Since we are on the set, what has been this day like for you, so far? Do you thrive in a grueling shooting schedule? I love what I do. Im lucky to call this a job. In the scheme of things, a days work as an actor cant be called grueling. I do get up very early, but thats just the nature of how things are run because with Taika on this particular film, we like to shoot between 7:30 a.m. and 5 p.m.
I have to be ready to shoot at 7:30 a.m. so Ive got to get all of this (hair and makeup) on before then. I get up to train because thats the only time I have. So I get up at about 3 a.m. but I go to bed early.
At what time? Oh, it depends. If Im shooting regularly, its easy to put myself to bed at around 8 p.m.
How long does the hair and makeup take? It takes a while because I dont look like this underneath. There are little intricacies. Im supported by the most incredible team that has done my hair, makeup and costume for some time. They take pride in their precision, and I depend on them. It takes about two and half or three hours. Weve all seen films where a misplaced wig will take you out of the film.
How do hair, costume and makeup help you? The costume is always helpful. Theyre big, structured, heavy costumes with capes, shoulder blades and body armor. It makes you stand in a different wayyou stand up straight so you carry yourself differently than when youre wearing jeans and a T-shirt. All of it is helpful. Theres something about these glovesthey feel like fighting gloves. Its like armor. Loki is so protected.
The hair and makeup is helpful, too. It helps put me right back into place. The costumes are so brilliantly designed in this film because the designers have to replicate two-dimensional comic-book art, which is very colorful and often practically impossible. And yet, they manage to do it.
Im not just standing in the costume, but fighting and running in it, doing tumbles and somersaults. Theyve found a way to make the costumes practical, so you can wear them for 10 hours, and they become a part of the performance.
In the scene that we watched on the set, we saw that Loki was delighted his brother was going to be in the gladiator match. Then, it was announced that its the Hulk hes going to compete against. Loki goes, Oh, *****.
Loki hasnt seen the Hulk since he lost Infinity War One in the first Avengers film, so the idea for Loki to be in the presence of the Hulk is immediately terrifying. He knows what happened last time.
Also, in that scene, there seems to be a little buddy thing going on between Loki and the Grandmaster. Can you talk about that relationship? The fun thing about the Grandmaster and Loki is that theyre both outsiders, mischievous spirits who probably both feel like they never belong. They have big egos and an anarchistic sense of humor. They recognize each others traits.
The Grandmaster has fashioned his own kingdom, which is a tyranny, basically. Its where people dance and play music, but hes a despot.
How is it working with Jeff? Jeff is absolutely one of the most consummate actors Ive ever worked with. Hes so prepared and professional and, at the same time, relentlessly playful. He finds new ways to do it every single time, and hes given so much. Every ones been on the floor laughing.
Hes only been here for 10 days, but hes been shooting every day. When I think of his career, theres nothing he hasnt done. But hes still so fresh and energetic. Its a real pleasure.
Can you talk about how refreshing it must be to have an indie filmmaker like Taika Waititi direct this? Earlier, Taika said the producers werent interested in a director who knows how to blow things up. The thing about directors is that they bring their own fingerprint to their films. Id say that about any director Ive worked with on this characterKenneth Branagh, Joss Whedon, Alan Taylor and now, Taika. His particular artistic fingerprint is one of humor and humanity. Hes very funny and smart. He has injected into this film and into the world of Thor this incredible, light heart and sense of fun.
As Loki, Im the god of mischief. Ive always had fun, but every single character is having a great time in this. Chris Hemsworth is loving the fact that, now, people are starting to realize how funny he is. Taika and Chris together are a match made in heaven. This movie will have a lot of laughs in it, and that all comes from Taika. Hes fantastic.
Taikas independent films are miraculous, truly. I saw Hunt for the Wilderpeople before I came here. It was shot in 18 days, which is an amazing achievement.
Obviously, you dont want to repeat Loki as the same evil brother who tries to sabotage Thor. You want to add dimension. But now, we have Cate Blanchett playing the ultimate devil. What are the new curves for Loki in this film?
Loki has always been unpredictable. The most fun thing about him this time around is that I dont have the responsibility to play the villain or antagonist. Cate is the villain, and she does an extraordinary job.
As for Loki, he has this mercurial presence. All Thor films are about family. Theres some sense of this family with enormous powerthe father and two sons. The relationship between the two brothers is something that always evolves. It evolves in this one, as well, without giving too much away.
