Alan Rickman Inspired Tom Hiddleston When Playing Loki
It’s been nearly 13 years since Tom Hiddleston first graced the screen as Loki in the 2011 film ‘Thor.’ As the actor reminisces, stepping into the shoes of Marvel’s god of mischief required drawing inspiration from some unlikely movie characters.
During the PaleyFest 2024’s Loki cast panel, Hiddleston shared insights into his preparation for the iconic role. He revealed that studying Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Hans Gruber in the 1988 film ‘Die Hard’ and James Mason’s character Phillip Vandamm in the 1959 thriller ‘North by Northwest’ played a significant role in shaping his approach.
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“These characters are all about control and revenge,” Hiddleston explained, adding, “I was drawn to those performances as a child… They were so charismatic, even though they weren’t at the centre of those films.”
While Loki initially played a supporting role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe’s ‘Thor’ and ‘Avengers’ films, the mischievous trickster took centre stage with his spin-off show on Disney+ in June 2021. Across two seasons, Hiddleston’s portrayal helped elevate Loki from a mere antagonist to a beloved antihero, captivating audiences with his journey across space and time.
In season 2, alongside co-stars Ke Huy Quan, Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw and Sophia Di Martino, Loki became a pivotal figure in preserving different timelines. His evolution from a selfish character to one willing to sacrifice everything to save the universe marked a poignant conclusion to his character arc.
Executive producer and writer Eric Martin expressed his satisfaction with the culmination of Loki’s journey, praising Hiddleston’s emotional depth in portraying the character.
Despite the epic finale, fans remain hopeful for the show’s continuation. Executive producer and director Aaron Moorhead hinted that the decision ultimately lies with Hiddleston and his willingness to revisit the role.
“We love where we ended it,” Moorhead said. “We were told to close the book, and we haven’t heard anything different since.”
