Well, this certainly will break (certain segments of) the internet. Tom Hiddleston is the cover boy for the new issue of Interview Magazine. He’s interviewed by none other than his friend and surrogate big-brother Benedict Cumberbatch. The photoshoot is by Steven Klein, and the concept seemed to be “Hitler Youth/Leather Daddy.” Well… it’s a look. And I think we’ve seen enough evidence over the past few months that Tom Hiddleston is a terrible model. You can read the full Interview piece here, and let me just say: we are dealing with two very talkative Englishmen. The piece is LONG. I did learn some interesting stuff, like Tom is going to be in Australia until November, and Benedict doesn’t want to talk about Taylor Swift… at least not in the middle of the interview. The beginning is funny, because they joke about how British they are, always thanking everybody and then apologizing. Some highlights:
Tom’s winter in Australia: “We’re in on the coast of Queensland, and apart from the fact that the sun goes down very early and very quickly, it’s been blue skies and sunshine. It’s preferable for my Celtic complexion to their summer. I was here in exactly the same place in January doing Kong: Skull Island, which was lovely but incredibly hot.
Benedict is cryptic: “We should have a conversation when we hang up. Sorry about that, but some things are off bounds.”
Hiddles on running: “I don’t know, it’s not for everyone. It’s just how I do it. And the thing about running is, if I run in the morning before work, I feel like I’m ahead of the day. Whatever work I’ve done in terms of preparation or research or thinking about the scene or the character, it all kind of crystallizes in that moment in the morning.”
Cumby’s biggest fear: “Passing time. And that is purely from becoming a father, wanting to have a little bit more of it every day, having something outside of me that’s more important than me to focus on. That was a rude awakening, the minute he was born. And every time I hold him, to look at something that new and look at this 40-year-old me in the mirror going, “Wow, I really want to be around to see your children.”
Tom’s biggest fear: “Mine is similar. Mine is regret. I fear looking back and wishing I had done things I hadn’t. It’s interesting, I read this extraordinary article about a book, many years ago, by an Australian nurse who is a specialist in palliative care. It was her job to help people on their way out, to ease their pain. So she spent a lot of time with people in their last days and weeks. And she felt so moved by the accumulated experience, because she heard people say such similar things. Weirdly enough, at the top of the list was, “I wish I hadn’t worked so hard.”
Tom on how he decompresses after a big role: “The best thing I could have done was exactly what I did. I flew home and I went to my sister’s engagement party. I was surrounded by family. And they were so reassuring. And then I just, I live such a boring life. I just potter about, read books I’ve meant to read but haven’t had time… I just potter about and catch up, go for coffee, and read the paper and hang out with my mom and dad.
Benedict on Tom’s private life: “[There’s a] presumption that, because your work and your promotion work is very public, your private life should be, too. Without getting into a huge debate, 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.” Hiddleston appreciated the gesture, saying, “Thank you,” with a chuckle. “You’re welcome. I know you’d do the same for me,” Cumberbatch replied.
There are a million other interesting quotes, but I had to cull so there you go. Benedict isn’t going to talk about Tay-Tay on the record and he’s not going to force Tom to discuss the Tiddlebanging either. But what did they say to each other off-the-record? The Tiddlebanging was actually pretty comparable to the Comet Sophie nonsense that went down two years ago, so maybe Benedict realized he was in no position to lecture Tom.
Photos courtesy of Steven Klein/Interview Magazine.
This dude needs Body fat upon his face like YESTERDAY!
Nooooooo – I love the lean-faced guys.
I don’t Mind lean, He looks Corpsey About the mouth!
Or tuberculosis-ey. Why is it that thin women get torn apart on here, but very thin men do not?
@ladysussex
Because women consumers resent the continuous, overwhelming representation of female beauty seen throughout the media and entertainment industry as the very thin, 4% body fat or fashion model look. Where as with men, big, strong and muscly, is the stereotypical representation that average men usually resent always being compared to as the ideal or “real man” should look like.
uh no.Has anybody here seen corpse? no way tom’s lips are corpsy. plus full puffy lips are girlish. like cillian, way too girly lips(his eyes are freaking amazing though).
@neomi, I can’t get on with his lips either. I like Cillian. He’s a great actor, good looking with amazing eyes, but his puffy lips turn me off. It’s too much. Sixer calls him her alien beauty which sounds about right. Still love him though.
Because he has very thin lips.. that’s the Corpsey part I think
Not a fan of thin lips on a man (that includes George Cloony etc as well). I don’t find this person attractive at all and I don’t understand his appeal at all either (and yes I’ve seen him in a couple of things and I still don’t get it). He gives me a serious case of 2nd hand embarrassment every time I see a photo of him lol.
That top photo is interesting, I liked the intense eyes but the overall lean hungry look reminded me Jared Leto too much and that is not a good thing in my book.
He looks like a very skinny version of Jared Leto.
He and Jared have the same eyes and eyebrows.
Yep, I’ve always thought he looks like Jared Leto’s less attractive brother.
and leto is the short and weird version of Tom.
agreed 1000% – also no to this look. Esp no to S&M Hiddy. Or Waistcoat Hiddy from Gucci. Its all a NO. Doesn’t work.
Is he auditioning for The Village People?
Why do all pictures of this man not smiling make me laugh? I think this is supposed to be like Lou Reed via Robert Mapplethorpe, Lower East Side, easy rebel or something… But he can not pull it off! I think Cumby is way cuter. Poor Hiddles. I just don’t know about him.
An extra in a Sisters of Mercy video.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q-RVJyNpfDk
I think it’s partly because he smiles a lot in real life. He’s really cheery and gentlemanly and sweet-natured in interviews, almost childlike, so he just can’t sell serious.
The cover shot is so heavily photo shopped it hardly looks like him.
Kinda Jared Leto-ish.
And they need to give back the eyebrows they borrowed!
They took 15 years off his face.
Bahaha I thought he looked hot for once in that cover pic. He just makes me cringe so much, and I hate that is my reaction because he seems awkward and insecure. He gives me secondhand embarrassment so bad every time, though….
That’s the first thing I noticed too. Whatever they did, it kinda works. Too bad they didn’t do the same to the other pictures. I’m sure there are quite a few crazies who will think Benedict mentioning his baby is a secret message to them to … #tag Marvel in all their rantings? To conclude that he’s about to get a divorce? To continue their crazy? If she shows up at the premiere with a baby bump, I think the crazies will eat their own heads.
is this his midlife crisis? not only does he look old but the thirst is unreal.
Does no other actor appear in photoshoots?
Nah. I’m sure it’s just Hiddles. He’s the only actor to ever give interviews, or pose for photoshoots, like, ever. Aaaall the other actors and actresses are locked up in the Non-thirst, Proper Actor bunker. *nods*
@ LOL You know what, I was beginning to think the same thing.
He looks like Rob Halford.
Has he released a statement yet on his views of how the split of Brangelina has affected Jennifer Anniston?
It’s laughable to see the same tired, old, ‘wanna-be cool’ snark being repeated for everything. It’s so tired now. If you can’t use it accurately, it loses it’s worth.
Oh dear me, this might be horribly inappropriate but the first thing I thought was OMG it’s the SS. Then I thought nah it’s Herr Flick. He just needs a riding crop and an overcoat…
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DIzp5iD2n5s
Herr Flick…! I’m laughing so hard!!!…
HAHHHAHAHA me too! Good one @frisbeejada
More like Tom Of Finland. Before steroids.
lol!!! in Germany, a friend and their family tried to fix me up with their friend, Herr Flick. I declined as i was seeing another guy. I met Herr Flick at a party later and he was Jason Statham hot — my loss!!
