Tom Hiddleston, the star behind Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU), made surprising revelations during a recent interview, shedding light on the inspirations that shaped his iconic villain. In a conversation with the Happy Sad Confused podcast in January 2026, the British actor not only named his favorite Spider-Man but also pointed to a DC classic as the key to his performance. These statements are especially relevant now, as Hiddleston prepares for the highly anticipated Avengers: Doomsday, set for release in December 2026, showing how the past of superhero cinema still echoes in current productions.
The actor clearly explained how these films influenced him. When asked, Hiddleston was direct: his personal favorite is Tom Holland, with whom he built a relationship on Marvel sets. However, he went a step further and credited Tobey Maguire as the pioneer. "We are all here, in a way, because of Tobey Maguire. That film was the beginning of where we are," he stated. In this way, he acknowledges that the early 2000s trilogy opened doors for the entire genre. Soon after, he made an unexpected connection to the DC world, choosing Tim Burton's Batman (1989) as the best comic book movie of all time.
Jack Nicholson's Legacy on the God of Mischief
The most impactful revelation, however, came when Hiddleston detailed the direct influence of Jack Nicholson's Joker from the 1989 film on his portrayal of Loki. "I don't think I would play Loki without that film. The way Jack Nicholson played the Joker had a huge impact on my imagination," he confessed. In doing so, the actor connects the dots between the charm and malicious freedom of the DC villain and the construction of his own Marvel character. Therefore, every sardonic smile and mischievous attitude of Loki carries a conscious echo of Nicholson's performance.
These statements come at a crucial moment for the MCU, which is preparing for its next epic chapters. Despite the focus on new heroes and futuristic narratives, the foundation, as Hiddleston himself points out, remains in the classic works. Thus, the interview serves as a powerful reminder that pop culture is a continuous cycle of inspiration. As we await Avengers: Doomsday and a possible third season of Loki on Disney+, it is clear that the genre's greatness today is built on the shoulders of giants like Maguire, Keaton, and Nicholson.