What are the circumstances that will lead to the thespian version of Loki to make an encore performance? Read on to find out the details.
Thor: Ragnarok play
In Thor: Ragnarok, part of the opening scenes was the self-gratifying play in Asgard. Having taken over Asgard in the guise of Odin (Sir Anthony Hopkins), Loki (Tom Hiddleston) entertains himself by having the actors re-enact his version of the events in Thor: The Dark World. In this case, it is of Loki making the ultimate sacrifice to save Thor and stop the Dark Elves led by Malekith. Thor (Chris Hemsworth), returning from his mission to defeat the fire demon Surtur, and witnesses the proceedings. Much to Loki’s chagrin, his adoptive brother sees through his disguise as Odin. Thus, the ruse is dropped and Loki surrenders rather than getting pummeled by Mjolnir. The funny bit about the Asgardian play is that familiar actors portrayed the royal family. Sam Neill (Jurassic Park) played Odin, Luke Hemsworth (Chris Hemsworth’s brother) played Thor, and Loki himself is played by Matt Damon (Bourne Identity, Stillwater). The skit showed Damon, Hemsworth, and the rest hamming it up, especially during the dramatic death scene of Fake Loki. The entire sequence stuck in fans’ minds as one of the funniest bits from Thor: Ragnarok.
Tom Hiddleston nods in approval
But if there’s anyone who liked Matt Damon’s Fake Loki best, it would be the actor who played the real thing. Tom Hiddleston was asked in an interview, as part of the promotion for the Disney+ Loki series, what he thought about Matt Damon’s portrayal of his signature MCU character. Aside from Tom’s amusement, it appears he provided key suggestions to Damon during filming. Damon even mentions how Hiddleston informally coached him on what Loki would likely do and say. Speaking with Kevin McCarthy of ReelBlend, Damon shared his experience with Hiddleston on the set:
Had to show him my INTERSTELLAR tattoo and tell him it’s Christopher Nolan’s best film. His response: “That’s quite a statement!” Damon also shows me his own tattoos, talks STILLWATER, LOKI & more. Full interview: https://t.co/T5td32PjJz pic.twitter.com/YOheTkVq5G — Kevin McCarthy (@KevinMcCarthyTV) July 28, 2021
Glorious purpose
Talks about Matt Damon returning for another cameo as the Fake Loki had been circulating since Thor: Love & Thunder was announced. Nothing was confirmed during the pre-production stages of the film. However, back in April 2021, Chris Hemsworth shared a photo on the set of Thor: Love & Thunder with director Taika Waititi and Matt Damon through his Instagram: Although it does not show Damon in his Fake Loki regalia, this is virtual confirmation that the actor will be returning to the role for another go in the fourth Thor film. But the most definite confirmation was the recent interview Matt Damon had with SirusXM on YouTube. In the interview, the actor states: Damon added: While it is great that Damon is returning as the faux Loki, fans are wondering if the real deal is going to appear as well. After the events of the Loki series on Disney+, that might be a probability, depending on how Season 2 of Loki will inevitably come about. If it does happen, will it be a tearful reunion or will Thor make a fuss about Loki fooling him again? Directed by Taika Waititi, Thor: Love & Thunder stars Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Chris Pratt, Karen Gillian, Tessa Thompson, Jamie Alexander, Russell Crowe, Pom Klementieff, and Christian Bale. Taika Waititi also appears as Korg. Thor: Love & Thunder hammers its way to theaters on May 6, 2022.
