‘Loki’: Behind-the-Scenes Bombshells Fans Might’ve Missed

The MIschiefs Behind the Screens

Loki found himself traveling through and becoming a titular character in Marvel Studios after he lost his life in the Infinity War to Thanos. Loki the show was full of secrets and surprises which make the current Marvel timeline so special. Here are some of the best behind the scenes facts from the show.

The "Loki School" Was a Real Thing

Tom Hiddleston, an executive producer on the show, took his role as the keeper of Loki's lore very seriously. For the new cast and crew (including Owen Wilson), he gave a multi-hour presentation—dubbed "The Loki School"—detailing Loki's entire 10-year journey, from Thor to Endgame, to ensure everyone understood the character's complex trauma and motivations.

The TVA's Look Was Inspired by Brazil and Mad Men

Director Kate Herron wanted the Time Variance Authority to be unique. Instead of a futuristic Blade Runner look, she was inspired by the analog, mid-century bureaucracy of Terry Gilliam's Brazil and the stark, stylish sets of Mad Men. This created the show's signature "Mid-Century Modern" sci-fi aesthetic, where technology is all analog tapes, dot-matrix screens, and wood-paneled walls.

Sylvie's Suit Was Designed for a Breastfeeding Mother

Sophia Di Martino was cast as Sylvie shortly after giving birth. She worked with the costume designer to create a practical suit that would accommodate her as a new mother. The final design cleverly incorporates hidden zippers in the chest plate, allowing her to breastfeed and pump between takes.

Alligator Loki Was Based on a Real Alligator

The fan-favorite "variant" was not just a random CGI creation. The show's visual effects team based the alligator's look on a real-life emotional support animal, a gator from Florida named Wally. The idea for Alligator Loki was a last-minute, "stupid" pitch from head writer Michael Waldron that he kept pushing until it made it into the show.

The Score's Secret Weapon is a Theremin

Loki's unique, wobbly, and divine-sounding theme music has a secret ingredient: a Theremin. Composer Natalie Holt chose the instrument—one of the first electronic instruments, which is played without being touched—because she felt its "strange, unsettling" sound perfectly captured the show's sci-fi themes and Loki's "otherworldly" nature.

O.B. Is a Direct Homage to The Goonies

Ke Huy Quan's beloved character Ouroboros (O.B.) was directly inspired by his first-ever role. Loki writer Eric Martin confirmed that he based O.B. on Data, Quan's gadget-obsessed character from the 1985 classic The Goonies. It was a "variant" of Data, showing what the character might have been like if he'd worked at the TVA for 400 years.

Tom Hiddleston Originally Auditioned for Thor

It's the most famous "what if" in Marvel history. Before he was cast as the God of Mischief, Tom Hiddleston's original audition was for the God of Thunder. He bulked up and put on a blond wig, and his screen test is now legendary. Director Kenneth Branagh saw his potential but felt his "lean and hungry" quality was perfect for the villain, not the hero.

The Time Slipping Effect is Real

That painful-looking "time-slipping" effect in Season 2 wasn't just CGI. To make the struggle feel real, the stunt team used a practical effect on Tom Hiddleston. They would attach a "rubber band-like" rig to him and physically pull him backward in the middle of a scene, creating the genuine sense of being "spaghettified" against his will.

Loki's Bisexuality Was a Non-Negotiable

In the comics, Loki is canonically bisexual and gender-fluid. Season 1 director Kate Herron stated it was her "number one goal" to see this acknowledged on-screen. The conversation between Loki and Sylvie in Episode 3, where they both confirm they've had relationships with "princes and princesses," was a small line that was a massive, non-negotiable step for the character.

"He Who Remains" Was a Complete Surprise

Jonathan Majors was not cast for Loki. He had already been cast as Kang the Conqueror for Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania. The Loki team loved his audition so much that they got permission from Marvel to use him for their finale first. This made his appearance as the eccentric "He Who Remains" a genuine, timeline-breaking shock and the first official introduction to the MCU's next big-bad.