Tom looks more like the live-in of an older Swiss jeweler.
Ugh, see also: Benedict Cumberbatch.
ha! 😉
With each photo shoot he looks more and more like a serial killer. The photo in the chair might as well be an electric chair.
So much potential, all wasted.
Butch Toy Story Woody, really?
Just when I thought I couldn’t laugh anymore today..
Perfectly fine if you don’t want to talk about your personal life, but don’t you say that any of those Hiddles photos were “unsolicited”. Because you’re making me roll my eyes at you. That relationship was pushed onto the public at every level, give me a break.
He’s pretending he didn’t know there would be camera’s. At Taylor Swifts Taymerica party. Complete with giant slide. He’s a goose. He must think people are stupid enough to believe this even after all the facts speak otherwise. And Cumberbatch is foolish participating in this ruse. The only thing “unsolicited” about those photos was that they weren’t taken by Taylor’s personal for-hire paparazzi and they lost control of the narrative.
They both come across as jackasses here.
Taymerica still makes me cringe so hard!
Meg D, yup!
To be accurate, he didn’t say ‘unsolicited’–BC did.
Yes, because that would have been Tom’s PR’s stance and direction on it. Can’t very well say he totally called those photographers LOL.
To be fair, I have no issue with pap shots, all is game in such a competitive industry and they don’t harm anyone
Agreed. I don’t have an issue with any actor trying to drum up some buzz. THEY ALL DO IT TO VARYING DEGREES. But don’t treat us like we’re idiots. There are ways to continue the ruse for the rubes, without insulting those who saw through it.
He looks like Boris Karloff and Jared Leto made a leather baby. Not that he looks bad…Just gave me a giggle how much it struck me when I first looked at the header pic.
I actually like most of the photos he takes and I think these with the darker theme suit him really well. Even though this is also really stylized he looks more comfortable in these. Love his sharp features.
agreed
Me too.
yes!
Me too – this is far sexier than his Tiddles looks.
I think he’s going to be one of those men who looks better with age.
He looks like a creepy janitor who roams the halls in some old hospital.
Then there is the one where he is channeling The Village People.
Loved the interview.
I like the cover photo. All the other photos are meh.
Same here. Cover photo FTW.
He still gives me secondhand embarrassment after his summer PR antics.
I like the cover photo very much. The rest – magazine photo shoot person made decisions on what clothes, location, photographer were available. Some times it works, this time it didn’t. Just another unexciting photoshoot like most unexciting magazine photoshoots. But no ugly furry slippers this time.
OOH! Double #epicfail. First pic at trying to channel Ralph Fiennes in Schindler’s List; second at trying to channel Arnie in Terminator.
I love LEGS most when he does #epicfail. Also, I now think he should be in a Terminator movie. I would watch it for the lols. He could go back in time and burn the paper knickers. Good plot, right? Knicker-burning?
If there’s a Build-a-Bear in there too, I am all in.
He goes back in time, burns his knickers, unpaints the t-shirt and um… the final scene is a mass pitched battle between Skynet and a gazillion Build-a-Bears?
Yaaassssssssss.
Oh, and some swans. They want vengeance.
Loki Build a Bears riding swans while Wagner’s Valkries plays.
Would they devastate the beach at Rhode Island?
Yes, they would devastate the beach but the tide would wash it all away except for the giant inflatable slide whose crooked ruin would rise out of the sand like the Statue of Liberty at the end of the original Planet of the Apes and Tommy, upon seeing it, could do his Charlton Heston impression whilst wearing a leather loin cloth.
Do actors/models get told how to look when they are doing these shoots? How does it work?
And the interview was enjoyable but it is a shame about that totally unoriginal paragraph preceding it. We never knew that before did we? 🙄
The director or the photographer (or both working together) comes up with the style and theme for the photoshoot ahead of time. Sometimes with input from the subject, often none. The assistants and wardrobe/set designers start to gather clothes and props and to source a location if it’s a non-studio shoot.
When the actor arrives, they have pretty limited parameters to work in. There is usually only one rack of clothes and the ‘set’ is already made, so you can’t really change anything. An actor’s publicist might send over some don’ts ahead of time (like “not willing to do nudity”) but unless you’re famous enough to be able to control your own shoot, you have relatively little influence. In other words it’s unlikely Hiddleston came up with the idea for a leather-themed shoot and he may possibly not have known it would be leather.
On the other hand someone I know who’s in his first TV job out of drama school did his first shoot recently (for ES) and they emailed him asking for a list of what he wanted the shoot (he said Mod-type vibe) so you never know!
I think his eyes in the first pic were attempting (and failing) to channel Cillian Murphy’s. Hiddles is doing a brilliant job of channeling Ralph Fiennes’ current hairline!
Failing? What? His eyes have always been expressive and sparkly. Go take a look at other professional photo shoots of his face. Tom’s eyes never fail.
I love all you guys.
Dear God… the photoshoot is no Bueno
They left off the caption of the second photo: “I am John Galt.”
Damn you Taylor, now I have to see his face everywhere. So ladies, I won’t be committing on his post anymore…FAREWELL LADIES. I truly miss summer
Goodbye.
I actually quite like the photos (runs away and hides, from incoming scorn) He is sort of channelling Grace Jones in some of those pics and I like that.
They are a lot better than the Gucci, Afghan-love ones.
What can I say I like a man in leather, although the next photo shoot should feature a kilt.
@shelly you don’t need to. He actually looks pretty hot here. but as it is celebitchy people are gonna tease no matter what.
Now…now…shelly, Grace Jones has done nothing to deserve that! SHE is actually, effortlessly, cool….
No scorn from me – 6 months ago they would have been the hottest for many folks.
@spidey he is still the hottest for me. I don’t care who he dates .As long as he keeps giving me good movies, he is fine to me.
Becharming.
i agree. i am not a huge fan but this is a great cover as is the uniform in the chair picture. steven klein’s glossy neon over saturated shoots seem a little repetitive to me but these two work really well together. i never would have guessed.
Whitebread posh English male channeling jamican black woman. Now that’s a novel Interpretation 😳
If Grace Jones did this, it would be intense and awesome and gender bending and I would be screaming because I wish I could have the tiniest ounce of coolness that woman does.
Tom… he looks like he took only the boring things from Grace’s closet and didn’t bother with any of the sass. Comparing him to Jones in a modelling context is like comparing McDonalds to a tasting menu. Sure you eat both, but one is complex and multilayered, taking time to fully appreciate, the other is meh and produced for mass consumption.
His face is more interesting in these than the Afghan meet cute though for sure. On the thirsty score card I would rate this 2 paperbloomers out of 5.
Grace Jones + Tom Hiddleston. Just going to leave this here: http://www.laineygossip.com/Tom-Hiddleston-tennis-and-ping-pong/23940
I like the photos too. There’s a Robert Mapplethorpe vibe to them, specially on the b/w ones, with all that leather.
I never understand the need or desire for interviews like this outside of a works’ promotion, a cause being given heightened awareness due to a charity campaign, or awards schedule – they always seem too extra to me. Does he have something in the immediate future to promote?
Significant photoshop on the cover.
I wondered about the timing myself. It’s a little early for the Monkey Movie stuff to be kicking off, and Thor is still over a year away. Keeping interest up for The Night Manager going into fall awards season perhaps? Perhaps the good folks at Interview decided the world really needed to know more about the Hiddles in Hiddleswift? I don’t think Gucci was influenced by the Summer of Love – at all – but part of me thinks this one might have been.
Well, given that he wished Ben a happy birthday I think the interview took place at least 2 months ago.
