MCU: 15 most perfectly cast actors in the Marvel Cinematic Universe
Marvel Studios’ THOR: RAGNAROK..Loki (Tom Hiddleston)..Photo: © Marvel Studios 2017
5. Tom Hiddleston
Character: Loki
There are times when comic book adaptations gift you with an antagonist so dazzling that, in spite of all the heinous things they’ve done, you can’t help but root for them. Heath Ledger’s Joker, Vincent D’onofrio’s Kingpin and Tom Cavanagh’s Reverse-Flash: what these great villains all have in common is that they are so alluring in everything that they do and somehow, just somehow, they manage to make us see the world from their point-of-view. As great as these rich characters are, our allegiance to them is based on the strength of each respective actors’ incredible performances. All of the above (and more) applies to Tom Hiddleston’s performance as Loki.
Not only does Hiddleston look like his comic book counterpart, especially when he’s kitted out in him king uniform (horns and all), he’s so darn charismatic on screen. All you have to do is look at the strength of his performance in 2011’s Thor when, in the space of two hours, he manages to intrigue, entice and captivate us as the character undergoes quite the emotional journey from hero to villain.
Whether he’s assisting his brother fighting against evil or the very evil that his brother must fight, Loki never fails to grab attention and is, in many ways, one of the most beloved characters in the entire Marvel Cinematic Universe. While good writing obviously plays a major part in that, it’s unlikely that fans would be quite as taken with him if it were not for the strength of Hiddleston’s performance.
Loki may have had some evil intentions during the course of his run in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, but Hiddleston effortlessly had us completely understanding the character’s motivations at all times and, dare we say it, empathizing with him.
A good villain holds our attention (and that’s something Loki was always capable of), but a great villain, however, steals the show – and that’s exactly why Hiddleston was the perfect choice here, because when he’s on-screen, it’s impossible to look away.