10 Times The MCU Completely Transformed Actors' Careers
9. Tom Hiddleston - From The Stage To The Screen
Before his iconic portrayal of Marvel's trickster god Loki, Tom Hiddleston was known more for his stagecraft than his shapeshifting. The talented actor was awarded the Laurence Olivier Award for Best Newcomer in 2008, and with another starring roles in the West End it looked as though Hiddleston was set to become the next big thing in theatre.
That all changed when he auditioned for the role of Thor in Marvel's then-fledgling Cinematic Universe.
Hiddleston's West End co-star Kenneth Branagh was the director for the first Thor film, and although he thought the young thespian was unsuitable for the the title role the experienced director recognised Tom's talent for playing Thor's untrustworthy, duplicitous brother. A somewhat backhanded compliment, perhaps, but it's hard to imagine the young actor complaining about it given his subsequent career.
After his first appearance as Loki Tom Hiddleston has become one of the most recognisable people on the planet, something unlikely to have happened if he had stuck to the stage. The theatre's loss was Hollywood's gain though, giving us one of cinema's greatest villains.
As for the person who was chosen as worthy to portray Thor...