After the heartbreaking Loki season 2 finale, actor Tom Hiddleston addresses the character’s long journey and the implications of his time in the MCU.
Summary
- Tom Hiddleston reflects on the conclusion of Loki season 2, which effectively wraps up his story and potentially marks the end of his run as Loki in the MCU after 12 years.
- The Loki season 2 finale showcases the growth and redemption of Loki’s character, bringing all versions of the character full circle.
- While Hiddleston’s exit from the MCU is implied, there is still a possibility for Loki’s return in some form, especially considering the character’s knowledge of the multiverse and potential ties to Avengers: Secret Wars.
Actor Tom Hiddleston discusses the conclusion of Loki season 2 and his time in the Marve Cinematic Universe. Following the death of He Who Remains in the season 1 finale, season 2 revealed the dire consequences when the timelines are not put in check by the Time Variance Authority (TVA). Following many attempts to save the branched timeline, the TVA, and his friends, the God of Mischief realized what his “glorious purpose” was in Loki season 2’s ending. After making the ultimate sacrifice and becoming the God of Stories, speculations arose that Loki’s redemption arc is now completed, which could also suggest Hiddleston’s curtain call from the MCU universe.
In a recent conversation with Jimmy Fallon on The Tonight Show, Hiddleston shares how the Loki season 2 finale represented a full circle moment. He explains that while the finale neatly ties up his story in seasons 1 and 2, it also concludes “6 films, 12 episodes and 14 years” of his life in the MCU. Hiddleston also added that all through the various movies and shows where he plays Loki, his character was arrogant for the most part, only to rethink and rediscover his sense of purpose. Read his full comments below:
“If you haven’t seen it I won’t spoil it for you, but I will say this, it all comes full circle. It’s the conclusion to season 2. It’s also a conclusion to season 1 and season 2. It’s also a conclusion to 6 films, 12 episodes and 14 years of my life. I was 29 when I was cast. I’m 42 now. It’s been a journey. I do think in the finale there are echoes and resonances of every version of Loki I’ve played. And I think, without spoiling it, the episode is called Glorious Purpose. And in the first Avengers films, Loki comes down to earth, looks straight at Sam Jackson as Nick Fury and I say “I’m Loki of Asgard, I’m burdened with glorious purpose” and he’s arrogant, he’s hubristic, he’s puffed up, and he’s going to take over the world. And then it doesn’t go so well for him. We’ve all seen Infinity War, face to face with Thanos, not so glorious. At the beginning of season 1, Morbius played by Owen Wilson, the best ever. He basically shows Loki that the glorious purpose was a fallacy, and he gets kind of a second chance. And I think that was the most exciting thing about this show was seeing Loki trying to rethink and rediscover that sense of purpose we can all relate to. I think we all wonder if we’re in charge of our own story. Can a leopard change its spots? Do we have any free will?”
Will Loki & Tom Hiddleston Ever Return Following The Season 2 Finale?
While Hiddleston does not definitively confirm his exit from the MCU, his comment implies that his time as Loki has likely ended after portraying the character for over 12 years. Hiddleston first marked his debut as Odin’s adoptive son, Loki, in the Phase One movie Thor, in which the actor solidified his eminence as the jealous, power-hungry villain. After serving as the primary villain in The Avengers, his character development took a drastic turn in Thor: The Dark World, in which he slowly evolved to become a helping hand to Thor and Asgard. Thor: Ragnarok, Avengers: Infinity War, and Loki continued the depths of his complex character development, which soon garnered praise from Marvel audiences for showcasing the character’s growth and anti-heroism.
While Hiddleston’s final run seems hinted at in the season 2 ending, the conclusion may have also teased the story’s connection to Avengers: Secret Wars. Loki’s actions have likely set up the crucial building blocks to develop the conflicts that will plague the Multiverse Saga, which includes the anticipated wrath of the next big bad, Kang the Conqueror. Hence, this still opens the door for Hiddleston to make one last appearance since Loki is seemingly one of the few MCU characters knowledgeable about the multiverse.
Although Hiddleston’s reprisal in the future is still uncertain, executive producer Kevin Wright addressed the possibilities of Loki season 3, saying, “Season 2 was about closing that book, but there are many other books on the shelf for this character, and for this world.” So, despite the show’s tragic but poetic ending, there is some optimism for Loki’s return in some form in the future.
