'Supervillain' Tom Hiddleston steals Thor's thunder

'Supervillain' Tom Hiddleston steals Thor's thunder

Thor who?

Loki - played by Tom Hiddleston - has officially stolen the God of Thunder's, um, thunder. The puny god with the long black hair and golden horns may be no match for big brother Thor's bulging biceps, but he's the one to whom this writer will willingly prostrate.

Even the titular hero has to turn to his villainous sibling for help to save the world in Thor: The Dark World. Opening here Oct 31, the sequel to 2011's Thor picks up from the events of last year's The Avengers, which saw Thor (Chris Hemsworth) taking Loki back to Asgard for permanent incarceration for the crimes committed in his attempt to take over Earth.

Yet, when humanity and his beloved mortal love Jane (Natalie Portman) are threatened by evil dark elf Malekith (Christopher Eccleston), Loki, the God of Mischief, is his only hope.

Loki, a vital part in the Thor and The Avengers movies, is one of the most beloved villains in movie history - he's even got an MTV Movie Award to prove it!

And his global popularity is down to one reason - Hiddleston.

Just how did this British actor-turned-heart-throb become the frenzied object of fandom for millions of moviegoers worldwide?

1 He's got substance

Born in London, the 32-year-old has an educational background that puts us mere mortals to shame. He studied at Eton College, then Pembroke College at the University of Cambridge, followed by the Royal Academy of Dramatic Art.

Hiddleston cut his teeth on the stage and the small screen in the UK before he caught the attention of Hollywood producer-director Steven Spielberg, who cast him in War Horse (2011), which incidentally also starred rising Brit hottie Benedict Cumberbatch.

Next, Hiddleston will be taking on the West End production of William Shakespeare's Coriolanus, which starts Dec 6 and runs till February next year.

Then he's off to Toronto for Guillermo del Toro's Crimson Peak, of which Hiddleston told Sydney Morning Herald "is a very, very scary horror film" he's "looking forward to".

2 He's sexy and he doesn't know it

Hiddleston - who earlier this year was rumoured to be dating US actress Jessica Chastain then British music executive Jane Arthy - was named the Sexiest Actor Right Now by Total Film magazine readers. A few weeks ago, the bachelor came in second in Empire magazine's 100 Sexiest Movie Stars 2013, losing the title to Cumberbatch.

He was clearly taken aback when he received Total Film's coveted title.

"It's insane. It basically doesn't make any sense. When I was a teenager, my sister had a poster of Brad Pitt from Legends Of The Fall on her bedroom wall," he said.

"And doesn't Robert Pattinson inspire mayhem and delirium wherever he goes?"

3 He's like Loki, minus the crazy

In a recent interview with China-based entertainment-lifestyle site Mtime, he described Loki as one who's "inclined to be playful, to tease, to charm".

"Part of his nature is wanting to have fun," he added.

Judging from the lanky actor's recent Australian and Asian Thor: The Dark World publicity tour, Hiddleston seemed to be describing himself. He has been nothing but obliging when it comes to media requests, from doing impersonations to dancing. He even sang the Disney song, The Bare Necessities, during an interview in China.

"The response (to Loki) was just beyond anything I'd ever imagined," Hiddleston told Sydney Morning Herald. "I don't know what it is. I think maybe it has something to do with (the fact) I like him so much."

Hemsworth, like everyone else, is in awe of Hiddleston, praising his co-star for bringing Loki to life in a way that audiences can't help but love the bad guy.

"Loki's the villain but we love him. Tom brought such empathy to Loki that audiences were conflicted," said Hemsworth.

4 He's got a big heart

Hiddleston has been an active volunteer and supporter of Unicef, the United Nations' children's agency, since January this year, when he went on a trip to see Unicef's work in Guinea, West Africa.

For five days in April, he took part in Live Below The Line, an anti-poverty campaign that aims to raise awareness and money, during which he had to live on food and drink that cost less than £1 (S$2) a day.

Hiddleston documented his account on video and an extensive blog for Harper's Bazaar UK. He wrote: "I live a very active, very blessed life. My parents had sufficient income, not only to feed me regularly and to feed me well, but also to send me to good schools.

"Live Below The Line made me think about food in an entirely different way. I had to plan better, to budget better. I didn't waste a penny or a crumb. It was a test of mind and willpower. It was a test, simply because I am unused to being hungry." Money from Live below The Line goes to charities, including Unicef UK.

5 He's beloved everywhere

He has over 720,000 (and counting) followers on Twitter, and the amount of mileage he gets on Tumblr is incredible, with fans sharing and re-sharing countless blogs and videos and posting notes of adoration for the sexy Brit.

Hiddleston doesn't possess the conventional idol good looks or hunky bod like his The Avengers cast-mates Hemsworth and Chris Evans, but what he lacks in that department he makes up for in personality, charm, wit and manners - loads of it. During his various fan meets and interviews, as seen in countless YouTube videos, Hiddleston comes across as very genuine and delightful - his secret to success.

Can't get enough of the yummy Brit? There's so much more of him on the Internet. Here are some of the highlights.

Tom Hiddleston on Twitter

Take a peek at his personal side from his many regular tweets, the latest of which are goofy photos of him travelling in Asia on Thor: The Dark World's publicity tour.

https://twitter.com/twhiddleston

Tom Hiddleston the Dancing King

During a promotional trip to South Korea, he was asked which part of his body he's most confident of. He said his feet, because without them, he won't be able to dance. Then he gamely stood up and demonstrated his nifty moves to thousands of fans gathered at Seoul's Times Square.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B9uJMDNNF_o

Cookie Monster learns a lesson from Tom Hiddleston

Proving that his alter-ego is also a hit with the kiddies, he filmed an utterly adorable clip with Sesame Street's Cookie Monster where he showed the blue, fuzzy creature the value of delayed gratification.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=b_ubVVnWglk

Tom Hiddleston as Loki at Comic-Con 2013

Possibly the video that kickstarted the whole Tom Hiddleston phenom, when he appeared at the fan convention in full costume as Loki. Hear the "Loki! Loki!" chants. We bet the crowd kneeled when commanded.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=toPstPIcGnI

Tom Hiddleston impersonating Owen Wilson

He was asked to portray US actor Owen Wilson as Loki during a Q&A session with Popcorn Taxi, a regular Australian film event where film-makers and film enthusiasts interact. Never one to say no, he did a spot-on impression - right down to the nasal voice and body language. Hilarious!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Yqc0UMwNKmg

joannes@sph.com.sg


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