Birmingham native scores sci-fi trifecta with ‘Loki’ role
Eugene Cordero has achieved a childhood trifecta, appearing in three great scifi franchises: “Star Wars,” “Star Trek” and the Marvel Cinematic Universe.
“I'm lucky enough to be seen in all of them,” the actor says. “People like what I'm doing, which I very much appreciate. I'm very lucky to be part of the ‘Star Wars' world and the ‘Star Trek' legacy. I couldn't be more grateful to have the career that I'm continuing to have, and participate in such huge parts of my childhood. Hopefully, my kids will love it too.”
Cordero, 42, is a 1996 alumnus of Brother Rice High School in Bloomfield Township, who lives in Los Angeles with his wife and two children. He has appeared in “The Mandalorian,” the first live-action “Star Wars” TV series. He'll reprise his role as Ensign Sam Rutherford in the animated Paramount+ series “Star Trek: Lower Decks,” returning for its second season in mid-August. And he appears in “Loki,” starring Tom Hiddleston as the title character on the Disney+ TV network.
Loki, the god of mischief in Norse mythology, is the brother of Thor, god of thunder, known for his famous hammer. Marvel Comics adapted these dramatic goodand-evil stories into a long-running series of comic books and films blending in the Avengers team of superheroes.
Hiddleston debuted as Loki in the 2011 film “Thor,” with Chris Hemsworth as Thor. Although Loki died in the subsequent “Avengers: Infinity War,” he's returned in the “Loki” TV series because of a time-travel paradox revealed in the plot of 2019's “Avengers: Endgame.”
“Loki” is set after “Endgame.”
Cordero — who also worked with Hiddleston on “Kong: Skull Island” — plays Casey, a TVA receptionist. Casey, a corporate drone or a “front desk guy” — Cordero's words — was allegedly created by the Time-Keepers, three mysterious beings who run the TVA. He doesn't exist beyond his role at the front desk.
“Tom's just so easy to work with, a really nice guy, and really open to ideas — especially for ‘Loki,'” Cordero says. “He was very receptive to the comedy ideas I had for Casey. The director, Kate Herron, was also open to any comedic takes I had and how I was playing Casey. They let me play around a bit and really find him — that was really nice. Tom was open to everything I was doing. I really loved working on that series.”
Cordero recalls his mysterious audition for “Loki.”
“They gave you vague scripts — nothing from the actual script — and you don't knew what the project is. You just know it's a secret project. I didn't know it was ‘Loki' until after I got it,” he says.
Having grown up a Marvel fan, Cordero says he's thrilled to be part of the Marvel Universe.
“It's amazing. I absolutely loved all the movies from ‘Iron Man' on,” Cordero says. “I loved the way they'd write the scripts with a mix of action and comedy. Everyone wants to be a superhero. Obviously, I'm not a superhero, but I'm so happy to be part of the (Marvel Cinematic Universe).
“Who knows? This means maybe Casey can exist in the other movies, but that's me having high hopes,” he adds, laughing.