Almost 10 years after its finale, Ray Stevenson revealed what the original Rome ending and final Titus Pullo scene was supposed to be.

DEN OF GEEK
David Crow
March 17, 2017

Before there was Spartacus or The Tudors, Vikings or The Borgias—before Game of Thrones—there was Rome. As the first salvo of a legion of period epics and historic fictions on premium cable, Rome was one of the most ambitious gambles ever ventured by HBO with a first season cost that was upwards of $100 million due to pricy sets (the biggest in the world), principal photography in Italy, and the usage of old fashioned 35mm cameras.

The series proudly attempted to tell a sort of an “Upstairs, Downstairs” drama between Rome’s patrician class and its plebian underbelly, making it something of a semi-prequel to I, Claudius as we witnessed the rise and fall of Gaius Julius Caesar (Ciaran Hinds), and then the many years of warfare between the various parties in the wake of his death—including a young Octavian (first Max Pirkis, then Simon Woods)—as well as Rome’s transition from republic to empire.

It was a grand effort… perhaps too much so. Indeed, the popular cult series only ran for two seasons, abruptly ending 10 years ago in 2007. While there was some second-guessing and regret after the ratings for Rome season 2 increased, the die was already cast and that season concluded the story with Octavian becoming Augustus, the first Emperor of Rome, and his quiet plebian right-hand, Titus Pullo (Ray Stevenson), taking on the responsibilities of raising a son since his best mate Lucius Vorenus (Kevin McKidd) lies presumably in the grave.

“Bruno [Heller] once did outline a story that he was going to start the whole series with,” Stevenson said. “An 88-year-old Pullo going down to the riverside by Vorenus’ tomb, or sarcophagus, pouring wine on it, taking a sword out while sitting there on the banks, looking at the glistening river, and committing suicide.

“And as he has his face hit the sand on the banks, a fish jumped out of the water, and the silver light on the fish caught the sword, which brought us right into that first battle with Lucius Vorenus and [Titus Pullo] where he breaks ranks.”


http://www.denofgeek.com/us/tv/rome/252090/hbos-rome-ending-was-originally-very-different

Tom Hiddleston: Loki Movie Coming in May 2017?

AMERICAN LIVE WIRE
Posted by: Ryan Scott 6 hours ago



Marvel studios has set some dates with yet unannounced titles but according to Marvel Cinematic Universe, a Loki Movie may be taking the May 2017 spot.

Marvel Cinematic Universe, a Facebook fan page, has been hit miss with their news and is a very popular destination among fans.

“LOKI movie set for May 5th, 2017!” read the statement.

As of now, there is very little actual evidence to corroborate the report, and it did appear dangerously close to April Fools Day. Some have pointed out in the comment thread on the Facebook page that Loki is the god of mischief, and it would be a suiting prank to pull on excited fans.

Warning: Spoilers ahead

At the end of Thor: The Dark World, it was revealed that Loki had managed to take head of Asgard and is alive and well in his own realm, which could easily be the basis for  a standalone film featuring Tom Hiddleston’s very popular villain.

Hiddleston has become something of a favorite among Marvel fans and gave them one of the crowning moments of last years San Diego Comic Con when he came out at the Marvel panel in his full Loki get up.


Read more at http://americanlivewire.com/2014-04-01-loki-movie-coming-may-2017/

Box office: 'Thor 2' hammers the competition with $31.6 million on Friday Marvel sequel looking at an $80 million opening weekend

HIT FIX
By Dave Lewis   Saturday, Nov 9, 2013 1:23 PM

Once again, Thor is working his magic at the box office.

Marvel's "Thor 2: The Dark World" ruled the box office Friday night, debuting to a mighty $31.6 million.

The film -- starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Christopher Eccleston and Tom Hiddleston -- is expected to earn around $80 million in its opening weekend.

"Thor" opened internationally last weekend, and it will likely cross the $300 million mark globally this weekend.



The sequel is out-pacing the original, which opened in May of 2011. That film scored $25.4 million on opening day and went out to earn $65.7 million in its debut weekend. However, Thor can't compete with his fellow Avenger Tony Stark. Earlier this year, "Iron Man 3" earned a whopping $68.8 million on opening day, on its way to a $174.4 million opening weekend.

Read more at http://www.hitfix.com/news/box-office-thor-2-hammers-the-competition-with-316-million-on-friday#kdmbmiOqmVfcvM8T.99

Tom Hiddleston surprises NYC kids at Daily News/Disney screening of 'Thor: The Dark World'

NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
BY ETHAN SACKS / NEW YORK DAILY NEWS
THURSDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2013, 11:52 PM

A dapper Tom Hiddleston surprises kids at a screening of 'Thor: The Dark World' at AMC Empire 25 in Times Square.

