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Tom Hiddleston has become low-key the best actor in the MCU (avclub.com)

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[–]Paralta 841 points842 points  (49 children)

Yeah his acting is noticeably good. Him and Owen Wilsons buddy cop thing they have going on is dynamite

[–]Prawn1908 408 points409 points  (40 children)

Idk if this is an unpopular opinion or not, but imo Loki is the last original and genuinely entertaining thing Marvel has going on.

[–]Oskarikali 173 points174 points  (20 children)

I actually think it is the best live action Marvel content. I didn't even like Loki in the movies, but the show is incredible.

[–]jorrylee 46 points47 points  (6 children)

I am absolutely loving the show and I did not particularly enjoy the rest of MCU.

[–]new_account_wh0_dis 7 points8 points  (1 child)

Yeah I started watching it and there wasnt a scene I didnt like. 10/10. Generally didnt like much of mcu and stopped watching years ago but coming back watching this its so good.

[–]Kuhney 2 points3 points  (2 children)

Loki is the only one that did something original in its script. Name one other show or MCU movie that DIDN’T feature a drawn out cgi battle feet at the end.

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    [–]dehehn 17 points18 points  (2 children)

    I'm always surprised by people who say they don't enjoy it. Or it's not at least in their top 3 of the shows. It's far and away my favorite. Though Wandavision has a great first 2/3

    [–]holy_plaster_batman 29 points30 points  (4 children)

    Loki is to MCU what Andor is to Star Wars

    [–]immaZebrah 27 points28 points  (0 children)

    Now idk if I'd go that far, Loki is pretty good tho.

    [–]Spider-man2098 16 points17 points  (0 children)

    It’s… not though. You can’t even compare the writing, and if you could Loki isn’t in the same league. I don’t think. Without the charisma of Hiddleston and Wilson, I don’t think Loki is nearly as good as it seems. It’s still good though! Just… Andor is something else.

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      [–]Prawn1908 5 points6 points  (3 children)

      I agree I wasn't a huge fan of the character Loki in the movies (though not in any part due to Tom's portrayal) - I really have never been a big Marvel fan (all my Marvel fan friends will tell you I've always been a harsh critic of the movies). So I'm not really one to pick the best, but for me at least GotG vol. 1 is still my favorite by quite a bit. The characters were so cool and rich and the story was simple but well executed and compelling and the overall tone and visuals just popped so hard.

      I really do love Loki though and it's getting closer as it goes on. IMO Marvel is at its best with these totally "out-there" concepts with super unique concepts that they can just run with and be "colorful" without getting mired up in trying to stay in the real world. For me at least that's where a lot of past Marvel stuff lost me. (Also the writing in Loki just has life and doesn't feel like the empty drivel they've been churning out post-Endgame.)

      [–]Gmoney86 4 points5 points  (1 child)

      Being out there is exactly the feeling I get with Loki. The various MCU movies played like different genre films and Loki’s WTF’dness, and all around great acting and art direction, lands really well. It feels new and unique and just absurd enough without feeling completely not plausible in universe. I also feel that it’s not targeted at children but at older fans who aren’t looking for edginess but who’ve been on the journey for a while.

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          [–]DalbyWombay 32 points33 points  (0 children)

          Loki works because it's clearly made by people who understand they're making a TV show, not a 8 hour movie

          [–]Cosmic-Warper 10 points11 points  (8 children)

          Agreed. Nothing else from Marvel is worth watching except for Loki. Even if the character is giga nerfed in the show the dynamic between the actors is so good

          [–]lospollosakhis 2 points3 points  (0 children)

          His character has great depth and layers - he’s the most interesting and is conflicted in whether to be good or bad.

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            [–]Npr31 51 points52 points  (5 children)

            Just his facial expressions when (EDIT:) Mobius was trying to pretend he knew who Orbourous was when they first found him in Ep 1 was incredible. He plays ‘that friend being a bit of a shit’ so perfectly

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              [–]Alastor3[🍰] 3108 points3109 points  (183 children)

              has become?

              he was always

              [–]PointOfFingers 1071 points1072 points  (80 children)

              Best thing in the Thor movies. Best character in Avengers. Thor Love and Thunder was the continuation of a buddy comedy series without the funny one.

              [–]getyourcheftogether 51 points52 points  (1 child)

              Let's do get help!

              [–]kronosdev 35 points36 points  (0 children)

              You know I hate get help.

              [–]RatInaMaze 50 points51 points  (7 children)

              Robert Downey Jr as Tony Stark is also just the best. It’s up there with Professor X and Wolverine for near perfect portrayal.

              [–]thefalseidol 8 points9 points  (5 children)

              But Hiddleston is still the strongest ACTOR.

