Tom Hiddleston has shared how a DC supervillain influenced his portrayal of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. The actor, known for his Golden Globe-winning role as the God of Mischief, explained that watching Tim Burton’s “Batman,” featuring Jack Nicholson as the Joker, played a significant role in shaping his career.
During a recent appearance on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Hiddleston remarked, “Truthfully, I don’t think I would’ve played Loki without that film. The way Jack Nicholson played the Joker made such an impact on my imagination.” He noted that, while Nicholson’s character is a villain, his charisma and enjoyment in the role left a lasting impression.
Hiddleston credited Nicholson for being a major inspiration when he first took on the role of Loki. Reflecting on his earlier comments from a 2013 Entertainment Weekly interview, he expressed admiration for various iconic villains, including Nicholson’s Joker, Alan Rickman in “Die Hard,” and James Mason in “North by Northwest.” Hiddleston emphasized, “I loved villains who enjoyed themselves,” highlighting how these characters informed his own portrayal of Loki.
On the podcast, he revealed that he and director Kenneth Branagh experimented with different performance styles while filming the first Thor movie, including attempts inspired by Nicholson, Peter O’Toole, and Clint Eastwood. Hiddleston explained that these varied takes provided Branagh with a range of options during editing, allowing for a deeper exploration of Loki’s complex character.
Looking ahead, Hiddleston is set to reprise his role in the upcoming Marvel film “Avengers: Doomsday.” In the most recent season of “Loki,” his character transitioned to the God of Time, a responsibility that sees him holding the multiverse together, a task that adds a layer of intrigue and anticipation for his future in the MCU.
Hiddleston’s journey from admiring the Joker to embodying one of Marvel’s beloved characters showcases the powerful influence of film across genres and generations. This meaningful connection between heroes and villains enriches storytelling, making Hiddleston’s contribution to Loki both unique and deeply rooted in cinematic history.