Harsh Vardhan
Tom Hiddleston, the charismatic British actor, has carved a distinguished niche for himself in the world of cinema and theater. His journey into the limelight began with his first appearance in ‘The Life and Adventures of Nicholas Nickleby’ (2001). However, it was his iconic portrayal of the charismatic and villainous Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe that catapulted him to global stardom. Hiddleston’s magnetic performance as Loki not only made him a beloved figure but also showcased his remarkable versatility as an actor. His appearances in multiple MCU films, including ‘Thor,’ ‘The Avengers,’ and his own Disney+ series ‘Loki,’ have solidified his status as a fan favorite and a major player in the cinematic universe.
Beyond the superhero realm, Hiddleston showcases his remarkable acting prowess in a wide range of roles, from the brooding and enigmatic Sir Thomas Sharpe in Guillermo del Toro’s ‘Crimson Peak’ to the titular character in the critically acclaimed Shakespearean play ‘Coriolanus.’ Hiddleston’s career is a testament to his immense talent and his ability to captivate audiences with his captivating presence and remarkable acting skills, ensuring his enduring presence in the entertainment industry. If the actor’s most recent appearance in Apple TV+’s romantic series ‘The Essex Serpent’ has started to fade from your memory, let’s take a peek at some of his upcoming projects.
1. What If…? Season 3 (2024)
‘What If…?’ head writer Bryan Andrews has teased that Season 3 might arrive in late 2024. This means that we can expect to get back Hiddleston voicing Loki. Matthew Chauncey will be the head writer. Along with Hiddleston, the rest of the cast can easily include Captain Carter (Hayley Atwell), Winter Soldier (Sebastian Stan) and Bill Foster/Goliath (Lawrence Fishburne), Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch), Sam Wilson (Anthony Mackie), Red Guardian (David Harbour), and Monica Rambeau (Teyonah Parris). Season 3 will debut on Disney+ on December 22, 2024; its eight episodes will be released daily until December 29. You can watch the trailer here.
2. The Life of Chuck (2025)
Hiddleston, in collaboration with Mark Hamill, is gearing up to grace the screen in a brand-new cinematic adaptation of Stephen King’s eponymous short story, titled ‘The Life of Chuck.’ This fantasy horror film is directed by Mike Flanagan. Drawing its source material from King’s 2020 anthology ‘If It Bleeds,’ the narrative weaves together three distinct tales, cleverly linked to construct the reverse biography of Charles Krantz. The film co-stars Karen Gillan, David Dastmalchian, Molly C. Quinn, Mia Sara, and Matthew Lillard.
The story commences with Charles’ untimely demise at the age of 39 due to a brain tumor, unraveling his life in reverse chronological order, ultimately leading viewers back to his childhood, set within a supposedly haunted house. The film premiered at the Toronto International Film Festival on September 6, 2024, and even won the People’s Choice Award at the event. It will be released in the United States by Neon on May 30, 2025.
3. The Night Manager Season 2 (TBA)
Hiddleston is about to return as hotel manager/ex-British soldier Jonathan Pine in the TV adaptation of John le Carré’s 1993 espionage novel of the same name. In Season 1, Pine infiltrates an arms dealing business run by Richard Onslow Roper (Hugh Laurie). It ended with Roper being arrested in Egypt. Season 2 will take place eight years after Season 1, and while there is no sequel novel that would serve as a blueprint for Season 2, Deadline stated that it will show the death of Roper while in custody and its repercussions. Besides Hiddleston, returning cast members include Olivia Colman as Angela Burr, Alistair Petrie as Alexander ‘Sandy’ Langbourne, Douglas Hodge as Rex Mayhew, Michael Nardone as Frisky, and Noah Jupe as Danny Roper. New faces include Camila Morrone, Diego Calva, Indira Varma, Paul Chahidi, and Paul Chahidi. Elizabeth Debicki will not return. Production is underway, and the season is expected to air in 2025.
4. Surviving Pompeii with Tom Hiddleston (TBA)
‘Surviving Pompeii with Tom Hiddleston’ is a National Geographic-backed docu-series that will explore the eruption of Vesuvius in 79 A.D. and the preserved Roman city it left behind. Hiddleston, who studied Classics at Cambridge University and is a dedicated enthusiast of ancient history, will take us on a detective-like quest, breathing life back into the lost voices of Pompeii’s people. The actor will also executive produce. Each episode will uncover real stories that remained hidden for centuries, revealing the extraordinary everyday lives and allowing us to touch the humanity of those who lived almost 2,000 years ago. The series is in its pre-production stage and will arrive on the National Geographic channel or Disney+.
5. Tenzing (TBA)
Directed by Jennifer Peedom, ‘Tenzing’ is an Apple-backed biographical drama that tells the story of the trek of Sherpa Tenzing Norgay and Edmund Hillary to the Mount Everest summit in 1953, becoming the first two humans in recorded history to achieve the feat. Hiddleston will play Edmund Hillary, while Willem Dafoe will play English expedition leader Colonel John Hunt. The search is on for an actor for the role of Tenzing Norgay. Peedom is also the director of the 2015 documentary ‘Sherpa,’ which sheds light on the lives of Mount Everest’s Sherpa community. Luke Davies (‘Lion’) is writing the script. Filming is reportedly slated for spring 2025.
6. The Real Finding Nemo (TBA)
Alongside ‘Surviving Pompeii,’ Hiddleston will also host another National Geographic docuseries titled ‘The Real Finding Nemo.’ Inspired by Pixar’s hit movie ‘Finding Nemo,’ the series will offer an intimate and thrilling exploration of the dynamics of life on the coral reef and beyond via a clownfish. The world’s best underwater cinematographers will join forces to take us on an extraordinary journey into the world below with themes that are relevant to sea creatures and human creatures alike. The series is currently in development and more details are awaited.
7. The White Darkness (TBA)
Hiddleston is poised to take center stage in an upcoming limited series, titled ‘The White Darkness,’ produced for Apple TV+. Developed by Soo Hugh and showrun by Mark Heyman and Hugh, this adaptation is based on David Grann’s gripping eponymous non-fiction book. The series draws its inspiration from the remarkable life of Henry Worsley (Hiddleston), who was not only a dedicated husband and father but also a former soldier characterized by profound honor and unwavering sacrifice.
Worsley’s unrelenting thirst for adventure led him on an extraordinary expedition, a daring trek across the icy expanse of Antarctica on foot. It is stated that the series will delve into themes of courage, love, family, and the extraordinary lengths to which the human spirit can endure. As of now, the project is in the development phase, with fans eagerly anticipating further updates on this exciting venture.
Read More: Is Crimson Peak Based on a True Story?
