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Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Loki Laufeyson,[1] also known by adoption as Loki Odinson and by his title as the God of Mischief,[2][3] is a character portrayed by Tom Hiddleston in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise. Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name and the Norse mythological deity of the same name, Loki was introduced in the film Thor (2011) and has since become a recurring staple in the MCU. As of 2023, the character has appeared in seven films and headlined the live-action series Loki (2021), while alternate timeline versions, or "variants", of Loki from within the multiverse have also appeared in Loki, the animated series What If...? (2021)[5] and the animated short film The Good, the Bart, and the Loki (2021).[6]

This article is about the character. For the Disney+ series, see Loki (TV series).

Loki

Thor (2011)

Tom Hiddleston
Ted Allpress (young; Thor)

Loki Laufeyson[1]

Loki Odinson
Dan B. Cooper
Variant L1130 (2012 variant)

Jotunn (Frost Giant)

  • God of Time
  • God of Stories
  • God of Mischief[2][3]
  • Prince of Asgard
  • King of Asgard
  • Rightful King of Jotunheim

Sylvie (2012 variant)

Jotunheim

Asgardian

As in the comics, Loki is depicted as Thor's adoptive brother and nemesis, a master of Asgardian magic and sorcery, and a supervillain who regularly returns from apparent death. Loki's jealousy of Thor for being the crown prince of Asgard brings them into conflict and, following a failed plot to take the Asgardian throne for himself, Loki attempts to conquer Earth by subjugating humanity, inadvertently resulting in the formation of the Avengers. Though he is defeated and imprisoned, Loki manages to replace his adoptive father Odin as the ruler of Asgard. He becomes an antihero when he aids Thor in saving Asgard from Hela, but is killed by Thanos soon after. A variant of Loki from 2012 is later recruited by the Time Variance Authority (TVA), encounters a female variant of himself named Sylvie, and ultimately sacrifices his freedom to save the multiverse from destruction.


Loki is considered a fan favorite character in the franchise and Hiddleston's performance has received praise from critics and audiences.

A variant of Loki dubbed "Boastful Loki" (portrayed by ) wields a hammer and makes wild exaggerations about his accomplishments (including claiming to have defeated Captain America and Iron Man, and obtained the Infinity Stones). Boastful Loki attempts to betray the Classic, Kid, and Alligator variants by allying with President Loki to rule the Void, but fails.

DeObia Oparei

A reptilian variant of Loki dubbed "Alligator Loki" lives in the Void with fellow Loki variants. As he cannot speak, he gets closer to Kid Loki who treats him as a de facto pet. Loki head writer included him "because he's green", describing it as an "irreverent" addition. Director Kate Herron used a "cartoony" stuffed alligator during filming, allowing actors to interact with it, with the onscreen version rendered using CGI.[47]

Michael Waldron

A younger variant of Loki dubbed "Kid Loki" (portrayed by ) created a Nexus event by killing Thor. He considers himself the king of the Void although it seems only Classic Loki and Alligator Loki respect this title.[48][49] He is based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name. He may be a reference to a story that Thor told Bruce Banner and Valkyrie in Thor: Ragnarok about a time when Loki attacked and stabbed him when Loki and Thor were eight.

Jack Veal

An elderly variant of Loki dubbed "Classic Loki" (portrayed by ) grew old on an isolated planet after tricking Thanos and faking his death. Classic Loki has the ability to conjure larger, more elaborate illusions than Loki.[40] This version sacrifices himself when creating an illusion of Asgard to allow Sylvie and Loki to enchant Alioth. His costume was inspired by his 1960s comic design by Jack Kirby.[40]

Richard E. Grant

A variant of Loki dubbed "President Loki" (portrayed by Tom Hiddleston) created a Nexus event by becoming a in his timeline. He attempts to rule the Void with an army of other variants, and is at odds with Kid Loki.[49] Hiddleston called President Loki "the worst of the bad bunch", describing him as "the least vulnerable, the most autocratic and terrifyingly ambitious character who seems to have no empathy or care for anyone else".[50] His costume design and characterisation was inspired by the comic miniseries Vote Loki by Christopher Hastings.[51][52]

president

A series of holographs of Loki variants are shown in a scene in the TVA, including one with the blue skin of a Frost Giant, another wearing the yellow jersey of the leader and holding the race trophy, a third with a Hulk-like heavily muscled form, a fourth long-bearded variant with hooves, and a fifth appearing more like a traditional viking.[53]

Tour de France

Multiple Loki variants are shown to be part of President Loki's crew, including "Glamshades Loki" (the aforementioned long-bearded variant with hooves), "Poky Loki", "In Prison Loki", and "Bicycle Loki". These variants were named by costume designer Christine Wada.

[54]

Characters of the Marvel Cinematic Universe

Norse mythology in popular culture

Loki

Loki (2012 variant)

on Marvel Database, a Marvel Comics wiki

Loki

on Marvel.com

Loki