British actor Tom Hiddleston appeared at the Zurich Film Festival to present the opening film “Tenzing” and accept a Golden Eye Award. During his remarks, he reflected on his early experiences joining the Marvel Cinematic Universe as Loki in “Thor,” the franchise’s second installment.
Hiddleston described the transition to Marvel filmmaking as a significant shift in scale compared to his prior work with director Joanna Hogg. He characterized the initial experience as marked by the enormous resources, large crews, and expansive sets involved in the production. He credited screenwriter Don Payne with developing Loki’s complex backstory and recalled a conversation with Marvel Studios president Kevin Feige in which Feige outlined plans for a broader cinematic universe, including an “Avengers” film that would feature Loki as the antagonist. Hiddleston noted that he went on to portray the character across seven films and two seasons of the “Loki” television series, a commitment he did not initially anticipate.
Hiddleston spoke extensively about “Tenzing,” which he noted depicts the first ascent of Mount Everest. In the film, he plays mountaineer Edmund Hillary opposite Genden Phuntsok, who portrays Sherpa Tenzing Norgay. The supporting cast includes Willem Dafoe, Caitríona Balfe, and Tenzin Jigmey. Hiddleston expressed appreciation for director Jennifer Peedom’s approach to centering Tenzing Norgay’s perspective in the narrative, departing from conventional tellings of the historical event. He referenced Peedom’s 2015 documentary “Sherpa” as influential in his decision to participate in the project.
To prepare for the role, Hiddleston trekked to Everest’s base camp with Peedom, actor Phuntsok, and a high-altitude medical specialist. He described this experience as essential to understanding both the physical and spiritual dimensions of the climb. Hiddleston emphasized the film’s portrayal of the deep spiritual connection Tenzing maintained with the mountain, characterizing it as a relationship of reverence rather than conquest. The Zurich Film Festival runs through October 4.
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