Late last weekend, Black Panther (Chadwick Boseman) and Rocket Raccoon posed for an adorable selfie. Not to be outdone, Doctor Strange (Benedict Cumberbatch) and Loki (Tom Hiddleston) – another duo who don’t share the screen for any amount of time in Avengers: Infinity War – captured their friendship with a Polaroid as well, albeit in much more formal attire (seen below).
Given that their first, and I believe only, MCU meeting resulted in the adopted son of Odin falling for thirty minutes, you wouldn’t figure Loki and Doctor Strange for real-life besties. Nevertheless, at the South Bank Sky Arts Awards this weekend, Hiddleston presented Cumberbatch with the Outstanding Achievement Award, further cementing what’s been a formidable friendship since 2010.
Having met during the production of Steven Spielberg’s historical drama War Horse, Hiddleston and Cumberbatch can’t help but shower one another in praise.”He’s got the looks. He’s an incredibly talented actor, and he’s one of the finest of our generation. And a friend,” Benedict said of Tom during an interview with Empire Magazine in 2012.
If that wasn’t enough to solidify their bromance, Cumberbatch also shielded his Thor: Ragnarok co-star during a sit-down with Interview magazine in 2016, amid allegations that Hiddleston and Taylor Swift were an item.
“I just want to say that I’m not going to ask questions about my friend’s personal life just because there are unsolicited photographs of him and a certain someone, in a relationship or together. I’m not going to get into that. So that door is closed, dear reader.”
Circling back to the South Bank Sky Arts Awards, though; before presenting his colleague with the award, Hiddleston stated: “He can do anything; he has done almost everything. He’s a great actor, a great man and I’m glad to call him my friend.”
Meanwhile, here’s what Benedict Cumberbatch said in his acceptance speech.
“I am quite flabbergasted to be receiving this award especially when looking at past recipients. I am needless to say immensely grateful and humbled. The South Bank Show has always had a place in my heart as being an inspirational exploration of the best of culture so to be recognised in this way by Melvyn and the show is incredibly flattering and I am very humbled to be this year’s recipient. Many, many thanks.”
Considering Loki’s long dead, and Doctor Strange followed suit, we don’t really know when the two will grace the big screen together again. That said, if you’re hoping for a reunion, your best bet is probably Avengers 4 next year.