The nefarious Loki, scourge of Thor and the Avengers, is actually a good guy.

A really good guy.

Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/entertainment/tv-movies/tom-hiddleston-surprises-kids-thor-dark-world-screening-article-1.1503438#ixzz2jWhEoY1Z

Tom Hiddleston, 'Only Lovers Left Alive' Star, On The Scene He Pitched For 'Thor: The Dark World'

HUFFINGTON POST

Mike Ryan

Mike.Ryan@huffingtonpost.com

It's remarkable how popular Loki has become. What could have been a forgettable role as a mostly unknown villain (at least to the non-comic book reading population of the world) in "Thor," a then-second-tier superhero movie, has now become something close to a household name. This has everything to to with Tom Hiddleston.

Hiddleston is at the Toronto International Film Festival in support of Jim Jarmusch's "Only Lovers Left Alive." Hiddleston plays Adam in the film, a very sad vampire who spends his days moping around Detroit and being snobby about music (Adam is a Jack White fan, though). This is not a vampire movie that will appeal to "Twilight" fans; this is a vampire movie that will appeal to Jim Jarmusch fans.

In person, Hiddleston is a geyser of charm, and he's certainly not the type who would look his gift horse -- in this case, his gift god -- in the mouth. That's something Hiddleston displayed to dazzling effect at this year's Comic-Con when he took the stage in full Loki wardrobe in front of hundreds of screaming fans. (It's a moment that, as he mentions here, meant a lot to the 32-year-old actor.) Loki aficionados will have even more to cheer about this fall: In the interview below, Hiddleston discussed the post-Comic-Con additions to "Thor: The Dark World," which he says adds a lot more Loki to the film (including one thing that Hiddleston pitched himself).

But, first, the interviewee explains why he was recently the interviewer.

Tom Hiddleston: I just recently did your job.

What do you mean?
Well, I mean I conducted an interview and had to transcribe it.

Transcribing is awful, right?
It's the hardest thing in the world.

Who did you interview?
I was interviewing Natalie Portman.

Did you enjoy being on that side of it?
Very much so, yeah.

How so?
I liked listening. And I actually thought, I'd better do my research, like serious reporter. I went back and watched all of her films -- and then you begin to see things differently I guess. The biggest thing I took away from it is actually the perception of the interviewee is a subjective thing. That's what I realized. I realized how much it's my particular view of Natalie. I can't possibly be objective; I bring who I am to the table. And it made me realize, like, your interview with me is your interview with me.

Subjectively, I think you seem like a nice guy because I just watched a video where you gave Cookie Monster a cookie.

[Laughs] Thanks, man. I did. I gave him a whole plate! Yeah, Cookie Monster was a big moment for me.


READ THE REST OF THE INTERVIEW HERE: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2013/09/09/tom-hiddleston-only-lovers-left-alive_n_3890573.html

Tom Hiddleston: Thor: The Dark World Reshot To Include More Loki

THE INQUISITR

15 August, 2013

Thor: The Dark World was reshot to include extra scenes with Tom Hiddleston’s Loki, due to the actor’s tremendous chemistry with the titular character played by Chris Hemsworth. Director, Alan Taylor, told Collider, “We’re doing full scenes, scenes that were not in the movie before. We’re adding scenes, creating scenes, writing scenes for the first time.”

He then added, “We realised how well Loki was working in the movie, and we wanted to do more with him. So it was that kind of thing, it was like, ‘Oh, we could do this, we could jam this in here because he’s such a wonderful guy to watch do his stuff.’”

Previously, Hiddleston described his performance in the upcoming Thor sequel, stating, “Oh, I’ve got plenty to do in Thor, believe me. A lot of new stuff. It’s a new iteration of the character. It’s a new development. Another trick, another poker game for the god of mischief. And he plays it well.”

Read more at http://www.inquisitr.com/906095/thor-the-dark-world-reshot-to-include-more-loki/#KAfBTHRhWzGiEmRh.99

Let’s All Watch Tom Hiddleston Sing ‘The Bare Necessities’ Next To Christina Hendricks

UPROXX

WRITTEN BY JOSH KURP

August 10, 2013

The D23 Expo is the kind of place where the press and people who wear lanyards and Mickey Mouse underwear go absolutely nuts over the announcement of a Tinker Bell spinoff movie called The Fairy Pirate. It’s not a pretty look for humanity, unlike Tom Hiddleston and Christina Hendricks, who are about as attractive as humanity gets.