Or a backwards promotion for Dr Strange, which opens next month.
@spidey, it was more the timing of the publication that seems off, rather than when the photos and interviews were actually done. @lilac, you may have a point – it fits for Strange.
And WHEN is the South Sudan documentary going to appear? He talks about it in the interview.
Dara, maybe it’s some PR damage control. If so it’s a bit late.
@ Becky, I doubt very much whether Tom has any control over when that documentary comes out.
Although his ad for Unicef’s work in South Sudan is appearing regularly on tv at the moment.
He’s always done thematic photo shoots even when they were not related to any big promotion or movie release. For non-established actors photo work is important and will serve as some PR. But Tom has basically never turned down any ‘side work’ / promo work. He’s done a lot of bit parts, dramatic readings etc. as a lot of actors do.
He seems to categorize it all, photo shoots and dramatic side-jobs as: 1) part of the job of being an actor, and 2) ways to continually practice different characterizations through modeling.
I’m not saying he has focused on his modeling for character development, more as professional follow through with some added character exposure. So maybe it’s a good thing that he exposes himself to these varying representations so that has some idea how it feels wearing a different character and costume.
Well, it appears that the interview took place in July, so it would have been arranged before that. I suspect they thought it would a) give Strange & Thor a bit of cross promotion b) continue with TNM promo as they look towards the Globes and c) that they’d capitalize on Tom’s highly publicized affair, which they weren’t planning on being over by the time it was published.
I think TIDDLES was supposed to last past the Emmy’s but 6 weeks of nonstop living together, the enormous PR backlash and Reckoning of the Receipts caused that train to derail ahead of schedule.
Spidey, I wasn’t referring to the Sudan doc, that’s been in the works for some time.
I meant general damage control, as Bonzo pointed out backlash, due to his involvement with a certain someone, which he’s still being dragged for (see Nymag take on this interview).
Bonzo, yep as BCs birthday is mentioned the interview must be around the 19th July. To put that in perspective that was when Taylor was in Oz; the Emmy noms were announced on the 14th, and Kim dropped the receipts on the 17th.
Because magazines, which are in the business to make money, are always willing to just do damage control for random actors on the spur of the moment.
Lilacflowers, yes.
His publicist set up the interview with one of his friends and co-ordinated the shoot.
There’s also this tweet:
https://twitter.com/randipeck/status/781147589148348417
Randi Peck is the Entertainment Director for Interview magazine.
This interview would have been set up while TIDDLES was in the midst of their international “we’re really, really in love” press tour and yes, damage control would have been a part of Luke’s PR scheme. The mag would have wanted to capitalize on the affair. Both had an angle.
What is this “comet sophie”? I know that’s benedicts wife but what was the issue? Was it because it was also really rushed?
I think it was something like she is always trailing behind him or in his orbit like a satellite, or some such sentiment?
They got together at about the same time the Rosetta mission landed Philae on a comet. We were joking that Sophie was so great she could land on a comet. And, since we already named a cocktail in honour of LEGS – the Fizzy Hiddles, we named the Comet Sophie in honour of Mrs Cumberbatch. Then we just started calling her Comet Sophie.
LOL…Sixer, seriously woman, you should get out more….! 🙂
What is the recipe for a Fizzy Hiddles and a Comet Sophie?
I am having a party shortly and I like to torture my friends with my guilty pastimes.
If I can make people drink Fizzy Hiddles all night, oh that would be excellent.
It’s rather embarrassing that I remember this shiznit, I concede, BritAfrica!
detritus – I think Lilac has the recipes?
Detritus–ask Lilac and Bonzo for the Pervy Tombanger recipe as well!
Yeah, I remember those days. They were trying to make it out like she was the next Diana or Amal. Skilled pianist, equestrian, speaks 12 languages, directs theater and opera, dramaturgist, playwright. She was supposed to be this Renaissance Woman all because Cumby couldn’t be caught getting just anyone pregnant.
Then Tumblr found she dropped out of Oxford and never graduated like they claimed. And the “awards” she claimed to have won were actually grants.
“Then Tumblr found she dropped out of Oxford and never graduated like they claimed. And the “awards” she claimed to have won were actually grants. ”
Because Tumblr would know. Is that the same Tumblr that thinks that Cumby’s son is a doll?
I don’t have the recipes for the Pervy Tombanger or Fizzy Hiddles. Sorry. Bonzo may be able to help? I know vodka is involved with one of them. Vodka makes everything better.
@Sasha: No. As a matter of fact, I got this info from someone who believes that the baby is not a doll or rented child actor. I would’ve had more respect for Cumby if he just kept it low-profile.
I feel sorry for Sophie, Cumby seems embarrassed of her. I’m not hating here.
For those of you who’ve been here for years, the Pervy Tombanger and Fizzy Hiddles originated with the Thornfield ladies back in 2013:
http://www.celebitchy.com/318777/tom_hiddleston_on_his_vampire_costar_tilda_swinton_shes_an_extraordinary_artist/
I got lost in the suggestions, so I just use the recipe for a Peach Blow Fizz, cause that seems to fit Tweebie like Tommy:
– 2 oz gin
– 1 oz light cream
– juice of 1/2 lemons
– 1/2 tsp powdered sugar
– 1/4 peach
– 1/4 carbonated water
Shake all ingredients (except carbonated water) with ice and strain into a highball glass over ice cubes. Fill with carbonated water, stir, and serve.
Serve in Highball.
I’d forgotten that Fanty suggested the Pervy Tombanger be absinthe floated on a bed of champers, also called Death in the Afternoon. Sounds like a good banger alright.
Comet Sophie recipe: drink a shot of absinthe. Drink a second shot of absinthe. Pour a lot of vodka and other ingredients I can’t remember due to two shots of absinthe into a shaker with ice. Shake while contemplating the cosmos. Drain, garnish with an octopus, drink.
Ah no.
I was hoping it was cassis, champagne and a dash of social climbing, as I do not have an octopus to spare. Maybe I can pretend a expertly sliced hotdog is an octopus. After two shots of absinthe who would know?
I do think cassis and champagne may have been involved. Some added gin and rum, as well. I think after 2 shots of absinthe, octopi just appear. Like magic! Like Sophie!
Oh I love you veranda ladies. I feel bit tipsy just reading the cocktail instructions.
I have had a head cold all day and napped now awake in the stupid hours…but reading this is making me happy. Ah the glee of the Comet Sophie Days! Remember the weird honeymoon auto ad shoot?
@Liberty, Ah yes, the honeymoon auto ad shoot! Done in the waning days of his Jaguar contract in what appeared to be a desperate and futile last ditch attempt to get the contract renewed as he was being shoved out for other actors. Alas, he got one last voiceover and Mark got to raise eyebrows left and right and purr “It’s good to be bad” in subsequent voiceovers while Nicholas got to invent flying, swirling stuff, and Tommy got to ride in a helicopter, recite Shakespeare, and feed Ben Kingsley to a cat.
I always find actors interviewing other actors so, so cringey.
Given that Interview was created by Warhol, cringey may have been the goal.
Yes, please.
I cannot WAIT to read this interview.
But “unsolicited photographs” ??
Yeah, right.
LOL Right?
What about the professional photographer on the 4th of July, and the instagramming of polaroids/professional pics by various Taymerica squad members?
Exactly, and every obviously staged pap shot -incl with his mother in a remote village in Suffolk – published through the same agency, and Taylor staring straight at the photographer?
They obviously think people who see these pics are stupid, it’s so patronising.
@Becky “It’s interesting, we all live in a world where every phone has a camera, and there’s nothing new really about the spotlight on me.”
