Loki Reportedly Adds Another Huge Star
Richard E. Grant is re-teaming with the Mouse House to star alongside Marvel's most chaotic god.
In a new report by Discussing Film, the outlet claims that its sources have confirmed the Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker actor signed his name on the dotted line to appear on the upcoming Disney+ series Loki, alongside Marvel fan-favorite Tom Hiddleston.
While the Academy Award-winning Grant has reportedly already completed talks and signed onto the project, the details around his role are currently still under wraps. Considering the British actor's history with playing characters of the good, zany, and not-so-great variety — including his recent role as the First Order's Allegiant General Enric Pryde — it's somewhat hard to pin down what side of the God of Mischief's plans Grant will end up on. But with previous TV credits on genre hits like Game of Thrones, Doctor Who, Downtown Abbey, A Series of Unfortunate Events, and AMC's new mystery drama anthology Dispatches from Elsewhere, whatever Grant's part is, it's sure to be a compelling watch.
The Disney+ role will mark the second time Grant has stepped into the world of Marvel superheroes, villains, and chaotic anti-heroes, though his first on the small screen. Back in 2017, the actor appeared alongside Hugh Jackman in Logan, the only Wolverine stand-alone that critics thought positively about. In it, Grant played Dr. Rice — one of the scientists pursuing Laura (Dafne Keen), a young mutant known as X-23 who has a deep connection to the weary and aged Wolverine.
In light of the Disney+ series' other casting announcements, Grant may be one among many pursuing Loki in his journey — or chase — across time and space.
Grant joins an already star-studded cast for the 2021 Disney+ series
Grant's addition to the Loki casting line-up is sure to increase fans' faith in the upcoming streaming series led by Hiddleston, a fellow Brit who came into mainstream fame playing the Avengers villain and Thor's adopted brother beginning with 2011's Thor. Since the news that Marvel was developing a Loki show first broke back in September 2018, other major announcements about who would be joining the trickster's Disney+ series in the Marvel Universe have trickled in. Among those already cast is funnyman Owen Wilson and A Wrinkle in Time actress Gugu Mbatha-Raw, as well as Yesterday's Sophia Di Martino and young newcomer Cailey Fleming.
Who Owen Wilson is playing in the MCU is still up in the air, but there are theories about the actor taking on the mantle of Tomorrow Man, Jack Frost, or even an alternative version of Loki. Only a bit more is known about what to expect from Mbatha-Raw, whose 2019 independent superhero drama Fast Color is being adapted into an Amazon series. While Marvel has confirmed no character-specific information, the news of her announcement did confirm that she will be the show's female lead.
As for Di Martino, Marvel has also been mum about her part, but based on leaked set photos, the actress is rumored to be playing Lady Loki (via HeroicHollywood). Fleming's character has even less known about her, but IMDb at least lists the character name of "Young Sylvie" — though that could very well just be a code name.
While Grant's role rests firmly in the same "little known" category as his co-stars', it's safe to assume his character will in some way be involved in Loki's time-jumping shenanigans.
Loki's going on a time- and space-hopping journey
Many got their first look at the upcoming Loki TV series, directed by Kate Herron (Sex Education) and showrun by Michael Waldron (Ricky & Morty), amid the litany of Super Bowl 2020 movie trailers and TV spots. During a 30-second Disney+ teaser, things appeared a little heated after Hiddleston's smiley Loki threatened to "burn this place to the ground." It's not clear what place he was referring to, but it's likely where the character picks up after Avengers: Endgame.
The God of Mischief's cinematic arc has been complicated by several fake deaths in addition to a very real one at the end of Avengers: Infinity War. What happened to Loki in Endgame, including his revival and disappearance with the tesseract, were seemingly meant to set up the TV series Disney announced before fans knew about his big-screen fate. The TV show isn't set to debut on the streaming service until spring 2021, but Disney+ and Marvel have released a handful of teases that clue audiences in on what Richard E. Grant's character is walking into.
A brief synopsis confirms "the mercurial villain" will resume his role as God of Mischief "after the events of Avengers: Endgame." Then, thanks to a Disney investor presentation, the series first look teased a time-traveling adventure, which was later supported by the debut of the series logo at San Diego Comic-Con. Its use of different typefaces seemingly points to Loki's interactions with different cultures and times.
Marvel has offered few other details, but knowing Richard E. Grants range and the talents of his co-stars, it's going to be an exciting — and even hilarious and chaotic — journey through time and space.