Marvel's upcoming Loki is one of the most anticipated shows of 2020 and recently added Owen Wilson to its cast - but who might he be playing? Tom Hiddleston debuted as the titular God of Mischief in 2011's Thor. Despite serving as the villain of the story, the character's complexity coupled with Hiddleston's performance turned him into a firm fan-favorite. As a result, he was the perfect principal antagonist of 2012's The Avengers. Hiddleston went on to reprise the role multiple times more, mostly in the two direct standalone sequels: Thor: The Dark World and Thor: Ragnarok. Deeper facets of his character were revealed across both films, serving to turn Loki from an outright villain to more of an antihero.

That emotional arc seemingly came to a head in Avengers: Infinity War. Loki emerged as one of the few survivors of Asgard's devastation and the subsequent attack of the refugee ship headed for Earth. As a result, he was able to confront the manipulator of his previous actions and the true Big Bad of the MCU phases 1-3: Thanos. Though seeming to characteristically betray Thor once again, Loki ultimately lost his life in an attempt to assassinate The Mad Titan. Despite that, an alternate version of the character returned in the record-shattering Avengers: Endgame. As a result of The Avengers' time-traveling antics, the far-less redeemed iteration of Loki was able to escape with the Tesseract. If and when the character would show up again quickly became the subject of speculation. Until it was confirmed that Loki would get a six-episode solo series on Disney+ - with Michael Waldron serving as the showrunner and Kate Herron (Sex Education) signing on to direct each installment.

Related: Why The Loki TV Show Has Three Different Logos

Despite that, actual plot details remained firmly under wraps - as per the usual Marvel Cinematic Universe protections. Over time, however, it was confirmed Loki will involve time travel. The news was met with little surprise, given previous Loki concept art teased the character operating in the 1970s. More exciting for fans was the casting announcements. Sophia Di Martino signed on as potentially a female Loki and the show might introduce the MCU's first transgender character. More recently, however, reports said Wilson would play a major role. With debate raging as to who the popular comedic actor might be playing, here are a few ideas.

Justice Peace

Marvel Justice Peace rides the Hopsikle

During the Disney+ Marvel teaser released during the Super Bowl, the brief footage of Loki teased the introduction of the Time Variance Authority to the MCU. This was hinted toward by the logo on the prison clothes worn by the titular character. As such, it would appear Loki will end up in a very special prison at some point, as a result of his time-hopping antics. Even without his threatening declaration to "burn the place to the ground", the infamous trickster would no doubt be a high-stakes inmate. Therefore, it stands to reason that overseeing his incarceration would be entrusted to the TVA's most seasoned operatives. In the comics, that would be Justice Peace.

Equal parts Time Cop and Judge Dredd, the character of Justice Peace was created by Walter Simonson and Sal Buscema. Debuting in 1986's Thor #371, Justice Peace's first run-in was with the titular God of Thunder. While on a mission to track down a serial-killing entity known as Zaniac, Justice Peace was sidetracked by random jaywalkers. Believing they were being attacked rather than apprehended, Thor intervened and the two battled. Despite that rocky start, the pair ultimately teamed up when it became clear Zaniac's next target was Jane Foster. Since then, despite operating mostly on the side of good, Justice Peace has found himself at odds with as many heroes as villains - including Deathlok, She-Hulk, and even the Fantastic Four.

Wilson's traditional sensibilities don't naturally lend themselves to a character as overtly grim and humorless as Justice Peace. However, with Waldron having previously written for and executive produced episodes of Rick and Morty, the TVA in Loki will likely be a take that's far more subversive and in keeping with the MCU formula. While they likely won't be testicle-shaped creatures - as the time and dimensional police are depicted on Rick and Morty - Wilson's unique delivery would lend itself to imbue the character with a level of eccentricity to establish the TVA as wildly outside the norm. Equally, it would allow the character to be charming and likable, even though potentially viewed as an antagonistic force to Loki. Plus, whether or not Justice Peace will ultimately team with Loki as Thor did in the comics, the dynamic would be an interesting one. After all, as seen in such films as Wedding Crashers, Wilson is adept at playing the straight man to more chaotic personalities. After Loki's previous declaration of hostile intent, it's easy to picture the scene cutting to Wilson's Justice Peace sitting opposite and delivering the actor's patented, "Wow!"

Related: Marvel's Hercules Should Appear In Loki's TV Show (Not Thor 4)

Two-Gun Kid

Marvel's Two Gun Kid

Another idea for Wilson's as-yet unrevealed character could see him on the other side of the TVA, and thus as a fellow prisoner alongside Loki. Created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, Two-Gun Kid has been a mantle carried by two characters across the decades. The first was Clay Harder, who debuted by Timely Comics in 1948. Despite enjoying a 14-year run, Clay Harder was retconned into being an in-world novel character that inspired Matt Hawk to take on the name in his heroic endeavors. Though both were created by Stan Lee and Jack Kirby, the Matt Hawk iteration is the most widely known and which serves within the official Marvel continuity. Matt Hawk debuted back in 1962 and has reappeared multiple times right past 2010.

