Before Thanos even clicked his fingers and wiped out half of all life across the universe, there was an equally devastating ‘snap’ as he broke the neck of the MCU’s favourite anti-hero. Loki has appeared to die many times before, but this one is looking more and more like it was final. There was swift comfort for fans, when a spin-off Loki limited series was announced for the upcoming Disney+ streaming platform. Shock new rumours from a major US site, however, have thrown huge doubts over whether Hiddleston will actually appear in the show.
Lucky UK fans already probably know that their idol will be very busy for all of March to June (plus the month before), headlining a major theatre event. Hiddleston will star in Harold Pinter’s Betrayal at the Harold Pinter Theatre from March 5 for twelve weeks.
With major talks already surrounding the parallel Vison and Scarlett Witch TV series, it seems strange to announce a Loki series when the apparent leading man is otherwise occupied for the next six months.
And that was before That Hashtag Show announced: “It seems that the series may find him narrating the events of his own life, presumably from the afterlife (Valhalla) following his death at the hands of Thanos in Avengers: Infinity War.”
So, what is going on?
Last November, Disney big boss Bob Iger said; “We’re also currently developing a live-action Marvel series about Loki, starring Tom Hiddleston playing the character he’s made so famous.”
This clearly implies the British star will be seen front and centre on the screen.
Of course, it doesn’t rule out him simply doing the voice over, or perhaps topping and tailing the series (or each episode) with brief scenes linking a potential main storyline with a younger Loki the main star.
The report speculates that Disney may bring the comic book Young Loki character to the small screen.
This would also handily help to introduce the entire Young Avengers storylines, especially if the Vision and Scarlett Witch show introduces their children, fellow Young Avengers Wiccan and Speed. This would then also make sense of rumours that an older version of Scott Lang’s (Ant-Man) daughter has been cast for Avengers 4. Cassie Lang also becomes the Young Avenger hero Stature in the comic book series.
All this excitement, however, will not compensate for the massive disappointment if Hiddleston doesn’t fully incarnate Loki for one last hurrah.