That was what Hiddles was saying a month ago, so your ‘patronising’ comment is right on the money imo. The internet never forgets though. Looking back you’ve got PDA pap shots from their Rhode Island debut, the Selena Gomez concert, shots at various restaurants around the world (complete with very obvious PDA), PDA in Rome/the Colosseum, and the Suffolk visit/family beach walk.
Then you’ve got the 4th of July… the infamous Ryan Reynold’s shot, Taylor’s squad getting in on the instaPReening action (e.g. posting polaroids of them kissing), and to top it off that infamous tank top. Not only did the paps get shots of that top, but Gigi Hadid also tweeted a professionally shot group photo with Hiddleston (wearing the I <3 TS top) standing right in the front row.
It's laughable that he's trying to completely distance himself from it all now; it's not like he flat out refused to participate in the media circus alongside Swift.
*Eye roll to end all eye rolls* Yes, all of those pesky tourists with high-end cameras who stumbled across you and your family with Tay Tay on a beach in Suffolk. Are you *bleeping* kidding me?
Yeah, not even your friends can convince the thinking public that any of those papped shots weren’t arranged by Taylor & Co. with your sign off. But, keep pushing that privacy narrative, TommyAnnE if you think it’ll stick one of these days.
We have pitchers of Comet Sophies. And dark chocolate sea salt caramel truffles because a co-worker just left a box on my desk. And apples because my secretary went apple picking.
I have salted caramel choc ices.
And you’re all welcome to them.
Also autumn-flavoured Pimms.
You had me at sea salt caramel. OMG…sea salt caramel apples.
I’ll join you for a good pumpkin ale. That’s all I’m drinking right now, along with the iced pumpkin cookies, pumpkin chocolate chip muffins and butternut squash ravioli with pumpkin spaghetti sauce I’m devouring this season.
I had pumpkin chip cookies last night. Looking forward to pumpkin ravioli with my surgeon soon. We take turns treating each other to pumpkin ravioli every fall because of something funny involving a discussion of pumpkin ravioli during my surgery – I expressed very strong opinions on the issue, despite being unconscious at the time. We celebrate my recovery every year and it is his turn to treat me.
What a nice way to celebrate another year above ground with your doc! That’s as good as a birthday celebration.
Thanks. Yes, I had a fabulous medical team and have stayed close with all my doctors. Sometimes the anesthesiologist joins us. He brought me a pint of Ben & Jerry’s sorbet the night after my second surgery to help with the resulting soreness from having a tube down my throat.
And my great aunt just showed me the package of Pumpkin Spice Oreos she has stashed away in a drawer with a box of Pumpkin Spice pop tarts. Seriously. Pumpkin Spice Oreos.
he looks hot. and la la la la to those who says otherwise 😀
I agree and the Gay leather man vibe is ok in my book. You don’t have to be a Gay man to appreciate a bit of the old Village people look.
If he wants to go down the traffic cop or construction worker route I will not be complaining.
Actually I think these pics have a Helmut Newton thing going on.
Actually I will say the leather jacket/vest shots look good.
Still giving me Rob Halford vibes.
Haha. Yeah that cover’s got my bee hive buzzing. La la la la la la
A muppet in leather. No.
It does look like he belongs in a gay bar; sorry! Channeling Freddy Mercury. Between this and Gucci he’s lost that manly vibe for me. Both photoshoots seem more like performance art. Ick. Waiting for SI trailer….
I mean… as if the gay conspirators needed any more reasons to peg Tom as in the closet. Leather daddy vibes!
The gay vibe is strong in all of his photo shoots. Not sure if that’s his vibe or the way they style him.
I don’t think these photos are emitting gay vibe. but whatever some minority will always find some vibe at everything.
Tom hasn’t yet played a gay character, as far as I know, so I am all for him emitting the gay vibes and landing a role as a gay character. The gossip from the gay sites would be amazing and I think Tom in such a role could be very interesting.
He is too frail to be any kind of daddy, let alone a leather daddy.
He looks like Vincent Adultman, 3 boys in a trenchcoat.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0du6gEMm7bY
@Jenna
This photo shoot I can see that interpretation cause of the leather, S&M and Freddy Mercury imagery. But his other shoots don’t have any gay vibe. People characterize finely dressed, posh, effete and that style regalia as gay. It’s so easy to label polished style or urbane, like male fashion models, and men with Tom’s body type, slender, non-muscular, graceful as gay. We’re trained to read that imagery as potentially being gay. It’s a stereotype.
I’m not a fan of marvel movies in general, but I’ve watched some of Tom’s independent movies and he’s a really good actor imo. It’s a shame all this nonsense detracts from it, his celebrity persona just strikes me as kind of silly and fake.
The hair is the worst part of this.
Truly – the state of his hairline is distressing.
UGH Nooooooo to the leather outfit, not feeling it.
While Hiddles has some amazing baby blue eyes, he just does not do it for me otherwise. Idk, maybe it is just me but I do not see the heightened physical attraction there.
Gah the last pic is terrible…so stiff and self conscious
He looks like Rob Halford in the leather cap, though. And I somehow don’t mind.
Is this Loki in bondage?!
Thank you! LOL..just spit out me coffee.
He just needs to be himself..he is HOT being himself.
The day he connects with that knowledge, Chef Grace, he’ll become his OWN comet.
And no, Becky, it’s definitely not just you 😉
MI6, it’s not just me then!
I prefer the photoshoot with leather Tommy-policeman rather than the interview… they talk a looooot.
I love Tom, but I think two british guys in the morning are to much for me today.
😆 that could be taken more than one way
Haha @spidey.
For being two friends in real life, they sure do compliment one another obsequiously. Their hands must get tired from incessantly patting each other on the back.
Naughty spidey! That black leather might be having an affect on you.
@popup TH and BC remind of mac and tosh from looney tunes.
“after you”
“oh no, no, no, after you”
@that’swhatshesaid YES!
I don’t mind this photoshoot too much, certainly better than W or Gucci but his best was for epdfilm magazine
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/CQBWNVyWgAAWr4i.jpg
yes, this one was more a natural look, which Tom does so much better than eclectic types..I guess I am just not into the artsy stuff. 🙂
I do enjoy his interviews. The man is a word weaver. I mean that in a nice way.
I like that one. It’s a nice shot – serious and moody without being weird or forced-looking.
He’s submitted himself for punishment, for our enjoyment, as repentance for Tiddlesbanging.
I’m having yet another giggling fit after the afghan episode (which, after a couple of days, has grown on me, and the clothes and general aesthetic are beautiful and it was quite the get in terms of a high profile fashion campaign, though the shoes are still ridiculous). I didn’t think I could feel such joy again after the demise of Tiddlesbanging, but then Tom comes along in this leather getup.
Why the timing of this interview? What is he promoting? Gucci? Is this the sort of interview that actors do between projects to stoke the public fire?
Shoes aside, the Gucci photos are really starting to grow on me too, but it took a minute.
Me too. The shoes are another story though. They’re in their own universe.
Agree, the shoes are dreadful. But the suits are growing on me too.
It was taped at least a couple of months ago.
The Gucci photos gave us the TomandLorenzo brilliant story, which made me very happy.
Yes lilac. Yeass. That’s what all fashion trade editorials would all be like in my world.
The Gucci shoot reminds me of a Wes Anderson set.
Totally Wes Anderson, with a big helping of the Peacock Revolution from the 60’s.
The more I look at it, the more I dig it.
The Budapest Hotel. Ralph Fiennes looked absolutely ridiculous in those clothes, and he owned it. The serious face just doesn’t go with those clothes.