Formerly a lawyer, Hawk was trained by gunfighter Ben Dancer and ultimately decided to become a masked crimefighter in the Wild West. In that capacity, he fought everything from traditional villains to aliens. At one point, he traveled through time to then-present day and joined The Avengers. Though he remained for some time, even exploring the United States with Hawkeye, he ultimately returned to his own time. His journey back and forth across time, however, led to him coming to the attention of and ultimately imprisoned by the Time Variance Authority. In the comics, his release was ultimately negotiated by She-Hulk. In Loki, however, there would no doubt be an opportunity to revise those circumstances.

With Wilson taking on the role of Two-Gun Kid, it would once again make for an interesting double-act. With both he and Loki imprisoned together, the recipe is already in place for an exciting and unique jailbreak. With Matt Hawk as a wild card but ultimately a good guy, the character would also make a fun foil for Loki. Equally, he would serve as a reflection of the arc the Loki character went on but which this iteration of the character never got to live out. As such, he could be the key in keeping Loki from drifting too far back to outright villainy. Given Two-Gun Kid's association with She-Hulk - in which he serves as a bounty hunter for her law firm - the character's introduction in Loki would be the perfect set-up for him crossing over into the solo She-Hulk show. Plus, this wouldn't be the first time Wilson has played a humorous, anachronistic cowboy - having starred as such in Shanghai Noon and it's sequel, as well as the Night at the Museum franchise.

The Architect

Marvel Elders of the Universe The Architect

There is also a chance that Wilson's character will have nothing to do with the TVA - be it as a warden or a prisoner. Wilson's role may appear as part of Loki's initial time-hopping escapades. If so, there are several reasons why The Architect might be a fitting choice. Created by Mark Gruenwald, The Architect was briefly mentioned in the 1990's Quasar #17. The lesser-known character was tasked with building a raceway to help facilitate discovering who the fastest man on Earth was. Beyond that, The Architect hasn't made much of an appearance or impact within Marvel comics. He is, however, a cosmic being and one of the Elders of the Universe. As such, the writers of Loki would have but free reign to craft the character as they see fit. Equally, he would have an in-built connection to such established MCU characters as The Collector and The Grandmaster. Given that Loki was present in the films that first introduced those characters, it would make sense to go three for three and introduce one in Loki. Not to mention potentially set up a more substantial role for the as-yet largely unexplored cosmic collective.

Related: Marvel Disney+ Trailer Breakdown & MCU TV Show Story Reveals

There is also the fact that the working title for the Loki TV show is actually "Architect". It's understandably believed that this relates to Loki's time-traveling and the ways he steers the course of human history. However, Marvel being Marvel, it could just as easily be a clue to a larger plot and belie a grander endgame. Especially if, indeed, Loki will truly be the hero of his own story. The Architect could certainly be an interesting and worthy opponent in that regard. Plus, in Wilson's hands, the role could definitely have enough of a quirky, otherworldly charm (and arrogance) to put him alongside Benecio del Toro and Jeff Goldblum's aforementioned Elders. All the while being distinct enough to stand apart as his own entity.

Thori

Marvel Thori

Another interesting - albeit outside - option would be that of Thori. Created by Kieron Gillen and Doug Braithwaite, Thori debuted in 2012's Journey into Mystery #632. As one of seven Hel pups born to Garm and Hel-Wolf, Thori was deemed the most vicious and beyond salvation. As such, while the others were found new homes, Loki was commanded to destroy the animal. Seeing a little of himself in the creature, however, Loki opted to spare the creature's life and keep him as his own. In possession of powers of his own as interstellar flight, pyrokinesis, and even speech, Thori has aided Loki in numerous battles - including one against Nightmare. This battle is especially notable for the fact that Nightmare is a rumored villain for Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness. Therefore, with Loki reported to tie in directly to the Doctor Strange sequel, it's not outside the realm of possibility that the standalone Disney+ series to establish Thori ahead of future appearances. After all, other similarly animated characters like Groot have been hugely successful. While the ill-fated Inhumans show failed in such endeavors and wasted the character of Lockjaw, the Disney+ Marvel outings look prime to avoid such mistakes.

Even Wilson taking on merely a voice role is equally not unheard of. After all, the actor has worked with Disney (who owns Marvel) on multiple occasions. Not only did he voice Lightning McQueen for three Cars movies, but he also lent his vocals to the small screen Tales from Radiator Springs spin-off and LEGO tie-in video games. Though Wilson has largely returned to live-action in recent years, there's nothing to stop him do similar to Vin Diesel and take on a less time-consuming role. Given that Thori's vocabulary is far more extensive than Groot's, Wilson would have ample opportunity to help create a new and unique character for the MCU. As well as also serving as a potentially hilarious foil to Loki, Thori's inclusion would also help unveil new facets to the God of Mischief's past and humanity. One way or another, fans will know for sure in the coming months or when Loki officially airs.

More: What To Expect From The Loki TV Show

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