              [–]RatInaMaze 5 points6 points  (3 children)

              Yea, those scenes of him watching his life in the TVA were really good. Although don’t discount some of the scenes in End Game with RDJ, particularly the ending.

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                  [–]EvolutionaryBeing 215 points216 points  (55 children)

                  I've followed all the Marvel films up to Endgame. Thor L&T went on my skip list as soon as I realized there was no Loki.

                  [–]tin_dog 181 points182 points  (52 children)

                  Thor L&T was the Batman & Robin of the MCU. I like both when I'm drunk enough.

                  [–]EmperorOfAwesome 195 points196 points  (26 children)

                  20 minutes more of Christian Bale being a menace and it’s a solid flick

                  [–]mondaymoderate 117 points118 points  (13 children)

                  More Gorr! Less Korg!

                  [–]xXThreeRoundXx 72 points73 points  (9 children)

                  I’m always confounded when they eliminate a major villain in a single movie. You just spent an hour of backstory to introduce an awesome villain that you can empathize with, played by an outstanding actor, to kill them off in a single movie.

                  [–]I_BUY_UNWANTED_GRAVY 81 points82 points  (6 children)

                  Because the actors they pick do it for a big paycheck and have enough leverage to just sign on for one movie.

                  Christian Bale and Cate Blanchett don't wanna be bogged down with multiple superhero movies.

                  [–]unitedfan6191 16 points17 points  (2 children)

                  Bale say in an interview (or multiple interviews) that he would love to play the character again.

                  “I don’t have any goodbye and thank you unless other people say to me ‘goodbye and thank you, please never revisit this again’ then I’ll take their word for it,” Bale said. “But otherwise a good story is a good story. A good film is a good film. And a good director is a good director. And I’m open to any of those ideas.”

                  https://www.washingtonpost.com/comics/2022/07/07/christian-bale-gorr-thor-love-thunder/

                  Maybe there’s other reasons he said it (to not disappoint/disrespect CBM fans who may pay to watch his other stuff by pretending he’s above doing these movies again, or if you’re cynical, as a negotiation tactic with Disney/Marvel to leave the door open for an ever bigger paycheck next time, etc.), but I believe he has at least some affection for the role and would want Marvel to not screw it up with his character next time.

                  I believe and hope there’s a chance he’ll be back one day, either as Gorr or another character.

                  [–]xXThreeRoundXx 12 points13 points  (0 children)

                  Yeah that makes sense. Gorr could have been amazing.

                  [–]1CommanderL 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                  I imagine if you gave them good enough writting and let them act their hearts out they might consider it

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                      [–]duaneap 17 points18 points  (2 children)

                      Ah, Korg… the purest recent example of too much of a good thing.

                      [–]merelyadoptedthedark 5 points6 points  (1 child)

                      Taika Waititi got too high on his own supply and thought he was the breakout star of Ragnarok.

                      He also thought he could write a good Marvel movie because all the improv worked so well on Ragnarok.

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                        [–]TwoHeadedPanthr 34 points35 points  (7 children)

                        It wasn't campy enough, and Christian Bale didn't come to play. The tone was ALL over the place and Taika clearly didn't give a shit about telling a good story. Batman & Robin is batshit from start to finish, and that's what is great about it.

                        [–]RepresentativeZombie 3 points4 points  (2 children)

                        Taiki likes to find his movies in the editing room. He films wildly different versions of scenes, and decides which ones to use based on audience reactions. Usually this works great. Other times it doesn't. By the time he realized it wasn't working, it was too late to fix things.

                        [–]divide_by_hero 7 points8 points  (1 child)

                        The tonal shifts in that movie are nothing short of baffling. Watching a child literally die on screen followed by Thor being a fucking goofball throwing out quips like he's freaking Jack Sparrow is so jarring

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                            [–]dinoroo 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                            I really thought Loki would somehow he in it. They missed an opportunity.

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                              [–]slickestwood 33 points34 points  (1 child)

                              It sounded like they cut up to an hour out of L&T and I think they cut out the wrong bits. That final product couldn't have been anyone's vision.

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                                [–]QuietThunder2014 54 points55 points  (3 children)

                                I’ll see you one Hiddelston and raise you one Matt Damon.

                                For real though, David Tennent was damn amazing as the Purple Man but it was only for a season and a few flashback episodes.

                                [–]grubas 37 points38 points  (1 child)

                                That's cause DT is the MCU standard basically, get a REALLY good actor to play a villain.

                                Like Ragnarok had Cate Blanchett.

                                [–]Scudamore 13 points14 points  (0 children)

                                "Build a statue for me! With my helmet on, with the big bendy horns!"

