconic villain, as Tom Hiddleston reflects on playing Loki for over a decade.
There is no doubt that few expected the character of Loki to become as integral and beloved a character as he became more than a decade after his introduction into the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Source: Marvel Studios
A character that has always had a place in the Marvel comics universe, Loki was always a very interesting villain, but never quite saw himself in the upper echelon of menacing entities that struck fear into readers.
All of that changed, however, when Tom Hiddleston first put on the green cape and golden horned crown to embrace the role that he would make iconic.
Source: Marvel Studios
Debuting first in the original Kenneth Brannagh-directed Thor film, Hiddleston’s Loki would find himself as the main antagonist to the original Avengers film; being etched in time forever as the harbinger for the mad titan, and the first villain the AVengers would ever face.
That was a long time ago, and with years of development and appearances in various films, Loki is as popular as he has ever been, and has firmly entrenched himself as among the most beloved characters in Marvel lore.
Source: Marvel Studios
In the most recent installment of Variety’s Actors on Actors program speaking with Lily James, Tom Hiddleston reflected on playing Loki for over a decade, and how his approach to the character has evolved.
Initially commenting on just how long he’d had the role, Hiddleston stated, “Loki’s changed so much over the years for me. I was cast when I was 29, and I’m 41.”
Source: Marvel Studios
Hiddleston continued, “Initially, with the wigs and the costume, I was always trying to break out of the mask, Let something honest come through. by the time we got to the series, Loki’s stripped of all the things that are familiar.”
He continued, “Immediately, he’s literally stripped and put in a jumpsuit, and his status is gone Everyone knows who the character is now. Let’s open him up and find new aspects of him and challenge the character to change and grow.”
Photo: Marvel
There is still more Hiddleston wants from the character, specifically in terms of his gender and sexual expression, stating, “In the MCU. Back from my early days of researching the character in myths, the identity of Loki was fluid in every aspect.”
He continued, “In gender, in sexuality. It’s an ancient part of the character, and it hadn’t emerged in the stories we’ve told. it’s a small step. there’s so much more to do. But the Marvel Cinematic Universe has to reflect the world we live in. Extraordinary character, in a way, to contain so much.”
Source: Marvel Studios
It is so fascinating to hear Hiddleston reflect on playing the character, but even more so to hear how much passion he still has for his development and exploration.
