On January 10, 2026, two of Hollywood’s most celebrated actors found their names entwined in an unexpected way—by the enduring shadow of Jack Nicholson. Tom Hiddleston, beloved for his decade-long portrayal of Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe, and Jennifer Lawrence, praised for her electrifying performance in the new film Die My Love, both openly cited Nicholson as a defining influence on their work. Their revelations have reignited conversations about the lasting impact of Nicholson’s legacy, the evolution of villainy and vulnerability on screen, and what it means to truly lose oneself in a role.
During a candid conversation on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, Tom Hiddleston, now 44, peeled back the curtain on his creative process. When asked about his favorite comic book movie, Hiddleston didn’t hesitate. “I truthfully don't believe I would have played Loki without that film. The way Jack Nicholson played the Joker, at the time of my life when I saw it, it made such an impact on my imagination,” he told host Josh Horowitz, referring to Tim Burton’s 1989 Batman (as reported by ComicBook.com and Pinkvilla).
Hiddleston explained that Nicholson’s Joker was more than just a villain; he was a force of charisma and unpredictability, traits that would become central to Hiddleston’s own take on Loki. “I understood he was the villain, but he was having such a good time and that could describe somebody else I know,” Hiddleston said with a knowing smile. “He was so charismatic, so inventive, and so free.” When it came time to step into Loki’s boots for the first time, Hiddleston “consciously carried Jack Nicholson in mind.”
The actor’s dedication to layering Loki with both menace and mirth was no accident. While filming Thor with director Kenneth Branagh, Hiddleston and Branagh experimented with different acting styles to bring out the complexity of the character. “Because Loki was so complex and full of contradictions, charisma and charm, and also vulnerability, we would do different takes in tribute to different actors,” Hiddleston recalled. “So we did a Peter O'Toole take, which was a tribute to his sophistication and vulnerability in The Lion in Winter. Then we would do a Jack Nicholson take, where I was having the most fun in the room. And then a Clint Eastwood take, where whatever I was feeling would be hidden deep within me and you wouldn't be able to see it, to give him different flavors in the edit.”
It’s this thoughtful, multi-faceted approach that’s helped Loki stand apart in the sprawling Marvel universe. As Screen Rant notes, “There is no one who could ever call Loki a two-dimensional character, and it is clear that a lot of work went into making sure that his internal conflict was realized on screen in the most accomplished way of any Marvel character to have appeared in the franchise.” Now, with Loki’s story set to continue—and potentially conclude—in Avengers: Doomsday on December 18, 2026, fans are eager to see how Hiddleston’s inspired performance will bring the saga full circle.
But Hiddleston isn’t the only star channeling Nicholson’s spirit this year. Across the Atlantic in a remote Montana cabin, Jennifer Lawrence has been making waves—and drawing direct comparisons to Nicholson himself. In Lynne Ramsay’s adaptation of Ariana Harwicz’s novel Die My Love, Lawrence plays Grace, a new mother spiraling into postnatal depression. According to OK! Magazine, Lawrence’s colleagues on set have been left “stunned” by her “completely unhinged” approach to the role.
Lawrence, 35, is no stranger to intense performances, but sources say this one is different. She spent months preparing for the part, even living in conditions similar to her character’s isolation to fully grasp the emotional volatility required. One crew member marveled, “Jennifer threw herself into every scene without restraint. She'll eat cake with a knife, bark at the dog, or smash through glass doors—and it all comes across as completely authentic. Robert [Pattinson, her co-star] was often left wide-eyed by her performance, and had to constantly recalibrate his performance to match her intensity.”
Another insider described Lawrence’s process as “total abandon,” noting that her dedication left the entire crew scrambling to keep up. Ramsay’s signature style—a blend of psychological tension, intense cinematography, and immersive sound—only heightened the pressure. “Each scene turned into an experiment,” a production insider explained. “From the piano moments to the car arguments, even peeling wallpaper with her nails—Jennifer is utterly fearless and gives everything without holding back.”
Critics and film analysts have not missed the parallels between Lawrence’s raw, unpredictable energy and Nicholson’s own storied career. One analyst told OK!, “Jen possesses that Nicholson-like mix of charm, menace, and unpredictability. It's her refusal to follow expectations that makes her performance so riveting. She's transcended being just Jennifer Lawrence—she's now a force in her own right, just like Jack was in his prime.” Another Hollywood source was even more effusive: “Many are calling Jen's acting in Die My Love the most fearless performance in recent memory. It's completely unfiltered. She owns every scene in a way few actors dare—she has become a kind of Nicholson for the modern era.”
Lawrence’s admiration for Nicholson isn’t new. The two shared a memorable backstage moment at the 2013 Oscars, when Nicholson crashed her interview with ABC’s George Stephanopoulos to praise her Oscar-winning turn in Silver Linings Playbook. “You did such a beautiful job,” he told her, adding with a mischievous grin, “I'll be waiting.” At just 22, Lawrence became the second-youngest winner of the Best Actress Oscar, a feat that only added to the legend of her meteoric rise.
The convergence of these stories—Hiddleston’s open homage to Nicholson’s Joker and Lawrence’s anointing as “Hollywood’s new Jack Nicholson”—underscores the enduring influence of one of cinema’s greatest icons. For Hiddleston, Nicholson’s Joker offered a blueprint for villainy laced with joy and complexity; for Lawrence, his legacy paved the way for performances that are as unpredictable as they are unforgettable.
With both actors poised to make headlines again—Hiddleston in Avengers: Doomsday and Lawrence in the already buzzed-about Die My Love—it seems Nicholson’s spirit of fearless, boundary-pushing artistry is alive and well in a new generation. And Hollywood, it appears, is all the richer for it.