Agree with Sasha on that point. Fiennes really melted into that character. I don’t know if it’s simply because it’s still photos that we’re looking at, but Tom always looks like he’s playing dress up when he does these kinds of shoots with the edgy or trendy attire. He also looks uncomfortable in them to me.
Then again, he looked very unnatural to me when he was sporting the tight, trendy striped suits during his spring promotional run. So it may not be the fact that it’s a still photo as opposed to a film with the opportunity to “own” the character.
He’s too prim and proper to look right in leather-unless, of course, he’s in his Loki (badass!) persona.
This. He doesn’t have the personality to pull this off.
Yes to the Loki Badass persona. He needs to go more into the dark side of Loki.
I think Tom looks great. Love the black. Kind of Bondish
@ Rose, I read that as Bondage!
Me too and I scrolled back up to check!
When Tom doesn’t smile, photos of him look like they were taken under duress.
Well, we all know he’s been working on his fitness, so now he’s a model?
Wish Ben were in the photos too and they could have done some Zoolander poses.
He’s trying too hard. Way too hard. The cover photo barely looks like him.
The other shots look like he’s trying to be dark and edgy and sexy which *still* comes across as being totally at odds with his personality and demeanour generally, as well as how he is in this interview. And yeah, it’s all a bit camp really, camp and silly.
Ugh, this man. What is it with him? He’s so incredibly desperate to be a HW A-lister NOW, RIGHT NOW, that he appears pretty foolish a lot of the time. He has so much going for him, but somehow it isn’t enough and he can’t get there fast enough. Shame.
But his thirst is so funny!!
Look at these full on village people leather daddy photos. Between this and the Gucci ventriloquist fop pics, he’s turning into a hilarious gif machine.
http://www.scoopnest.com/user/JarettSays/781150707772567552
😂
Disagree about the cover photo. It looks like him or what he looked like 2-3 yrs ago. Actually his RADA head shots are this exact pose and expression. The full leather biker suit looks good on him. He’s definitely got the body for it, not the personality though. He needs to stop with the serious expression now or break it up with some other ones (not just the raise eyebrow face either). His best look is carefree and happy, so he can’t leave those completely out of promo shots. Gotta mix it up at the very least.
IDK. It’s part of the job. He’s got SI coming down the pipe.
Laughing my tits of ~unsolicited photographs~? 😂 the audacity to try to claim like those paparazzi shots weren’t practically photoshoots.
Both him and Ben sound like fakeass pretensious douches, do they think people are that stupid?
Indeed! Hopelessly contrived really, like the photoshoot. It’s all a game. Create an image, sell a product. I don’t know what the point is anymore. TH is a decent classically trained actor with the type of look and the smarts to be a really well-respected, and fairly high-profile *character* actor and yet – It’s popcorn flicks, shameless Bond campaigning and dressing up like a Village People reject. lol
Both are a bit pretentious on their own and together they are ridiculous in their mutual appreciation society transcript.
Also, I think you’ll find a hard time finding an actor who would be happy being a character actor for the rest of his life and claims he wouldn’t want to be a leading actor playing across a variety of roles and genres. Some might say that but only because they haven’t been pegged for stardom and don’t want to be appear desperate. Also, Tom has done plenty of smaller-scale indie/art films and projects recently, so not sure why you think he’s given up on doing “character” work.
Probably true. But the desperation, the contrivance, the floundering around trying to come up with something – anything – that will get attention and move him up the ladder: it’s overpowering at this point. What a strange industry it must be to work in.
Pop up,
Ned Beatty.
@Uh-huh
That’s the way the film/media industry works. It’s gotten worse and worse over the decade especially with social media and the expansion of global and independent competition in film production. All actors have different paths and trajectory that get them to A-list or commercial level. Some land the perfect TV role that got lots of air time in US. Usually hot talented actors are discovered (scouted) while they’re in their 20s at the latest. Not to say they’re not as talented, but age is half the game in this industry.
So if Tom seems desperate because he has to promote all his work, there’s no shame in that. He’s not an established A-lister or the hot, young twenty-something scrapper that’s getting top roles in BB studio films. At least he’s at a level that decent, trade PR opportunities are available to him, and he’s willing to do the work to promote himself and hence promote his work.
I disagree that all character actors are dying to be leading men. They may have moments they are envious (grass is always greener type thing, it’s human nature) or curious about what that type of life would be like but on the whole wouldn’t want to trade places. Some people aren’t cut out for such a public life, they enjoy their anonymity, the ability to go out without becoming a spectacle or being hounded. Carrying a movie that costs hundreds of millions of dollars and feeling that pressure and responsibility, being the public face of it, and taking the hit if it does poorly or isn’t a good film (when you really have very limited power or say in the direction and quality) is a big burden, with a big payoff, but not everyone is cut out for that. Also, the promotion, junkets, late night talk shows, doesn’t appeal to some people and they wouldn’t want to take on that role or responsibility. Lots of talented people are happy to stay in plays or Broadway and be famous within their little community and just do the work. I would imagine a lot of character actors like being able to do the work, make a good living, and live a normal life between projects. Thankfully not everyone is perusing fame, they follow their own passions and motivations.
Once, I would have decried the suggestion, but since he’s said it twice now, I’m pretty sure Tom (at least) actually does believe we are that stupid. Shame.
At any time, 95% of actors are out of work with no jobs in site. You need to be eager and passionate because the competition is fierce.
Sure but you don’t have to insult the public’s intelligence but playing the game hard and then turn around claim you are not. Don’t play brand new, it is disrespectful, disingenuous and annoying to the people that follow you and support your career.
Wow, he does not pull that off at all. Of course, might work better if the leather wasn’t two or three sizes too small…
I can’t help but think the “Keep Out” sign behind him is a message to his fandom.
He’s trying to be on the avant garde part of high fashion when it just doesn’t suit him. He’s amazing, but he can’t pull this off, his face is too classic.
Okay, now we need new drinks to fit each photo shoot..
I nominate the “Tie me up, tie me down”
wow, I think he pulled it off perfectly. Love the dark vive.
*vibe 😀
I personally like almost all the photos he takes and these are no exception. I think the black suits him and he looks way more comfortable when dressed up a little more. Love his sharp features and the one where he is sitting down. Really handsome.
BTW…
I don’t think Tom showed up onto these photo shoots demanding photos be taken of him for their magazine. Don’t fashion lines and magazines choose person who they are interested in?
Don’t they direct the look of that particular photo shoot?
Its the bubble. You trash a certain actor and you think everyone feels that way because your validated by others on that particular site.
I looked at other fashion magazine websites and the comments there are very different. They seem to like him and those photos from Gucci and I’m sure Interview as well.
@verdant33 exactly. some are always gonna do that no matter what.
Yes my beauties, Daddy is hiding in plain sight. Ooh Yvonne, thank you my lamb I do look butch, yes? Of course I forgive you for savaging those slippers Calliope, it has been a summer of madness. Plus with no slippers I am forced to where those boots that make me aggressive, grrr! Marlon Brando?! Yes I think so too but I’m not fat. Esmerelda, say it, say it Missy! Oh you vixen, Daddy is not getting chunky, Uncle Otter says I look mahvelous!
Totally biased as I am, this still made me snort coffee on my keyboard. I may forever regret reading that TomandLorenzo piece (//whispers: but not really!//)
The Tom and Lorenzo’s piece is art, it is. I am going to start reading their blog now just due to that post!
