The charismatic antihero of Marvel’s Cinematic Universe, Loki has captivated audiences with a complexity that dances between villainy and vulnerability. The man behind the God of Mischief, Tom Hiddleston, recently shared some intriguing insights into his preparation for the role, crediting the late, great Alan Rickman’s performance as Hans Gruber in the 1988 action classic ‘Die Hard’ as a source of inspiration.
During a captivating panel at PaleyFest 2024, Tom Hiddleston, now 43, reflected on his journey as Loki, the Norse god of mischief. Spoilers for ‘Loki’ Season 2 already in the air, Hiddleston delved into his creative process, revealing that he had looked to iconic film characters to flesh out his portrayal of Loki for the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU). Along with Rickman’s portrayal of Gruber, Hiddleston also examined James Mason’s Phillip Vandamm in the 1959 thriller ‘North by Northwest’.
Hiddleston explained, “Those are all characters that are about control and revenge.” He went on to share his childhood admiration for such roles, noting, “I just was so drawn to those performances as they seemed to be having such a wonderful time playing these antagonists, I suppose. And that was part of the charm. They were so charismatic, even though they weren’t at the center of those films.”
Loki’s status as a secondary character in the MCU’s ‘Thor’ and ‘Avengers’ films changed dramatically with the 2021 debut of his self-titled series on Disney+. The show, now in its second season, features stars such as Owen Wilson, Ke Huy Quan, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, and Sophia Di Martino.
Executive producer and writer Eric Martin expressed how Hiddleston’s deep emotional investment brought the second season to a gratifying conclusion.The art of character development is complex and often requires actors to seek inspiration from a myriad of sources. In Hiddleston’s case, the joy and playfulness inherent in Rickman’s and Mason’s portrayals provided a blueprint for his own approach to Loki. Hiddleston’s appreciation for the charisma of these characters, even though not the focal point of their films, mirrors his own journey portraying Loki, a character who has arguably become one of the most beloved figures in the MCU.
“That was the very basis of the season I set out to write, and seeing that all culminate in that and Tom, just bringing every last bit of emotion to it, it just made everything [worthwhile],” executive producer and writer Eric Martin told PEOPLE at the event.
The actor recounted his preparation, including revisiting Loki’s journey across the MCU films, he found a connection to his own life’s chapters and friendships. This introspection fed into his understanding of Loki’s evolution and the ‘Glorious Purpose’ he ultimately embraced.
Relevant articles:
– Tom Hiddleston Was ‘Inspired’ by Alan Rickman’s ‘Playfulness’ in ‘Die Hard’ When Playing Loki
– Tom Hiddleston recalls how he took inspiration from Alan Rickman, James Mason to play Loki, The Hindu, Tue, 16 Apr 2024 11:46:00 GMT
– Tom Hiddleston discusses Glorious Purpose in ‘Loki’ season 2, AIPT, Sun, 14 Apr 2024 22:05:00 GMT
– Tom Hiddleston on his inspirations for playing Loki in the MCU, TOI Etimes, Tue, 16 Apr 2024 08:04:00 GMT