                                [–]blacklite911 58 points59 points  (5 children)

                                Him and Paul Bettany always had the chops. Also, Chadwick Bosman in a bio flick

                                [–]lkodl 19 points20 points  (4 children)

                                people talk about how Boseman wasn't the highpoint of Black Panther 1, but if T'Challa had been a real person, and it was a biopic, you know he'd have brought the heat.

                                [–]ell_hou 4 points5 points  (1 child)

                                Boseman was definitely a highpoint in Civil War, so I figure the writing or directing of Black Panther just didn't let him flex his acting chops.

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                                  [–]nobondjokes 62 points63 points  (9 children)

                                  That scene where Loki confronts Odin in the first Thor film...I remember watching that in the cinema and wondering who the hell this guy standing toe to toe with Sir Anthony Hopkins was and where can I see more of him?

                                  [–]Alastor3[🍰] 48 points49 points  (5 children)

                                  Have you watched The Night Manager? He was amazing in this! Hugh Laurie as a villain too!

                                  [–]nobondjokes 8 points9 points  (4 children)

                                  Yup, absolutely loved it, and can't wait for season 2!

                                  [–]Alastor3[🍰] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

                                  is there one announced? I've heard talks for it years ago but at this point, I dont think it's happening

                                  [–]nobondjokes 5 points6 points  (1 child)

                                  https://deadline.com/2023/02/the-night-manager-season-two-amazon-bbc-tom-hiddleston-1235269817/

                                  At the very least, it's in the works. I'm not sure if any filming has been done for it, I know Tom cut his hair a few months back in a very Jonathan Pine style and there were rumours he was filming for it in Greece earlier this year, but we'll see what happens!

                                  [–]Alastor3[🍰] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                  wow I haven't seen this one! Thanks!

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                                    [–]Mgiernet 3 points4 points  (1 child)

                                    Please check out The Hollow Crown.

                                    [–]nobondjokes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                    Seen it many times, thanks ;)

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                                      [–]VanimalCracker 226 points227 points  (27 children)

                                      Low key?

                                      How many other MCU series are in their plural season? It's not low key when you lean into it. Did Florence Pugh even get her own show yet?

                                      Title might as well be. "The show that Disney is most invested in has had the highest return"

                                      [–]wojar 195 points196 points  (13 children)

                                      And lose out on using low key as a pun for Loki?? Never!!!

                                      [–]VanimalCracker 27 points28 points  (12 children)

                                      That's extremely lazy writing.

                                      [–]koei19 51 points52 points  (8 children)

                                      Tell that to Neil Gaiman

                                      [–]TwoHeadedPanthr 19 points20 points  (2 children)

                                      I didn't pick up on that till the end of the book lol, because I had never said his name out loud. I figured out Wednesday right away, but Low key was staring me right in the face.

                                      [–]HchrisH 9 points10 points  (0 children)

                                      Same. Wednesday was super obvious, and somehow Low Key flew under the radar.

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                                        [–]VanimalCracker 9 points10 points  (4 children)

                                        I'm writing him a stern letter as we speak.

                                        Dude needs taken down a peg, IMO

                                        [–]Funandgeeky 9 points10 points  (0 children)

                                        Gaiman: “No! I’ve been taken down a peg! A FULL PEG!”

                                        [–][deleted] 6 points7 points  (2 children)

                                        MF named Ikaris "Ike Harris" and Makkari "Mark Curry" I love him to death but he needs to just stop playing with Marvel names

                                        [–]inksmudgedhands 10 points11 points  (1 child)

                                        He wrote the name "Low-Key Lyesmith." Low-Key is a literal smith of lies. Gaiman just couldn't help himself.

                                        [–][deleted] 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                        He's a menace!

                                        [–]VagueSomething 8 points9 points  (1 child)

                                        Fitting for MCU post Endgame then.

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                                          [–]winehedaThe 100 33 points34 points  (3 children)

                                          I think they used low key because it’s similar to Loki…

                                          [–]craziedave 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                          She got her own movie. Blackwidow wasn’t for Scarlett Johansson it was Florence Pugh’s character origin story

                                          [–]indignant_halitosis 26 points27 points  (6 children)

                                          Florence Pugh should get her own show, though. She’s the best part of Black Widow and Hawkeye. I’d even say replace Natasha with Yelena in the Avengers going forward.

                                          [–][deleted] 16 points17 points  (0 children)

                                          Hawkeye and White Widow needs to be a show like yesterday, Pugh and Steinfeld were great together

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                                              [–]MundanePlantain1 15 points16 points  (0 children)

                                              take out the MCU IP and Loki is a stand alone great SF series.