They might have been trying for a hetero, safe-for-work Tom of Finland look?
this is so ugly, jesus. Whyyyyyy Tom
Oh my LOL Lord, that has to be one of the luvviest, smarmiest, most self-loving, most self-reverential, most self-indulgent interviews ever! Have they no shame?! 😀
It could have been saved if the accompanying shoot was Tom and Benedict mucking about in a knowingly luvvie, sending-themselves-up fashion (Zoolander-style, as Browniecakes says upthread).
Unfortunately, neither one of them seems to be in on the joke that is their joint pretentiousness!
“Oh my LOL Lord, that has to be one of the luvviest, smarmiest, most self-loving, most self-reverential, most self-indulgent interviews ever!”
You are so right, but I can’t be mad at them. There are some pictures of those two from times past floating around, and together they are adorable, like two puppies.
If only they had kept the tone to what it was in the beginning: light, poking fun at their Britishy Britishisms. Then they basically fellate one another for the remainder of the interview. SO amusing to read but my eyes are tired from rolling.
I think he’s gorgeous. Not sure what the fuss is over the photoshop on the cover. Women are photoshopped to oblivion all of the time…
@bobo exactly. plus I also think he looks fabulous here.
Toms year of thirst continues.
Why don’t you try acting, dear boy!
Oh you must provide the source-attribution for “Why don’t you try acting, dear boy?” 🙂
Sir Laurence Olivier to Dustin Hoffman.😀
This was July 2016. I think he’s come to his senses now.
Actually, I have to admit that I prefer Tom’s acting to Oliviers, but that might be damning with faint praise because I’ve never been a fan of Olivier.
>>>The Tiddlebanging was actually pretty comparable to the Comet Sophie nonsense that went down two years ago.
I have to disagree. Cumberbatch kept his relationship hidden for at least a year, and only took it public when they’d reached the deciding to marry and start a family stage. He couldn’t realistically have kept it secret any longer. And they’ve always kept their relationship very private, relatively speaking. She goes with him to his red carpet events and did that one cheesey car ad and one magazine wedding dress spread, but the wedding was private and their child’s always been kept strictly out of the public eye (when it’s pretty normal for celebs to sell their wedding and baby pics). I mean, nearly all celebs bring their significant others to red carpet events so I don’t know why it’s only famewhoring when Sophie Hunter does it.
The only reason “Comet Sophie” became a ‘thing’ was because Cumberbatch unfortunately has some absolutely psychotic fans who are obsessed with his personal life and think any woman he dates is literally Satan. I mean, it’s been years and they still stalk him and run hate blogs for his wife 24/7, and still insist the marriage is fake and the baby a plastic doll! If it wasn’t for them and their outrage, no one would have blinked twice at the idea of some B-list movie actor bringing his fiancée to a handful of award shows.
Hiddleswift on the other hand were doing fully choreographed pap extravaganzas completed with matching costumes from practically their first date. There is legitimate reason to suspect it was never a real relationship but rather a PR stunt all along.
This!
And don’t forget cumberbatch was at least campaigning for an Oscar. What is Tom campaigning for? Bond? Lucrative model gigs? A list gigs? Celebrity status? Teenage fan base?
Not to mention Sophie and Benedict are married with a kid now. Taylor and Tom has some kind of summer of love between 7th and 8th grade relationship. At least bendy is in a mature relationship.
@Meg D – ^ And that’s the truth. Comparing the two is ridiculous. Ben is a grown up in a grown up relationship and only his psychotic fans are unable to see that. Tom, on the other hand is still flailing about, trying to find a suit that fits.
The only explanation for Tom’s thirsty behaviour must be a mid life crusis, I mean, Taylor Swift? And for what?
Taylor is probably the only A-list female in acting or music who would have been just as game to all the PR maneuvering. Can you think of any other mage-famous woman who would have agreed to all the PR performances that TIDDLES did?
In a sense, Tom and Tay were perfectly suited famewhores, thus they entertained us enormously with their publicity stunts. Taylor truly met her attention-loving match in Tom. Too bad her immaturity made him look like a tit. It’s going to be a long time (if ever) for him to change the impression he’s made on many of us.
Cumberbatch and Sophie did not have a “hidden relationship” for a year.
It was just a few months, and he knocked her up. They made a go of it. If it is working, good for them.
But agreed, the comparisons make no sense.
Uh-oh . . . I foresee an eruption of jeers on the skeptic web sites about that non-existent baby Cumbers is talking about . . . but I digress . . . Hiddles looks absurd in those photos. So far this year he’s done paper briefs, overbred aristo in fey clothing, and leather. None of them worked.
i cant imagine any Hollywood lady wants to date him after that crazy Taylor stunt,
Evan Leah Michelle said on Ellen, she would date Michael b Jordan, Calvin Harris, prince Harry and zac effron.
“But one person she definitely would avoid is British actor Tom Hiddleston.
“He’s got too much going on, I can’t get with that,” she told the host.”
http://www.mirror.co.uk/3am/celebrity-news/lea-michele-admits-wouldnt-want-8920937
The question is whether any of them would deign to date Lea.
That isn’t exactly how the game went, and she never said he was the one person she would avoid. Ellen shows her two guys, and she picks one over the other: she chose Michael B. Jordan over Tom, and Calvin Harris over Michael B. Jordan later on (which is where she lost me, taste-wise.) The ONLY one she was totally for was Zac Efron. So, again, I question her selective abilities.
So basically the tabloids distorted what happened, who’d a thunk it? Actually when I read the headline my though was – one of two possible responses from Tom –
“Who?” or “That’s ok I wasn’t asking”. 😆
@totallybiased
so basically Tom was just the least physically desirable to her. It was not about the Taylor mess?
@lilacflowers 😃 Why do you think that? He dated Taylor, I don’t know why you’d still like to pretend he’s above teen idols.
Lea is a theatre kid too. She originated roles on Broadway. He will know who she is, if he’s well informed.
Okcomputer;
well, I watched the whole clip and her least desirable was John Stamos if you’re judging it like that. She chose Taylor Lautner over him, then Nick Jones, then Prince Harry who beat Harry Styles but lost to Michael B. Jordan.
Mr. J beat Jared from the Bachelor, Bruno Mars , and Tom–she thought he was too distracted by Priyanka Chopra.
Michael B. Jordan then beat Scott Eastwood (though in that case she asked if she could have both–I again question her taste!), Blake Griffin, and Justin Bieber before losing to Calvin Harris (seriously?)
Calvin Harris beat Leonardo DiCaprio and Jared Leto before losing to a shirtless Zac Efron.
But hey, Tom still makes the tabloids drool and is valuable clickbait, as proven by the reaction here.
@OKcomputer
Lea was in Spring Awakening on Broadway and then she went to TV right? And she was never a famous Broadway star either. I don’t think many people outside of US tv watchers and US tabloids would necessarily know who she is.
@OkComputer, excuse me? I questioned that ANY of them, not him in particular, would deign to date her. I know little about her but she has a reputation for being extremely difficult and unlikeable and diva-ish. And I’m not pretending anything. I have stated repeatedly that I don’t care who anyone dates and I don’t know why you are pretending otherwise
He needs to work on all the sun damage to his skin. Go get a peel Tiddles, and wear sunscreen.
Tom: “Tay Tay, look at my photo spread for Interview Magazine!”
Tay: “We need to talk …”
Seriously, I think she saw these and dumped him!!
So I don’t think Tom is a bad model at all, but he certainly doesn’t have the skill of a professional inthe game to overcome a photographer who isn’t good for him. With the right photographer (Charlie Gray, Jason Heatherington as examples) he is glorious.