Read more: http://www.uproxx.com/webculture/2013/08/lets-all-watch-tom-hiddleston-sing-the-bear-necessities-next-to-christina-hendricks/#ixzz2bcczzMEW

Tom Hiddleston & More in BBC's 'The Hollow Crown' Miniseries Trailer

FIRSTSHOWING.NET
by Ethan Anderton
August 8, 2013

Since the offerings on various VOD outlets like iTunes are becoming much more engaging, we thought this truly epic miniseries from BBC deserved the attention of cinephiles. The network across the pond has put together a four-part series called The Hollow Crown, an adaptation of four of Shakespeare's classic plays Richard II, Henry IV Part 1, Henry IV Part 2 and Henry V. What's even better is these adaptations feature Tom Hiddleston (The Avengers, Thor), Jeremy Irons (Die Hard with a Vengeance), Patrick Stewart (X-Men) and Ben Whishaw (Skyfall, Cloud Atlas). This looks like a gorgeous drama series.

READ MORE HERE: http://www.firstshowing.net/2013/watch-tom-hiddleston-more-in-the-hollow-crown-miniseries-trailer/

'Thor: The Dark World' trailer: Watch Natalie Portman punch Tom Hiddleston

ZAP2IT

By Terri Schwartz    August 7, 2013 10:38 AM ET

Follow @Terri_Schwartz on TwitterTwitter  |  Google+Google

The Marvel Cinematic Universe: Phase 2 movies were always going to be interesting because they will show how the world is reacting to the events of "The Avengers." Too frequently big blockbuster movies show a scene of massive destruction but never deal with the consequences. In "Iron Man 3" and the "Marvel's Agents of SHIELD" pilot we've already seen both our heroes and the people of Earth coming to terms with the Battle of New York and revelations that aliens and gods exist, and that looks like it's a theme that will continue in "Thor: The Dark World."

It's no secret that Tom Hiddleston's Loki has a major role in the upcoming "Thor" flick as Thor has to turn to him for help destroying the dark elf Malekith the Accursed. Loki comes front and center in this new trailer for "Thor: The Dark World," and he steals all of the many scenes he's in.

READ MORE HERE: http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2013/08/thor-the-dark-world-trailer-watch-natalie-portman-punch-tom-hiddleston.html

5 Things You Don't Know About Tom Hiddleston

ET
August 7, 2013

We just got a first look at him in the new trailer for the upcoming sequel Thor: The Dark World, but what do you really know about this handsome star!

1. Born Thomas William Hiddleston on February 9, 1981  in London, England -- his mother worked as a stage manager and his father worked as a pharmaceutical company executive.

2. Followed a strict diet and gained 20 pounds of muscle before screen-testing for the role of Thor in 2011, but director Kenneth Branagh decided to cast him as Loki instead.

3. Attended Britain's prestigious Eton College -- the same institution that educated Prince William and Prince Harry.


READ MORE HERE: http://www.etonline.com/movies/136960_Five_Fun_Facts_About_Tom_Hiddleston/

Tom Hiddleston says Loki won't appear in 'The Avengers: Age Of Ultron' NME

NME
6 August, 2013

"He's not in it," Hiddleston told Entertainment Weekly. "Here's the thing: I don't think there's anything else Loki could contribute to The Avengers, narratively. Joss gave me so many wonderful things to do in that first film that we'd only be trying to repeat ourselves, and probably less well in the second one."

However, Hiddleston reassured fans that Loki has a significant role in the forthcoming Thor sequel, which opens in cinemas on November 8. "Oh, I've got plenty to do in Thor [2], believe me. A lot of new stuff. It's a new iteration of the character," he insisted. "It's a new development. Another trick, another poker game for the god of mischief. And he plays it well."

Read more at http://www.nme.com/filmandtv/news/tom-hiddleston-says-loki-wont-appear-in-the-avengers/315669#wvqlSz92LBOtM5Fo.99 

New 'Thor: The Dark World' poster: Evil looms, Loki cackles, and Jane cuddles

ENTERTAINMENT WEEKLY

by Anthony Breznican on Aug 1, 2013 at 11:01AM   @breznican

By the beard of Odin! Behold the latest poster for Thor: The Dark World.

Christopher Eccleston’s Malekith the Accursed looms large, the sky falls, Tom Hiddleston’s eternal troublemaker Loki cackles, and Natalie Portman’s Jane Foster squeezes in close to Chris Hemsworth’s hero, sporting her own fetching Asgardian armor.

Fans would argue Loki is really the one who needs a hug.

The poster for the Nov. 8 movie also shows Malekith’s army of dark elves marching forward in silhouette across the bottom. In the lower right, we see a shimmering palace of Asgard, and above it hovers the Fist of Malekith, the name of his invading Black Ark ship.

