Who’d have thought that have thought that the villain in 2011’s THOR would become such a beloved character in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, perhaps even more so than the god of thunder himself? But then, who’d have thought that a Scandinavian deity would become one of the most iconic bad guys in the history of American comics?
That character is the trickster god Loki and his massive popularity can be explained by two words: Tom Hiddleston. The English actor created in Loki a character more troubled than all-out chaotic evil, due in part to his realisation of his unusual familial situation (born to a frost giant yet falsely raised by the Asgardian king Odin as his son) and the rivalry with his more popular sibling Thor. Something was obviously done right as, despite the character being sucked into a black hole at the end of THOR, he was invited to return to the chair of lead antagonist in 2012’s AVENGERS ASSEMBLE and is now returning for this year’s THOR: THE DARK WORLD. In fact, fans love Loki so much that they want him to have his own film.
In a recent interview, Hiddleston revealed his three favourite movie villains, each of which influenced the crafting of his character. He says they were so integral to the creation of Loki that he is, in his own words, ‘standing on the shoulders of giants’. So, who are they?
‘I’m standing on the shoulders of the villains I loved as a child and take my hat off to. Jack Nicholson as The Joker in Tim Burton’s BATMAN, and I bow even lower for Alan Rickman in DIE HARD and James Mason in NORTH BY NORTHWEST. I mean, Alan Rickman, particularly in that film, was having such a good time and was so likeable.’
That last comment is certainly true for Hiddleston, who is clearly having a whale of a time every second that the god of mischief is on screen. These three characters all brought more to their characters than a standard and dark maliciousness. They loved being evil, and so did their actors. The same is very much the case for Loki.
‘I guess it’s in my make up as a fan, as someone who loved movies as a child. I loved villains who enjoyed themselves.’
The true definition of Loki can be found in the most logical of places – a dictionary:
‘I remember I looked up “mischief” in the dictionary and the first entry is “an inclination to playfulness, a desire to tease.” And then actually further down the line, like entry No. 5 is “destruction and damage.” So you have this one word mischief which encompasses all these things and that’s the role I’m playing. It’s my job to turn up on set and have a great time and I hope that’s something that’s appealing: you know, Loki’s having a good time and so am I.’
Loki may have sent an enchanted suit of armour to shoot up New Mexico with a giant laser. He may have invited a (surprisingly small) army of aliens riding flying motorbikes to attack New York City. But at least he knows how to have a laugh. That is why we love him.
THOR: THE DARK WORLD is directed by Alan Taylor and stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Idris Elba and Anthony Hopkins. It hammers its way into cinemas on 30th October.
Source: EW