I personally don’t enjoy his looks in these (except the cover) but I can appreciate that they are in the Interview wheelhouse. It isn’t a great place for Tom, but I’ve seen worse in the magazine. Kind of like the 1883 shoot–some were beautiful, some were frightening.
This. I totally agree TotallyB. I very much appreciate Tom’s work ethic, his fortitude and his gratitude to what he’s achieved. But those admirable qualities aren’t really serving him in key situations. That professional “in-the-game” skill, which is a little bit pushy or even diva-ish (egotistical), is not his strong suit; he’s too gracious. He needs to recognize this and become more savvy in his dealings with industry professionals he’s encountering. I really hope he’s got someone that’s knowledgeable about the industry and acting to get a straight opinion from and constructive advice.
I don’t know who has become more insufferable – Cumby or Tommy.
Imagine a double date with Sophie and Taylor.
I think I rather gouge out my own eyeballs and feed them to a cat.
I miss the European metrosexual insufferableness living in the US.
There is too much of salt of the earth types here. There has to be some balance.
I think I would have no problem watching Tommy, Cumby , Eddie and the rest of them . Bring it on ))
And there we have it. In america brits with a stiff upper lip are seen as exotic and refined. Here they are a reminder of our class system, regardless of how nice and harmless they are.
@leah. We would gladly trade you our version of US upper class, Donald Trump, for 10,000 stiffy-lip brits.
🙂
I need a reason, I guess, for this. Tom feels so overexposed to me (for ‘unsolicited’ reasons). Tom has nothing coming out soon. Interview’s interview finally gets around to Dr. Strange in the last paragraph which is coming out for Ben very soon. Is the idea here that we’re more likely to click on Tom’s pictures, or click on an interview that might have Tom talking about Taylor than we’ll click on a Ben photo or a Ben interview? Is this really for the benefit of Ben’s upcoming movie?
I think Tom got booked for a lot of things because of the heat of the Tiddleswiftbang what the ever and mags thought they could sell on that. Now it all looks ridiculous. ETA: and ill timed.
And the publisher may have thought they’d do more than run off their IMDB credits since they are personal friends.
There’s nothing new in this interview at all. Very boring.
Seems like a solid Marvel cross-promotional thing, with Hiddleswift in the news and Doctor Strange coming up. The interview took place in August, before Hiddleswift imploded, so maybe the mag was hoping to publish in the wake of an Emmy win and/or continued Hiddleswift mania.
The photographer, Steven Klein, posted the cover on Instagram with #taylorswift. Hilarious.
Interview Magazine’s home page features the Tom story and directly below is a photo shoot with Priyanka Chopra.
*snort*
Exactly popup. I don’t see what the big mystery is here. They’re both actors that are closely related from their past work together, their reported friendship and now their both part of the Marvel family. Ben’s Marvel movie is coming out soon and there’s been several puff pieces out there on the Ragnarok shooting. Tom’s been in the media these past months and Ben is an Oscar nominated actor. Who’s not going to do a puff promo piece?
I need one too. I read all the babbling… all of it. And at the end it promotes Dr. Strange, which I have no interest in seeing.
For some reason I keep thinking about Christian Bale and his shoots of the American Psycho time. They were pretty edgy and cool and also very similar to these.
I think the difference was that Bale had a hint of a knowing smile/ smirk on this face, which is his trademark look. I tried imagining it on Tom and decided a smirk would’ve been even worse.
I don’t know , don’t hurt me, but Tom is missing something compared to Bale. Charisma, acting skill ?
Interesting comparison. It’s a possibility that a photoshoot like this is attempting to demonstrate that TH can be edgy or scary or dangerous or something – acting-wise that is. For me it doesn’t work. All I can see is someone playing dress-up and looking strange and slightly silly. He’s not rocking it at all and it doesn’t feel right. Like others have said, it’s that feeling of second-hand embarrassment creeping in again. If he was really chameleon-like and versatile as an actor he could do it, or if he had an image that was more in-line with what we’re shown here, but he can’t and he doesn’t. IMO of course.
Bale has an intensity that arrives from being the workhorse of his family.
He’s volatile for a reason. He was surrounded his whole life by people living off of his work.
Hides ton isn’t ‘damaged goods’, some of our best actors carry on their shoulders some awful stuff. Hides went to a good school, had agreeable parents, did summer things, etc..
Yeah, he doesn’t need this. He was dark enough for me in High Rise.
He’s missing both charisma and acting skills. Christian Bale and Benny for that matter, have it in spades compared to tommyboy. His thirst is so overpowering that I can’t see past it to give him even one compliment. He might be the thirstiest non-American actor ever.
When I read Tom’s movie reviews, they always praise him. Reviews may not praise the movie, but they say he did well. Same for the plays he’s in. He’s a talented actor, whose chosen some challenging roles.
Lilac flowers OMG! Full image of Hiddleston in loincloth staring at the TayAmerica slide stuck partially out of the sand. Bwaaa ha ha! Sixer, isn’t Taylor and her PR team Skynet? All I know it is a gorgeous day after scorching heat it’s high 70’s and blue skies. Why must I work?? I need a villa, Colin serving refreshments watching Tommy reclined on the ridiculousky expensive lounge sroking Esmerelda as I shop online…I swear I’d spend less than Bucket.
I love the picture where he is sitting in the chair, looking like a war criminal 😉 In fact I nearly love all of these pictures. The interview is great too. It really feels like a informal chat between friends.
He looks like an inmate on death row about to be electrocuted.
Which may be the metaphorical equivalent of dating Taylor Swift.
LMAO! He does, sorry to say. How on earth any of these images are a winner for him PR-wise (especially given the last few months) I can’t fathom. It’s BAD. He needs new management and representation as a matter of urgency.
Now that I’ve read the interview, I’m firmly in the Disney/Marvel preplanned Dr. Strange promotion camp. They might have been able to sell it to Interview with Tom because of his higher profile dating Taylor at the time (figure the interview was late July) but it’s unclear who is interviewing who in this! Tom asks questions and Bendy chats away just as much. They have that “we both work for Marvel now” moment, and the bio paragraph nicely focuses on Bendy’s upcoming Dr. Strange movie.
Yup. And Interview has to always be “different” so having the one who is promoting a movie interview the one who isn’t but is from a similar background and is part of the same franchise and is filming a movie in that franchise is the “different” spin.
And this interview was done around the end of July/early August. Asking questions about the relationship and having those answers published NOW when the relationship is very much over would be extremely awkward for the participants AND the editors of the publication.
This guy is as bland as they come. There is nothing he brings to a photoshoot like Idris Elba or Liam Neeson, George Clooney, etc, do, even now older. Hiddleston has zero “it” factor in magazine shoots. They appear effortlessly cool. Huddles just looks like a try-hard.
Never seen Idris, Liam or Clooney in any of these type characterizations. Maybe not the best comparison. Let us know when they do though.
I love the photos…..fabulous. Thats all I’ve got. The one in the chair….yes
He looks lost and uncomfortable. You need an edge to pull off a Steven Klein photoshoot which often lends itself to alot of S&M motifs and he does not have it. That is why Klein’s shoots with Bowie, Rihanna, Alexander Skarsgard, Kate Moss, Kidman and God help me, Kristen Stewart work.
He or his management are really making him look desperate with all these stunts and photoshoots that simply do not work. So try hard. And I don’t know what they are trying to achieve other than to make him look foolish.
Wow. What is the fuss over this guy. Maybe I am old, but he has nothing on Ralph Fiennes.
the cover shot is strangely attractive but the others still feel kinda awkward, overstyled, something.
i really did think he was borderline kinda hot or intriguing or something before all this tiddles stuff happened. guess it was the british mystery-man thing. that’s gone now.