                                              [–]ImAlwaysFidgeting 11 points12 points  (8 children)

                                              When Whedon made The Avengers, one of the biggest reasons often cited for the success was that he chose a solid "bad guy" when picking Loki. One that was both familiar and interesting.

                                              It basically said that The Avengers worked because of Hiddleston. Which basically translated to the MCU succeeded because of Hiddleston.

                                              [–]ghoonrhed 3 points4 points  (7 children)

                                              And he was the designated exception to the "boring villain" until like Homecoming with the Vulture.

                                              [–]DecoyOne 26 points27 points  (1 child)

                                              He was always good, but it wasn’t clear he was the best until he acted so well we literally thought he was an alligator.

                                              [–]Gingalain 12 points13 points  (0 children)

                                              There is a joke in the American Gods books where a character is called Low-key. Turns out it was Loki all along. I think this is a play on that.

                                              [–]jeremycb29 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                              Idk David Tennant counts now. He is still the best villain. Well not best as in good, but fucking awful.

                                              [–][deleted] 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                              Literally after Thor everyone loved his character. I mean the avengers all came together against LOKI.

                                              [–]djseifer 2 points3 points  (1 child)

                                              For all time.

                                              [–]Alastor3[🍰] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                              Always

                                              [–]For-All-the-Marbles 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                              Tom was always, which is why he has his own series now. RADA graduate, theater-trained, BAFTA Newcomer Award, Lawrence Oliver Award for Best newcomer in a play (playing 2 different characters in the same play!), Golden-Globe winner, Emmy-nominated in his first Broadway play - it’s almost as if Tom knows his craft!

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                                                [–]TheOneCalledMartin 208 points209 points  (12 children)

                                                Been everybody's favourite villain since Thor (2011)!

                                                [–]joshhupp 81 points82 points  (4 children)

                                                The thing that I love about him is that he is obviously such a great actor for the part that they've slowly turned him into a hero and the MCU is better for it

                                                [–]One-Eyed_Wonder 7 points8 points  (3 children)

                                                I really don’t like how they fast-tracked his development in the show. Like they basically wanted to use his character development from the point that he died but then grabbed him at a point way earlier in his character arc and just played him a video of the rest of his life and were like “there you go, you’re a good guy now”.

                                                Compare this to Days of Future Past, where they desperately try to get the younger versions of Magneto and Prof. X to work together but it can’t stick because they haven’t had the experiences required to bring them to the point they’re at in the future.

                                                [–]DanOSG 10 points11 points  (1 child)

                                                hey, they also put him in the ball kicking chamber for god knows how long, that can change a man pretty fast.

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                                                    [–]Driving_Crooner_ 1378 points1379 points  (41 children)

                                                    Low-key

                                                    Loki

                                                    GOD YOU'RE JUST SO FUCKING CLEVER

                                                    [–]carnifex2005 288 points289 points  (20 children)

                                                    That pun went over my head when I read American Gods. I felt so stupid when the reveal happened.

                                                    [–]ADanishMan2 76 points77 points  (2 children)

                                                    Low-key Lyesmith. I felt like such a dunce lol

                                                    [–]Caelinus 26 points27 points  (0 children)

                                                    Haha, that and Mr. Wednesday.

                                                    I figured them both out before the reveal, but I still smacked my head that it was not instant.

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                                                      [–]birdsofpaper 16 points17 points  (1 child)

                                                      Same, I couldn’t believe I missed it.

                                                      [–]ralanr 15 points16 points  (0 children)

                                                      Oh so I’m not the only idiot who enjoyed that book. Cheers!

                                                      [–]SuspendedInKarmaMama 30 points31 points  (10 children)

                                                      Me too. I got Mr. Wednesday immediately though.

                                                      [–]Parametric_Or_Treat 8 points9 points  (0 children)

                                                      Idiot savant gang checking in. Same

                                                      [–]Duggy1138 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                                                      Yeah. "Mr Wednesday," come on, I'm smart enough to see through that. Wait, Lowkey was Loki. Damn it.

                                                      Although it was harder to hide in the TV show.

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                                                        [–]Venik489 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                                        Same, my first thought was “lowkey? I think you mean highkey” didn’t even occur to me 😅

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                                                          [–][deleted] 36 points37 points  (2 children)

                                                          I understand the pun they’re going for but it’s kind of a silly thing to proclaim when people have been saying this since Avengers 1

                                                          [–]EllaIsQueen 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                                                          Lol I said in my head, “is it low-key though? Oh…… you bastard.”

                                                          [–]Cheddarface 21 points22 points  (3 children)

                                                          I laughed so hard I'm Hela Thor

                                                          [–]bob1689321 6 points7 points  (0 children)

                                                          Every time I watch that fucking movie and she says "I'm Hela", I expect her to say something stupid like "I'm Hella cool" then I have a little giggle. She says it just like "Hella" as if she's about to say something else after.

