Tom Hiddleston on Track To Solve Disney’s Major “Johnny Depp” Problem
Tom Hiddleston returns as Loki in the Disney+ series created by Michael Waldron, potentially addressing challenges faced by The Walt Disney Company, akin to the “Johnny Depp” situation. The Loki series, breaking the Disney tradition with a Wednesday release, garnered significant viewership, setting a new streaming agenda for Disney and maintaining its popularity among other Marvel shows.
Since his debut in Thor (2011), Tom Hiddleston reprised his role as Loki in various Marvel Cinematic Universe projects, gaining popularity alongside central characters. The Loki series, exploring the 2012 version of Loki, introduced the Time Variance Authority, Loki Variants, and the Multiverse. The cast includes Owen Wilson, Gugu Mbatha-Raw, Wumni Mosaku, Sophia Di Martino, Eugene Cordero, Tara Strong, and Jonathan Majors.
In the Loki Season 1 finale, Jonathan Majors portrayed He Who Remains, the TVA creator and time manipulator, revealing himself as a Variant of Kang the Conqueror. Majors, known for his Shakespearean gravitas, received acclaim for his positive addition to the MCU. He later returned in Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania (2023) as Kang the Conqueror, adding a chilling presence to the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
Shortly after the perception shift, Jonathan Majors faced legal issues in March 2023 when he was arrested in New York City for a domestic disturbance case. The charges included assault, harassment, and strangulation. Majors pleaded his innocence in court, and his attorney released text messages allegedly recanting the claims of abuse from the victim, Grace Jabbari. Jonathan Majors was however found Quilty.
These high-profile court cases are becoming common in Hollywood, evoking memories of Johnny Depp and Amber Heard’s defamation fight. The jury in a Virginia court concluded that Heard had slandered Depp in relation to her since-retracted opinion piece in The Washington Post, capping a nearly six-year legal battle between Depp and Heard.
Following Depp’s defeat against The Sun in a 2020 London libel trial, which had consequences for his parts in Disney’s Pirates of the Caribbean and Warner Bros.’ Fantastic Beasts, this defamation lawsuit was brought.
Also Read: Jada Pinkett Smith and Willow Smith Embark on Spiritual Journey in India
Amid the uncertainties surrounding Jonathan Majors’ domestic abuse trial, akin to Disney and Marvel’s past “Johnny Depp” situation, the House of Mouse is yet to decide on Majors’ future in the franchise. Kevin Wright, executive producer of the Loki series, acknowledged the complexity of the situation, hinting that decisions would be made post-verdict.
Fans speculate changes in plans, potentially affecting Majors’ role as Kang in future Avengers films. Interestingly, Tom Hiddleston, known as Loki in the MCU, is hinted at taking on a new role in the Loki series and possibly extending into the broader franchise, addressing Disney’s concerns.
In a short clip, a scene featuring streaks of green magic has caught the attention of keen-eyed fans, similar to a recent teaser. Novelle (@novellex) shared images showing a different Loki variant using the same green magic while descending steps.
Another user noted the background’s resemblance to the throne room in He Who Remains’ citadel, and another post highlighted the similarities in the costumes of both Loki and He Who Remains. These signs suggest the introduction of a new Loki variant poised to take over the role left by Jonathan Majors.
Also Read: Johnny Depp opens up about living life in the UK.
This idea gains credibility as Kevin Wright confirmed that early plans for Loki Season 1 considered Tom Hiddleston for the role of He Who Remains, but the show ultimately chose against making a Loki Variant the character to maintain the vastness of the Multiverse.
Jonathan Majors’ award-season film, “Magazine Dreams,” has been indefinitely delayed by Disney following his arrest. Additionally, the United States Army and Texas Rangers have dropped Majors from their ad campaigns, and his role in “The Man in my Basement” will be recast. In Loki Season 2, many first-season cast members return, with Academy Award winner Ke Huy Quan joining as Ouroboros/”O.B.”.
Tom Hiddleston on Track To Solve Disney’s Major “Johnny Depp” Problem first appeared on insidethemagic