I normally don’t like any photoshoots with Tom Hiddleston, but I really like this one. I think because it reminds me of an 80’s Depeche Mode video & I loved DM – I actually wouldn’t be surprised if that was the inspiration, since half the photos look like they came from the People Are People video. The pic of him standing on a box (not here tho), I swear I’ve seen Martin Gore in that exact outfit and pose. And the one with Tom in the chair is giving me Strangelove vibes… Plus the cover literally stopped me in my tracks, I’ve never seen him look so intense & compelling, and I watched The Night Manager where he was trying very hard to be intense & compelling!
I love Depeche Mode. They were my favorite band back in the day. I saw them on the Black Celebration and Music for the Masses tours. “Get the Balance Right” and “Enjoy the Silence” remixes are some of the best that exist. And you’re right about the black leather outfit and straps especially the outfits Martin Gore would wear. And Dave would wear fitted leather pants and jacket too. Maybe the photographer did have them in mind. Hard to say since it’s not an exclusive theme anymore, especially in music.
“because there are unsolicited photographs of him and a certain someone, in a relationship or together”
“unsolicited”…wow! the interviewee once compained that now everyone has a cellphone with a camera….
Well, I actually love that cover photo. He looks very yummy there. But, yeah, I hate the other photos. They manage to make him look weird yet forgettable.
It looks like Tom is trying out for the part of Justin Theroux.
Ok the cover looks hot. He doesn’t look right in the s/m leather shots. He’s alright body wise in the leather pants and jacket biker outfit. BUT the shot of him sitting on the chair in black button up shirt and black pants looking straight at the camera is fierce!
I know it’s the same expression he’s used throughout TNM promotion shoots, but it totally works on a different level here. He looks dangerous maybe even deranged. Someone said it looks like he’s in a prison outfit, and I agree. He looks like some kind of Hannibal Lecter character. Scary. I would love to see him develop more of a dark, sinister character. More hard and intense than Loki or a fantasy character. Trying to do the tough guy, hero type is not his strength, but dark, calculating and sinister is. If he did this, he’s got the potential to really break though and land some big, juicy roles, if he fully embodies it as an actor.
Dark suits him. He should do more dark. I think he would be an amazing joker.I hate the present one in sh!tty squad. Tom could pull off heth ledger’s joker.
or hannibel. he could pull off dexter too.
Was it Kaiser or Sixer who said he looks permanently captive at the moment? I think he seems very, very lost. I’m all for experimentation in shoots and playing ‘against type’ but this doesn’t really work and he keeps looking so uncomfortable in his skin. One of his ace qualities was how relaxed he used to appear in himself as a man, physically and otherwise and that seems to have utterly dissipated. I think it was one of the secrets to his sexiness. Lord this TS stuff was such an error. Come on LEGS, make some good choices, re-centre yerself and sort it out!
Agreed. I think this may be a ham-fisted attempt to show he can project something other than posh, debonair, suave, elegant, gentlemanly, pleasant, ‘nice’ or any other sort of quality along those lines. (I mean even playing Loki he’s quite graceful and has a noble sort of bearing to him.) I don’t think it works at all personally. There’s a strong feeling of incongruity about it.
It might have helped if they had acknowledged the experimentation in the interview. As it is, like the Swift fiasco, there’s no real acknowledgement, he just carries on as before, almost as if this stuff has nothing to do with him.
“as Loki he’s quite graceful and has a noble sort of bearing to him. – – [ This photo shoot] doesn’t work at all . . . There’s a strong feeling of incongruity about it.”
I can agree especially with the S&M style leather pics. He’s not carrying it off, and it’s not congruous with his other, more natural qualities. Even as Loki, his graceful and noble bearing is one of the successes of that character. He’s the villain, but he’s not disgusting or deplorable. It’s actually quite pleasant, interesting, maybe even seductive to watch him.
But not all is amiss in this dark, edgy presentation. The photo of him sitting in black prison looking clothes looking straight into camera is quite effective as a very dark and menacing character. I’d like to see him develop that edge in a character. Not sure if he can, it’s darker than anything he’s ever done or is comfortable with. But his intensity along with the stark, eerie imagery, shows some intriguing potential imo.
Photoshoots like this are thought up by the magazine editors based on what they have available and are looking to promote, not the actor or the actor’s PR person and the pictures rarely have anything to do with the interviews.
I guess? If that’s true then you’re saying he just agreed to it because that’s what the magazine wanted? He’s a strange pick for such an avant-garde style of photoshoot that’s for sure. Perhaps he saw it as a challenge.
I’m still of the opinion that his PR/management do not have a good handle on what they’re trying to achieve with and for him – and this latest shoot continues that.
The whole Hiddleswift debacle has not spoken well of anyone who was involved with it; the shifty tactics, tastelessness and chronic incompetence has sadly made TH look like a boob. And he still has the brass neck to play the ‘my private life is private’ card. smh
I wonder whether he feels very uncomfortable about all of it deep down.
Interview Magazine was founded by Andy Warhol. It IS avant garde photo shoots.
@Londongal, “One of his ace qualities was how relaxed he used to appear in himself as a man” – I’ve been noticing that too, and he’s been looking really uptight for a while now, even before this summer. There have been flashes of his old self, but lately it feels like he’s navigating a minefield without a map. I suppose in a sense he is, but the obvious self-consciousness is making matters worse.
EVeryone has been blaming Luke this year, but do you think it is his American PR behind the bad decisions? Would Luke really change tack this much?
Why are people always making excuses for his decisions? He is a grown man, but his fans/stans talk about him like he is a five year old. To me management is like your realtor. They can make offers and suggestions, but if it does not work for you, then you say no, find me something else and even fire them ifor need be. On some level, he thinks this is good/great despite people laughing at him.
I’m not making excuses, I said “the” bad decisions not “their” bad decisions. Sorry I didn’t make it clear they were Tom’s!! 🙄
Some actors, especially overloaded ones or newbies, may tend to rely on their management too much though. Ultimately you’re right. The final decisions lie with the actor, and if he/she is not being served well by agents/mngnt then they need to be fired. But that’s easier said than done in an industry that’s got so many moving parts and hands in the pot. Who do you go to that will do a better job? Who’s got the right connections? Who understands you and cares? Who can you trust? etc.
Also, there’s the loyalty factor. That can be very problematic. You risk a person taking some form of retaliation. That’s were the industry gets quite overwhelming and discouraging and why certain, driven, egotistical people do better in the biz than others. They have the tough skin and ego to bare through the rough stuff.
Although I agree that Tom approved of these ideas and obviously went along, but I get the impression that he doesn’t really have a good sense of what works and what doesn’t work in pr and the representation biz. I think he does rely greatly on his management to not only provide ideas but also differs to their judgement on the decisions. It’s their area of knowledge, their job, and I think he assumes they’re always going to make the best choices and recommendations by him. Still I don’t think all his decisions are that bad compared to what’s available to him. Gucci and this spread has some good shots and interesting things we’ve never seen him in. I just think he needs a sharp and trusted advisor to teach him how to swim the deep waters better.
yum, I like those pic.
The 2nd pic, in a chair, is a yes. Oh yes.
Since this post is 2 days old and few will see my post, I’d like to shout at the wind about overwrought/overused words and phrases:
– thirsty / thirstay. Relative and tired.
– yaaaaaaaaassss. Evokes glottal tick and is vomit inducing, not to mention worn.
– vom. Yuck.
– is no bueno. Speak Spanish or don’t.
– bruh. so you’re a DEA snitch?
I read it. Sorry, but yaaaaaaaaasssss.