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                                                            [–]PlasticMansGlasses 2 points3 points  (1 child)

                                                            I was thinking “that’s not at all how low-key should be used in a sentence” before I realised the pun hahaha

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                                                              [–]ShouldersofGiants127 535 points536 points  (22 children)

                                                              Become? Dude has arguably been the best since he set foot in the MCU.

                                                              [–]randomCAguy[🍰] 114 points115 points  (10 children)

                                                              I’d say that RDJ is a better Tony Stark, but this guy is probably #2.

                                                              [–]bookwormaesthetic 192 points193 points  (7 children)

                                                              I wouldn't call that acting, he is mostly playing himself.

                                                              [–]Jonjoloe 82 points83 points  (0 children)

                                                              Even if we do consider it acting we don’t see the same range in performance as we do from Tom Hiddleston.

                                                              [–]MollyRocket 21 points22 points  (1 child)

                                                              Acting is more than just saying words in a specific way. There is craft and professionalism and collaboration. He might be “mostly playing himself” but if he wasn’t a good actor he wouldn’t be where he is. Can you just play yourself?

                                                              [–]dehehn 13 points14 points  (0 children)

                                                              I play myself everyday. And I'm terrible at it. I would never get cast as me if they made a movie about me.

                                                              [–]lkodl 26 points27 points  (0 children)

                                                              he's still acting, even if he's playing himself.

                                                              it's like performing music. some people play the guitar. some people sing. some people play the guitar while singing.

                                                              just different combinations of skills being presented.

                                                              at the end of the day, it's a question of how well the actor presented what was intended to be shown, and how well the audience bought it.

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                                                                  [–]JackOCat 32 points33 points  (10 children)

                                                                  Psst ...he is doing a pun.

                                                                  [–]CitizenCue 10 points11 points  (0 children)

                                                                  The pun works without saying “has become”.

                                                                  [–]Ringosis 14 points15 points  (2 children)

                                                                  The person you are replying to is disagreeing with the opinions stated in the article linked. Why are you pointing out there is a pun in the title?

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                                                                    [–]Just4theapp 157 points158 points  (2 children)

                                                                    Hiddleston has been a great actor for a long time. When he joined MCU he was already objectively one of the best actors there.

                                                                    [–]burtedwag 9 points10 points  (0 children)

                                                                    know your audience. around here, nothing existed before streaming.

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                                                                      [–]Welshy94Chuck 39 points40 points  (2 children)

                                                                      He's part of the best scenes in terms of acting in the first two thor movies, holding his own with Tony Hopkins when Loki learns about being a frost giant in 1 and delivers a fantastic performance with Frigga in his cell.

                                                                      He was charismatic and talented enough to play the shakespearian influence Branagh wanted in Thor and be recognised as the best part of the film, again be held up as the best part of a disappointing sequel, be equally compelling as the antagonist of the massive tent pole/gamble that was Avengers despite a complete writing/tonal shift and then showcased great comedic timing (with one more fantastic display of emotion when Odin calls Thor and Loki "his sons" in Ragnarok). His scene in Loki season 1 watching our Loki's life and his potential future was an absolute masterclass.

                                                                      There are plenty of fantastic performances from fantastic performers throughout the MCU. Hiddlestone has been top tier since the start. This headline is a decade late.

                                                                      [–]runalavellan 2 points3 points  (1 child)

                                                                      The scene with Odin in the first Thor movie instantly made him my favorite character! Also, Hiddleston did shakespearean plays on stage before so that played right into his cards. I must admit, I do sometimes wish for a little bit more of the older Loki we’ve seen (I’m a sucker for tragic characters), but the show is still easily the best thing the MCU has to offer right now.

                                                                      [–]cesarnomad 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                      I loved that scene. It really informs who Loki is throughout the series. He isn’t some villain who wants the throne. He is an angry emo kid who thinks his dad doesn’t love him. Every thing he does from that point forward is for his family. Even attacking earth can be seen as him trying to prove himself to a dad who spent his life conquering worlds.

                                                                      [–]grandramble 192 points193 points  (19 children)

                                                                      I mean... nobody's claiming his role in the MCU was a standout achievement, but Anthony Hopkins was in multiple Thor movies and he's one of the most celebrated actors since the invention of film.

                                                                      [–]bahumat42 92 points93 points  (15 children)

                                                                      You can debate if he was the best actor in a catalogue sense.

                                                                      But for best acting in the MCU. Its not even close. He's great as odin, but its not even close to hiddleston.

