How does doing Thor compare to doing Chekhov?
Acting is acting whether you’re doing it in Asgard or in 19th century Russia.
Have you suffered from sibling rivalry such as Loki and Thor?
I have two sisters – one older, one younger – and I love them very much. Unlike with Loki and Thor, I’ve never tried to kill them. My relationship to the brotherhood aspect of the Thor and Loki relationship is that I have friends who have become honorary brothers. It’s something everyone understands. Whether it’s Cain and Abel or Edmund and Edgar in King Lear, warring brothers is a classic storytelling theme.
Your younger sister is an actress. When she said she wanted to act did you feel she was encroaching on your territory?
No, I said she should go for it. I think everyone should pursue their dreams. Whether you want to play football, act, sing, become a writer or whatever you have burning inside you as you’re growing up, you should pursue it. I’m quite protective of her. I worry that sometimes the business doesn’t see her intelligence and wisdom. We work in a business that’s often predicated on how you look. She’s so grounded, I’m sure she’ll be fine.
What are the other pitfalls of acting?
I don’t think there are any. What people could perceive as pitfalls are things I enjoy. I enjoy not knowing where the next job is coming from. I love opening a new diary on New Year’s Day and thinking: ‘I have no idea what’s going to happen this year.’ I could work in a country I’ve never been to or learn new skills for a role. The breadth of experience is where the juice is for me. In the past year I’ve played the Norse god of mischief, a British cavalry officer in World War I and a fighter pilot. A part of me has experienced all those things. There’s something amazing about being able to step into these people’s shoes.
Are you worried Loki will overshadow your career?
Terence Stamp is often remembered for General Zod in Superman 2… I hope not. In one way it’s a huge compliment as Terence Stamp’s General Zod has been taken to the hearts and minds of many people who love films. They’ve just cast Michael Shannon as Zod in the new Superman and people are saying: ‘No one can beat Terence Stamp.’ I’m 30 so I have a few years ahead of me yet to do other things. I think War Horse will surprise people. In Thor I’m the villain and in War Horse I play a decent, kind artist who becomes a cavalry officer. There’s something gracious at the heart of the character, which is a world away from what I’m doing in Thor.
Are you going to move to Hollywood?
I enjoy going to and fro. I live in London and Los Angeles is a wonderful place to go to in the winter. LA gets a terrible rap as a shallow place that’s all about t**s and teeth and silly dogs in Beverly Hills. When I go there, I live on the coast in Venice, which is full of the most amazing technicians – the best cameramen, sound designers, visual effects and concept artists. It’s not as superficial as people think.
Have you had any on-stage mishaps?
On the opening night of Cymbeline there was a prop bottle of champagne that was supposed to stay on stage for the first act. I bumped into the table, the champagne bottle tipped over and the first act turned into a bunch of actors trying to avoid a puddle of ginger beer.
What are you scared of?
I’m terrified of sharks. Nature has designed the ultimate killing machine. I love swimming in the sea and don’t think about sharks until I’m the furthest person out from the shoreline and then the John Williams Jaws theme starts in my head.
Acting is acting whether you’re doing it in Asgard or in 19th century Russia.
Have you suffered from sibling rivalry such as Loki and Thor?
I have two sisters – one older, one younger – and I love them very much. Unlike with Loki and Thor, I’ve never tried to kill them. My relationship to the brotherhood aspect of the Thor and Loki relationship is that I have friends who have become honorary brothers. It’s something everyone understands. Whether it’s Cain and Abel or Edmund and Edgar in King Lear, warring brothers is a classic storytelling theme.
Your younger sister is an actress. When she said she wanted to act did you feel she was encroaching on your territory?
No, I said she should go for it. I think everyone should pursue their dreams. Whether you want to play football, act, sing, become a writer or whatever you have burning inside you as you’re growing up, you should pursue it. I’m quite protective of her. I worry that sometimes the business doesn’t see her intelligence and wisdom. We work in a business that’s often predicated on how you look. She’s so grounded, I’m sure she’ll be fine.
What are the other pitfalls of acting?
I don’t think there are any. What people could perceive as pitfalls are things I enjoy. I enjoy not knowing where the next job is coming from. I love opening a new diary on New Year’s Day and thinking: ‘I have no idea what’s going to happen this year.’ I could work in a country I’ve never been to or learn new skills for a role. The breadth of experience is where the juice is for me. In the past year I’ve played the Norse god of mischief, a British cavalry officer in World War I and a fighter pilot. A part of me has experienced all those things. There’s something amazing about being able to step into these people’s shoes.
Are you worried Loki will overshadow your career?
Terence Stamp is often remembered for General Zod in Superman 2… I hope not. In one way it’s a huge compliment as Terence Stamp’s General Zod has been taken to the hearts and minds of many people who love films. They’ve just cast Michael Shannon as Zod in the new Superman and people are saying: ‘No one can beat Terence Stamp.’ I’m 30 so I have a few years ahead of me yet to do other things. I think War Horse will surprise people. In Thor I’m the villain and in War Horse I play a decent, kind artist who becomes a cavalry officer. There’s something gracious at the heart of the character, which is a world away from what I’m doing in Thor.
Are you going to move to Hollywood?
I enjoy going to and fro. I live in London and Los Angeles is a wonderful place to go to in the winter. LA gets a terrible rap as a shallow place that’s all about t**s and teeth and silly dogs in Beverly Hills. When I go there, I live on the coast in Venice, which is full of the most amazing technicians – the best cameramen, sound designers, visual effects and concept artists. It’s not as superficial as people think.
Have you had any on-stage mishaps?
On the opening night of Cymbeline there was a prop bottle of champagne that was supposed to stay on stage for the first act. I bumped into the table, the champagne bottle tipped over and the first act turned into a bunch of actors trying to avoid a puddle of ginger beer.
What are you scared of?
I’m terrified of sharks. Nature has designed the ultimate killing machine. I love swimming in the sea and don’t think about sharks until I’m the furthest person out from the shoreline and then the John Williams Jaws theme starts in my head.
He attended The Dragon School in Oxford and then went on to study at Eton College. He studied for his Classics degree at Pembroke College, University of Cambridge, earning a double first. In 2005, he graduated from the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.
Whilst at University of Cambridge, he was seen by the agency 'Hamilton Handell' in the play 'A Streetcar named Desire' and was signed. Following this, he was cast in his first television role in The Life and Adventures of _Nicholas Nickleby (2001). Hiddleston won his first film role as Oakley in Joanna Hogg's award-winning first feature, Unrelated (2007). His breakthrough role came when he portrayed Loki in the 2011 Marvel Studios feature film Thor (2011) and he reprised this role in The Avengers (2012)