Tom Hiddleston is about to be a big star.  But I can’t say too much about why.

This month alone, he plays Loki, the super-villain in Thor and he has an important part in Woody Allen’s new film, “Midnight in Paris.”  Those of you who have seen “Thor” and stayed through the credits know how important Loki is.  For those who have not, I will just say that when you go, watch Hiddleston.  Director Kenneth Branagh made a savvy decision in casting the Cambridge-educated actor.  In the middle of a superhero special effects blockbuster, Hiddleston gives a performance of grace and complexity that is exactly serves the tone of the film.  I always say that superhero movies should be judged by their villains and he may be the best of all time.

I can’t give away any of the surprises of “Midnight in Paris” by even saying what part he plays.  I will just say that it is a daunting challenge — some in the audience will have strong feelings about the character and others may know nothing about him and there are some complexities of tone and tempo.  And Hiddleston is superb.  Next, he will appear in “The War Horse,” based on a huge box office hit play in London (recently opened on Broadway) and directed by Steven Spielberg.  I can’t wait to see it.

In this clip, he talks about the importance of compassion, even compassion for the characters he plays.