                                                                      [–]bob1689321 32 points33 points  (8 children)

                                                                      I don't know. He gives Odin the serious gravity that the character needs. He's captivating whenever he's on screen.

                                                                      Hiddleston's Loki is fantastic too of course but Hopkins in on another level.

                                                                      [–]Kaldricus 28 points29 points  (0 children)

                                                                      Also, Hopkins acting as Loki pretending to be Odin was perfect

                                                                      [–]GoblinRightsNow 47 points48 points  (3 children)

                                                                      Odin is a pretty standard "Wise Old Badass" role. He mostly sits on a throne (or a bench) and dispenses aphorisms. Hopkins is a good actor but there is very little to work with in the role. It's a type of character he's played many times before.

                                                                      Hiddleston's got a more complex character to work with, but it could easily come across as cheesy or unconvincing if he leans too hard into the charm or the menace

                                                                      [–]Caelinus 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                                                                      Or not hard enough. He walks a pretty fine line with that and does it masterfully, which is what makes him so compelling and believable despite his fantastic nature.

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                                                                        [–]melbbear 8 points9 points  (0 children)

                                                                        Let’s just agree that Hopkins acting as Loki acting as Odin is the best acting in the MCU

                                                                        [–]familyphotoshoot 7 points8 points  (1 child)

                                                                        Buddy, Hopkins has literally talked about going through the Thor scripts and marking entire scenes as "NAR" (No Acting Required). He doesn't give a shit and he isn't trying in those movies.

                                                                        [–]LurkerOrHydralisk 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                        Bro, he plays as good of a Loki as Loki. Did you not see him in the theater scene in Thor3?

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                                                                          [–]G_Regular 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                                                          It's not like he absolutely brought his A game for the Thor movies though. In the 3rd one he doesn't even stand up iirc.

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                                                                            [–]Keokuk37 75 points76 points  (0 children)

                                                                            I want more pizza dog

                                                                            [–]PPvsFC_ 17 points18 points  (1 child)

                                                                            Now watch him as Henry V in the 2012 Hollow Crown version of Shakespeare’s Henriad. Dude is fucking great.

                                                                            [–]moxieroxsox 90 points91 points  (20 children)

                                                                            I think there are many amazing actors in Marvel. RDJ, Scarlett J, Elizabeth Olsen, Angela Bassett, Chadwick Boseman (RIP), Florence Pugh, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Don Cheadle to name a few.

                                                                            Their material is just undercooked so their acting skills don’t really get to shine through.

                                                                            [–]readonlyy 43 points44 points  (4 children)

                                                                            Benedict Cumberbach

                                                                            [–]dinosaurfondue 30 points31 points  (6 children)

                                                                            Yeah they have insane talent in the MCU including legends like Michelle Yeoh, Glenn Close, Tony Leung, and Julia Louis-Dreyfus. The writing isn't always there for them as characters though.

                                                                            [–]beaute-brune 19 points20 points  (4 children)

                                                                            Look at what they did with Christian Bale

                                                                            [–]Cosmic-Warper 6 points7 points  (3 children)

                                                                            Thor 3 4 had a great premise and amazing cast and then they just piss it all away with poor writing and plot. Really sad to see

                                                                            EDIT: 4 not 3

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                                                                                [–]ContinuumGuy 56 points57 points  (1 child)

                                                                                Always has been

                                                                                [–]OonaPelota 40 points41 points  (0 children)

                                                                                🌎👨‍🚀🔫👨‍🚀

                                                                                [–]Wundei 13 points14 points  (2 children)

                                                                                Loki is easily the slickest, smoothest, most visual appealing, and best written series in MCU. I enjoy Loki above all the other MCU the same way I enjoy Andor above most of the Star Wars universe.

                                                                                [–]brodoswaggins93 61 points62 points  (10 children)

                                                                                I feel like I might get downvoted to hell for this but the single best performance across the MCU might just go to Christian Bale as Gorr. Nicole Byer reviewed the entire MCU and when she got to Love and Thunder she said that everyone else just showed up to dick around and get their Marvel paychecks but Christian Bale was gunning for an Oscar.

                                                                                [–]bob1689321 36 points37 points  (1 child)

                                                                                Christian Bale is my favourite actor. The dude is fantastic.

                                                                                To me, Love and Thunder is a movie that's basically a handful of very good scenes (most of which are all of Bale's scenes) that's then padded out with poor improv and comedy attempts. I wouldn't be surprised if Waiti only wrote 60% of a script with the expectation of ad-libbing the rest.

                                                                                [–]brodoswaggins93 16 points17 points  (0 children)

                                                                                I have quite a few complaints about that movie but my biggest one is that Gorr is absolutely wasted on it and does not get enough screen time at all.

