Tom Hiddleston Says Loki Was More Than a Role—It Was the Turning Point That Made Him Who He Is Today

For Tom Hiddleston, Thor wasn’t just a career milestone—it was a life-defining moment. In a new Vanity Fair video released June 13, 2025, the actor looked back on scenes from his career, lingering on the one that changed everything: Loki, the god of mischief.

“This changed my life, this film, no two ways about it,” Hiddleston said. “In many ways, it’s defined huge chapters of my life.” At just 29 when cameras rolled on Kenneth Branagh’s 2011 Marvel blockbuster, Thor marked his first major film role. It also introduced the world to his magnetic, unpredictable portrayal of Loki—a complex “boundary-crosser” and “shape-shifter” whose blend of chaos, vulnerability, and charm earned Hiddleston the Empire Award for Best Male Newcomer.

A Defining Scene with Anthony Hopkins

Hiddleston singled out one scene in particular—a tense, emotional exchange between Loki and Odin, played by Anthony Hopkins—as a turning point in shaping the character. The moment, he said, allowed audiences to see beyond Loki’s mischief into his deep emotional wounds, setting the tone for a portrayal that would span more than a decade across films and the Disney+ series Loki (2021–2023).

The Branagh Factor

Hiddleston credits Kenneth Branagh with the opportunity that launched his Hollywood career. The two had worked together in the 2008 stage production Ivanov, and when Thor came around, Branagh urged him to audition—initially for the title role. While Chris Hemsworth ultimately claimed Mjolnir, Branagh saw something undeniable in Hiddleston and cast him as Loki instead. “It completely changed the course of what is available to me to do,” Hiddleston reflected.

Beyond the MCU

The role proved to be more than a Marvel calling card. After Thor, Hiddleston moved seamlessly between prestige dramas like The Deep Blue Sea (2012) and blockbusters like Kong: Skull Island (2017), building a career that balanced commercial success with artistic depth. But no matter the genre, Loki remained a touchstone—a role that “defined huge chapters” of both his professional and personal life.

A Legacy Still in Motion

Hiddleston’s gratitude for Thor has been echoed in recent media coverage, including a June 17 Geo.tv piece, and supported by his career trajectory documented in IMDb and other records. From early indie work like Unrelated (2007) to becoming a fixture in one of cinema’s biggest franchises, his journey underscores how a single role can transform an actor’s path.

For Hiddleston, Loki isn’t just a character—he’s a creative and personal landmark. Fourteen years on, that first step into Asgard continues to shape the work, choices, and legacy of one of Britain’s most compelling actors.