British actor Tom Hiddleston, known for his role as Loki in the MCU, revealed who influenced the formation of one of Marvel's most charismatic villains. His main reference point was Jack Nicholson as the Joker from Tim Burton's "Batman" (1989).
In the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Hiddleston noted that this image shaped his idea of a charismatic villain — a character that the viewer sympathizes with, despite his actions.
«Honestly, I don’t think I could have played Loki without this film. The way Jack Nicholson played the Joker greatly influenced my imagination. I understood that he was a villain, but he enjoyed it — he was charismatic, inventive, and absolutely free».
Hiddleston added that during the filming of the first "Thor", he deliberately kept Nicholson's performance in mind and discussed individual scenes with director Kenneth Branagh. At the same time, the team considered other references — in particular, the manner of Peter O'Toole and Clint Eastwood. It was the combination of these approaches that ultimately shaped the image of Loki familiar to viewers.
The character's next appearance is expected in the film "Avengers: Secret Wars", where Hiddleston, according to rumors, will once again play an important role in the history of the multiverse. The film is scheduled to premiere in theaters on December 18, 2026.