                                                                                [–]ArcticFlava 12 points13 points  (1 child)

                                                                                100% agree, the writing and direction of the movie is awful but i have rewatched it at least a dozen times for Bales performance, he nailed the character while the rest phoned it in. As good as he was, what an utter waste of his talents to give him such bullshit to work with, and so little screen time. I'm also surprised i haven't seen a single mention of my man Evans, Winter Solider is the best super hero movie ever made, and CA First Avenger the best origin story movie ever, imo. Only beating Spiderverse for being live action.

                                                                                [–]Fastbird33 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                                                                                You can’t have Bale in a Waitititi joint. The two don’t go together.

                                                                                [–]Skittlebrau77 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                                                                He was incredible as Gorr. Just knocked it out of the park.

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                                                                                  [–]superdifficile 10 points11 points  (1 child)

                                                                                  Whole cast is great. I could watch Owen Wilson be mobius all day long.

                                                                                  [–]TheInfinityGauntlet 12 points13 points  (1 child)

                                                                                  I miss when the AV Club was worthwhile

                                                                                  [–]MrEntropy44 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  I see what you did there.

                                                                                  [–]oldmatelefty 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  Just hear to show some love for the show. I'm honestly not a big MCU fan, I watch them, but nothing comes close to how well they've done with this series.

                                                                                  [–]Laugh92 10 points11 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  Are we at all shocked that a guy who could pull off a double first in Classics from Cambridge and is a classically trained actor with years of experience under his belt at this point is the top MCU actor?

                                                                                  [–]Dantefire107 9 points10 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  Has become? Where have you been the last 10 years?

                                                                                  [–]DangerousAd1731 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  I've enjoyed the Loki series both seasons so far over most of the full movies after end game and post Covid

                                                                                  [–][deleted] 36 points37 points  (14 children)

                                                                                  Robert Downey JR for me (specifically Iron Man 3, Civil War & Endgame) but yeah he's been great

                                                                                  [–]cesarmac 42 points43 points  (12 children)

                                                                                  Hell nah. Have you seen interviews of RDJ? He literally plays himself in the MCU.

                                                                                  Not saying that Tony Stark isn't great or that he did a poor job but feel like it's the role where he is acting the least. He just takes his normal persona and kicks it up a notch or two.

                                                                                  [–]cosgrove10 54 points55 points  (7 children)

                                                                                  RDJ in tropic thunder actually shows how good he is. That came out the same year as IM

                                                                                  [–]cesarmac 38 points39 points  (3 children)

                                                                                  Yeah he was good in Oppenheimer also, not saying he's a bad actor I just think his portrayal of iron man is where he really probably acts the least in. It's just an extension of his own mannerisms and way of talking.

                                                                                  He's a good actor but I still wouldn't say he's the best actor in the MCU. I personally would give that to Benedict Cumberbatch (Kahn, Sherlock, the Imitation Game, the Mauritanian, Dr. Strange). You can see the nuances in the characters he plays.

                                                                                  [–]domdiggitydog 12 points13 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  I’m…going to allow that.

                                                                                  [–]142muinotulp 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  There's a book that came out recently that documents a lot of the early MCU production. It would seem RDJ had a lot of input on the Tony Stark character throughout- so he was somewhat writing his own character. It worked, of course. Interesting tidbit

                                                                                  [–]tripbin 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  bruh of all things were gonna praise him for Kahn? I guess he did the best with what they gave him but man what a whiff of casting and I like cumberbatch a good bit.

                                                                                  [–]crazyguyunderthedesk 7 points8 points  (0 children)

                                                                                  I was gonna say forget about tropic thunder, dude had been nominated for an Oscar before that.

                                                                                  But then I looked it up and... He's been nominated twice, the second being for tropic thunder.

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                                                                                        [–]Derfal-Cadern 15 points16 points  (1 child)

                                                                                        I don’t think he was ever low key. He was always the best outside of Downey and I’d argue Chris Evans.

                                                                                        [–]guiltyblow 10 points11 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        But he was Loki

                                                                                        [–]sonofalando 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        His acting in Loki is very very good

                                                                                        [–]Needs_coffee1143 3 points4 points  (3 children)

                                                                                        Low key? He always was

                                                                                        [–]FourWhiteBars 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        He…always was? RDJ is also great. Hard to think of any duds in that cast list, but some definitely stand out more than others.

                                                                                        [–]IamZeus11 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        I’ve been burnt out on mcu content for a couple years now but Loki always get the pass . Hes just got such great energy on screen and Loki in general is actually a fun show

                                                                                        [–]thrust-johnson 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        Loki should be the focal point they hang the whole saga on.

