Loki (Marvel Cinematic Universe)

Loki
Loki
Marvel Cinematic Universe character
	Tom Hiddleston as Loki at the 2013 San Diego Comic-Con
First appearance	Original:; Thor (2011); Alternate:; Avengers: Endgame (2019);
Last appearance	Original:; Avengers: Infinity War (2018)
Based on	Loki; by Stan Lee; Larry Lieber; Jack Kirby;
Adapted by	Kenneth Branagh; Alan Taylor; Taika Waititi; Ashley Miller; Zack Stentz; Don Payne; J. Michael Straczynski; Mark Protosevich; Joss Whedon; Zak Penn; Christopher Markus and Stephen McFeely; Christopher Yost; Craig Kyle; Michael Waldron;
Portrayed by	Tom Hiddleston; Ted Allpress (young; Thor)
In-universe information
Full name	Loki Laufeyson
Aliases	Loki Odinson; Dan B. Cooper; Variant L1130 (2012 variant)
Species	Jotunn (Frost Giant)
Title	God of Time; God of Stories; God of Mischief; Prince of Asgard; King of Asgard; Rightful King of Jotunheim;
Affiliation	Frost Giants; Chitauri; Revengers; Time Variance Authority (2012 variant);
Weapon	Daggers and throwing knives; Casket of Ancient Winters; Gungnir; Scepter (Mind Stone); Tesseract (Space Stone);
Family	Laufey (father); Odin (adoptive father); Frigga (adoptive mother); Hela (adoptive sister); Thor (adoptive brother);
Significant other	Sylvie (2012 variant)
Origin	Jotunheim
Nationality	Asgardian

Loki Laufeyson, also known by adoption as Loki Odinson and by his title as the God of Mischief, is a character portrayed by Tom Hiddleston in the Marvel Cinematic Universe (MCU) media franchise. Based on the Marvel Comics character of the same name, in turn based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name, Loki was introduced in the film Thor (2011) and has since become a staple in the MCU. As of 2024, the character has appeared in seven films, the live-action series Loki (2021-2023), the animated series What If...? (2021-2024), and the animated short film The Good, the Bart, and the Loki (2021).

As in the comics, Loki is depicted as Thor's adoptive brother and nemesis, a master of Asgardian magic and sorcery, and a supervillain who regularly returns from apparent death. Loki is jealous of Thor, the crown prince of Asgard, which brings the brothers into conflict. Loki plots to take the Asgardian throne for himself, but fails. He then attempts to conquer Earth, inadvertently driving the formation of the Avengers. Though defeated and imprisoned, Loki manages to replace his adoptive father, Odin, as the ruler of Asgard. He becomes an antihero when he helps Thor to save Asgard from Hela but Thanos kills him soon after.

A variant of Loki from 2012 is recruited by the Time Variance Authority (TVA) and encounters variants of himself, including a female variant named Sylvie, becomes a superhero and ultimately sacrifices his freedom to maintain the multiverse.

Loki is considered a fan-favorite character in the franchise; Hiddleston's performance has received praise from critics and audiences.