While the success or failure of a film has much to do with its writing, one of the key components that elevates it from good to great is the right casting of actors. Tom Hiddleston who first played the charismatic and conniving Marvel villain Loki in the Thor films, is widely considered as the perfect choice to embody the nuances of the character.
Kevin Feige and his MCU team comprising of writer Zach Stentz and director Kenneth Branagh who made Thor in 2011, sat down for an extensive brainstorming session to discuss the various casting choices at their disposal. When it came to Loki, distribution partner Paramount Pictures had specific criteria for the character and Hiddleston ensured that he was the ideal candidate.
How Tom Hiddleston Became The Perfect Choice For Loki
British star Tom Hiddleston has an impressive pedigree of work under his belt. Known to be a popular Shakespearean actor, the Marvel star’s charismatic personality and acting chops saw him bag the marquee role of Loki in the MCU. The character first appeared in 2011’s Thor which was directed by Kenneth Branagh, who already had experience working with Hiddleston in the detective series Wallander. Marvel Head Kevin Feige too, had witnessed The Night Manager actor’s magic on the London stage and was extremely keen to get him on board in some capacity in the MCU.
In extensive discussions with Feige and Branagh, veteran writer Zack Stentz elaborated on the ultimatum that Paramount Pictures had given them with regard to the character of Loki that helped them decide that Hiddleston was the right choice. In an interview with Vanity Fair, Stenz said,
“The singular mandate above all other mandates was that they wanted Loki to be the villain for The Avengers. They literally said, ‘If you fail at everything else, please just give us a villain as good as Magneto in Loki.’”
As it turned out, Tom Hiddleston proved beyond doubt that there was no other actor better than him to portray the mischievous menace of Loki. With the character now getting his own standalone series which is currently in Season 2, Loki and Hiddleston are a match made in heaven.
Tom Hiddleston On Loki’s Appeal With Audiences
In 2021, Tom Hiddleston took his MCU character Loki onto the streaming space for a standalone series on Disney+. The British actor was grateful that this gig which started 10 years prior, was instrumental in cementing his place as a superstar in the commercial blockbuster space.
Speaking of the popularity and appeal of the character, Hiddleston said that it was the God of Michief’s vulnerabilities and relatable qualities of playfulness and wit that audiences associated with, despite being an antagonist. The celebrity also went on to say that the charm and charisma that Loki possessed under his villainy, was a unique feature of the character.