                                                                                        [–]JoeyCaesarSalad 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        He’s become it? He’s been it since the beginning

                                                                                        [–]Papafynn 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        It’s Tom Hiddleston. He “didn’t become” a good actor in the MCU. He’s in the MCU because he’s been a great thespian for decades!

                                                                                        Put some respect to that man names. He’s always been about his craft at a very high degree

                                                                                        [–]georgelamarmateo 14 points15 points  (18 children)

                                                                                        Love his acting and the other guy on Loki.

                                                                                        But I never have any idea what's going on on that show.

                                                                                        [–]Wistful_HERBz 77 points78 points  (3 children)

                                                                                        and the other guy on Loki.

                                                                                        wow, really? just wow. Like wow, how could you do him so dirty.

                                                                                        [–]GJordao 29 points30 points  (1 child)

                                                                                        Wow

                                                                                        [–]Fastbird33 4 points5 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        Kachow!

                                                                                        [–]DanglyPants 19 points20 points  (1 child)

                                                                                        Hold up who’s the other guy? OWEN WILSON?!

                                                                                        [–]Graynard 6 points7 points  (0 children)

                                                                                        Mobius and O.B. are both pretty great

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                                                                                          [–]SoCalThrowAway7 8 points9 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          Become?

                                                                                          [–]Saganists 2 points3 points  (1 child)

                                                                                          TEEEELLLLLL MEEEEEE!

                                                                                          Always gives me chills.

                                                                                          [–]mortalcoil1 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          When was he not?

                                                                                          [–]Roakana 2 points3 points  (2 children)

                                                                                          Low key? He chews up scenes masterfully. Often too big for many around him.

                                                                                          [–]spazmcgraw 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          He always has been.

                                                                                          [–]PhantomRoyceHBO 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          Ya know what. I don’t disagree

                                                                                          [–]CurrentRoster 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          Has he only played Loki in the past 5 years? I miss him in other movies

                                                                                          [–]VisualParadox01 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          Hope this guy gets more time as loki. So many things I wanna see happen.

                                                                                          [–]B9696 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          The main reason Avengers worked (besides an ungodly amount of marketing) was his performance.

                                                                                          [–]emielaen77 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          He was always one of their better actors. Nothing low key about it.

                                                                                          [–]NerdyDan 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          Seeing as he’s actually an actor outside of action movies…

                                                                                          [–]ibyczek78 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          That's a looooooow bar nowadays if we're being honest.

                                                                                          [–][deleted] 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          Wasn’t he always the best actor in the MCU?

                                                                                          Not throwing shade at at the other cast members. But I think after Infinity War and Endgame, the main question most fans had was about Loki’s death scene and what that meant for future MCU stuff. Like that was the only question fans had and was a natural continuation of the existing story. But Disney decided the saturate the market to make that bank instead and now the main MCU plot is…stuff

                                                                                          [–]DriftingMemes 2 points3 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          Hiddleston is great.

                                                                                          Loki on the other hand. What the fuck was happening in episode 3? That chase scene had wacky music, and pratfalls. Jesus, it looked like the chase scene from Kenobi (Yeah, that one).

                                                                                          Secret invasion was SO fucking lazy, and now this. I'm about done until they figure out a direction that doesn't suck. I got good movies from it, I'm ready to abandon the MCU. If they don't care, why should I?

                                                                                          [–]StephenHunterUK 5 points6 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          If he wants it, one day, Charlie Three or William Five will be tapping him on the shoulders with a sword.

                                                                                          (Well maybe not those two. Others can do the tapping as well. Could be Prince George or Princess Charlotte)

                                                                                          [–]unsub_from_default 21 points22 points  (7 children)

                                                                                          Its not like the bar was all that high.

                                                                                          [–]goteamventure42 3 points4 points  (4 children)

                                                                                          The MCU has some top tier talent, I think there are 20+ Oscar winners that have been in the MCU

                                                                                          [–]Hazardbeard 18 points19 points  (2 children)

                                                                                          A lot of the talent has been wasted though. Like they barely gave Anthony Hopkins or Mads Mikkelsen anything to do. Hiddleston has gotten a lot of screen time, and has been great through all of it.

                                                                                          [–]caloroin 12 points13 points  (1 child)

                                                                                          Christian Bale too

                                                                                          [–]IrrelevantLeprechaun 8 points9 points  (0 children)

                                                                                          Vast majority of the Oscar winning talent in the MCU has been wasted on bit parts, not central starring roles.

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                                                                                            [–]Galliagamer 3 points4 points  (0 children)

                                                                                            Not low key at all. Loud and proud the best actor in the MCU.

                                                                                            PS tho I love the “low key” thing you did there, lol

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