Loki director explains how game-changing bisexual reveal was always the ‘goal’
Loki is bisexual, confirmed at last. (Twitter/@dilfhiddleston)
Marvel fans celebrating the big bisexual Loki reveal can thank director Kate Herron, who says the game-changing character development was her goal from the start.
Episode three of the new Disney Plus series gave us the LGBT+ deity representation we needed by confirming, once and for all, that the God of Mischief is canonically queer.
The big reveal came after Loki and Sylvie – his gender-fluid alter-ego – arrive on Lamentis-1, a faraway moon that’s literally soaked in bisexual lighting.
As they strike up a conversation about love, Sylvie asks if there were any “would-be princesses” or princes in his past. Tom Hiddleston’s trickster god pauses for a moment before replying: “A bit of both, I suspect the same as you.”
The brief but revealing conversation marks the first time the Marvel Cinematic Universe has ever referenced Loki’s bisexuality, something that’s long been acknowledged in the comics and in the original Norse mythology.
The crucial line could’ve easily been cut from the script, or made so subtle as to be almost invisible, as has been the case with other Disney productions. But that’s not what director Kate Herron had in mind.
In a tweet after the episode dropped, Herron explained that making Loki’s sexuality clear and canon was one of her priorities when she joined the team.
“From the moment I joined Loki it was very important to me, and my goal, to acknowledge Loki was bisexual,” she said.
“It is a part of who he is and who I am too. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now canon in the Marvel Cinematic Universe.”
From the moment I joined @LokiOfficial it was very important to me, and my goal, to acknowledge Loki was bisexual. It is a part of who he is and who I am too. I know this is a small step but I’m happy, and heart is so full, to say that this is now Canon in #mcu #Loki ??? pic.twitter.com/lz3KJbewx8
— Kate Herron (@iamkateherron) June 23, 2021
Tom Hiddleston also raised the importance of “truthfully” addressing his character’s sexuality in an interview earlier this month with MTV News.
“It has been in the story of the character for hundreds, if not thousands of years,” Hiddleston said, referring to Loki’s roots in Norse mythology.
“Loki is a trickster. Boundaries and identity has always been fluid and I’ve really enjoyed that. I remember even when I was first cast reading about that stuff and I’m really pleased that we have a place to explore it.”
Loki episode four drops on Disney Plus next Wednesday (30 June).