READ MORE HERE: http://insidemovies.ew.com/2013/08/01/new-thor-the-dark-world-poster-evil-looms-loki-cackles-and-jane-cuddles/#

Tom Hiddleston at the Marvel Booth SDCC2013 and Nerd HQ (FROM THOSE BRITISH BOYS)

http://www.thosebritishboys.com/2013/07/pictures-of-tom-hiddleston-at-marvel.html

Ray Stevenson Talks Suiting Up For 'Volstagg' Role In THOR: THE DARK WORLD

COMIC BOOK MOVIE

By DCMarvelFreshman - 7/29/2013

With its release date just over three months away, Thor: The Dark World is gearing up for a massive marketing campaign starting next month, or rather later this week. But until then, Volstagg the Voluminous actor Ray Stevenson has talked a bit about returning to Asgard for the Alan Taylor-directed Marvel sequel while out promoting the Blu-ray/DVD release of G.I. Joe: Retaliation.

"Thor is a completely unique experience altogether. I had to wear this vest that contained tubes pumping ice water on to my torso, otherwise my costume would have killed me!" he admitted. "First there was the big foam fat suit that went from my toes to my neck, then the costume on top of that, and then the big beard, then the wig, then I had to go and fight!"

"The truth is, I am really passionate about these action roles. I don't want to appear like some big bouncer standing on the door, I like to bring more to it and for me, that is the best part of the industry," he said. "I've worked with Alan Taylor before and he has a heart the size of planet that he wears on his arm and I'm forever indebted to him." Ray Stevenson was asked again if he'll reprise his Asgardian warrior role in Marvel's The Avengers: Age of Ultron. "I haven't heard a thing!!" he said. "But I'd be absolutely delighted!! I'm under option with Marvel but hopefully there will be a few more Avengers films to come, I'm thinking three or four."

Read more at http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/MarvelFreshman/news/?a=84475#Gb4Pxs1ig5j51C7V.99 

Watch Tom Hiddleston Show Up As Loki During Insane Marvel Panel

Comic-Con 2013

SCREEN CRAVE

Posted by Laura Aguirre on July 20th, 2013

Besides the major news that came our today’s Marvel panel (ahem, Joss Whedon‘s announcement that the official title of Avengers 2 will be Avengers: Age of Ultron), there was one awesome treat for those people who camped out last night. After Marvel president Kevin Feige mentioned Thor: The Dark World, all of Hall H went pitch black and a voice said, “Humanity… look how far you’re fallen. Lining up in the heat… chattering together in the dark… like beasts!” Those words came from one Tom Hiddleston, who decided to appear in character as Loki. Check it out:

Sean Wicks Youtube

READ MORE HERE: http://screencrave.com/2013-07-20/comiccon-2013-watch-tom-hiddleston-show-loki-insane-marvel-panel/

Tom Hiddleston (Loki) opens up COMIC CON panel

Comic-Con 2013: 'Guardians of the Galaxy' cast, 'Thor: The Dark World' trailer and more

By Molly Chance

ZAP 2 IT

July 20, 2013 11:14 PM ET

JUELS HIDDLESSMILES

On hand to open up the panel was Tom Hiddleston, who appeared as "Thor: The Dark World's" Loki. Well, he didn't so much "appear" at first. The massive Hall H went dark before Loki's voice rang out: "Humanity, look how far you've fallen ... lining up in the sweltering heat for hours. 

Huddling together in the dark like beasts!" Marvel Studios President and Producer Kevin Feige then brought Hiddleston onstage in full Loki costume to ask, "Where are your Avengers now?" 

READ MORE HERE: :http://blog.zap2it.com/pop2it/2013/07/comic-con-2013-guardians-of-the-galaxy-cast-thor-the-dark-world-trailer-and-more.html

New Shot Of Tom Hiddleston's Loki On The THOR: THE DARK WORLD Display (COMIC BOOK MOVIE) By Mark "RorMachine" Cassidy - 7/18/2013

It's not much, but the Thor: The Dark World screen at Comic-Con has been pretty bare of anything new to whet fan's appetites for the sequel thus far, so now we have a new image of fan favorite Loki (Tom Hiddleston) for you.

Starring Chris Hemsworth, Natalie Portman, Tom Hiddleston, Stellan Skarsgård, Idris Elba, Christopher Eccleston, Adewale Akinnuoye-Agbaje, Kat Dennings, Ray Stevenson, Zachary Levi, Tadanobu Asano and Jaimie Alexander with Rene Russo & Anthony Hopkins as Odin, “Thor: The Dark World” is directed by Alan Taylor, and hits theaters November 8, 2013.

 Read more at http://www.comicbookmovie.com/fansites/notyetamovie/news/?a=83515#xxGb077IrvvLFZP6.99