‘Loki’ Writer, Michael Waldron, Talks Time-Travel and Marvel’s Timeless Characters
Few writers have been as vital to the growth and exploration of Marvel’s cinematic universe as the man chosen by Kevin Feige to lead the Studio into their future post-Infinity Saga; and now, the Loki writer, Michael Waldron, talks time-travel and MArvel’s timeless characters.
With his Marvel writing debut coming in the form of the widely successful Loki, Michael Waldron was given quite the task to jumpstart his MCU contribution.
Not only was the writer to craft a show that celebrated and explored one of the universe’s most beloved villains, but it was also to explore a concept that the incredible beloved Avengers Endgame just briefly explored; Time-travel.
Despite the explanation for time-travel being given to Hulk by the Ancient One, it still seemed as though the rules weren’t as set in stone as the film would have liked, with different explanations by writers, and the Russo brothers only added to the fan confusion; something that was left to be cleared up by Waldron.
Waldron, while on a panel with SCADFILM’s Storytellers series, Waldron spoke on the time-travel in Loki; and how Endgame gave the writer someone to blame if any inconsistencies arose.
As reported by comicbook.com, Waldron noted, “You have people you can blame everything on, that’s healthy [laughs]. Avengers: Endgame laid a foundation for time travel that we were able to take and then build upon.”
Waldron then spoke on the communal nature of writing for the MCU, and how the medium is very similar to the nature of writing for comic books.
Waldron noted, “That’s what’s amazing about the MCU is that you feel like a comic writer, you’re inheriting these characters and stories from other writers, oftentimes from people you admire.”
Finally, Waldron concluded in discussing the incredible responsibility that is laid on the shoulders of these writers due to the beloved nature of these characters; the timeless, fictional, beings that have already been brought to life by countless creators, now being entrusted to him.
Waldron proclaimed, “Those are established characters. Actors and directors and writers have already brought them to life, you just want to do justice to them, which takes a lot of the pressure off, but it can be tough.”
“You want to service what’s come before while also telling a new story,” Waldron concluded.
Fans can explore Michael Waldron’s incredibly well-crafted storytelling throughout Loki’s first season, and can see more of his world-building through his writing of Doctor Strange and the Multiverse of Madness.