Unveiling Ouroboros: The Enigmatic Character Portrayed by Ke Huy Quan in Loki Season 2
Ke Huy Quan joins the cast of Loki season 2 as Ouroboros, a mysterious character with connections to Norse mythology and Marvel comics Find out more about Ouroboros' role in the upcoming season and its potential significance for Loki's journey
Summary
Ke Huy Quan joins MCU as Ouroboros in Loki season 2, showcasing his acting prowess and adding to the franchise's stellar cast.
Ouroboros, the TVA's chief engineer, is unveiled, showcasing his brilliance in maintaining their time travel devices.
The ouroboros symbol, tied to Loki and its Norse mythological roots, alludes to a profound connection that will be explored in the upcoming season.
Loki season 2 of Phase 5 introduces a new character named Ouroboros to the MCU. This second season of Tom Hiddleston's Disney+ series was announced on July 14, 2021, during the finale of Loki season 1. It continues the story from the first season, where Loki explores the Time Variance Authority (TVA), encounters different versions of himself, and confronts Jonathan Majors' He Who Remains, a variant of Kang the Conqueror. The post-credits scene of Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania provides a hint about the upcoming storyline and new characters in Loki season 2.
In the season 1 finale of Loki, Sylvie, portrayed brilliantly by Sophia Di Martino, kills He Who Remains, causing numerous branching timelines. This traps Loki in a different version of the TVA, now ruled by Kang the Conqueror himself instead of the fictional Time Keepers. Alongside the introduction of Victor Timely, another Kang variant, season 2 also marks the debut of Ke Huy Quan, who recently won the Academy Award for Best Supporting Actor for his role in Everything Everywhere All At Once.
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Ke Huy Quan Plays Ouroboros In Loki Season 2
In Loki season 2, Tom Hiddleston, Ke Huy Quan, and Owen Wilson join forces. Quan, known for memorable roles such as Short Round in Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and Richard "Data" Wang in The Goonies, takes on the character of Ouroboros in this highly anticipated season. Quan's return to the screen after a hiatus includes his recent portrayal of Waymond Wang in Everything Everywhere All At Once alongside Michelle Yeoh, Stephanie Hsu, and Jamie Lee Curtis.
Ouroboros' Role In Loki Season 2 Explained
Ouroboros In Marvel Comics Explained
Ke Huy Quan's Ouroboros serves as the principal engineer at the TVA, being the sole individual in charge of their engineering tasks. His responsibilities encompass the maintenance and repair of all the faction's equipment, including their intricate time travel devices, which poses a challenge due to their complexity. Fortunately, OB not only exhibits extraordinary intellect but also demonstrates unwavering dedication towards his responsibilities. In the initial episode of Loki season 2, he tirelessly dedicates 400 years to his duties without any visitors, until Loki himself makes an appearance.
Within the realm of Marvel Comics, multiple renditions of Ouroboros exist. One example is the Oculus Oroboros, a significant conduit of elemental magic that showcases a unique variation of the iconic ouroboros shape—depicting not one, but two snakes entwined in a circular formation. A notable incident involves Doctor Doom's ill-fated endeavor to harness the power of the Oculus Oroboros, which was ultimately thwarted by Doctor Strange. Additionally, the character Admiral Ouroboros made an appearance in Silver Surfer Vol. 7 #11 (2015), assuming the role of an antagonistic force who confronts the Silver Surfer as he finds himself trapped in a time loop, evoking similarities to the films Groundhog Day or Palm Springs.
It is uncertain whether these concepts will be incorporated into Loki season 2, although the TVA's time-altering technology has already demonstrated its ability to ensnare individuals in time loops. For instance, Loki was repeatedly confronted by Lady Sif as a form of punishment. Intriguingly, the time loop experienced by the Silver Surfer is referred to as a Möbius strip - a connection to Owen Wilson's character Mobius M. Mobius and Tony Stark's use of an inverted Möbius strip to unravel time travel in Avengers: Endgame. This theme of time loops could potentially play a significant role in Loki season 2; however, the inclusion of the term "Ouroboros" hints at a more profound connection to Loki himself.
Ouroboros & Jörmungandr In Norse Mythology & What It Could Mean For Loki
The ouroboros is a symbol of a snake forming a circle, with its tail in its mouth. This iconic image has its origins in Ancient Egyptian and Ancient Greek art, but it also holds significant importance in Norse Mythology, which heavily influences the storylines of Thor and Loki in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. In Norse Mythology, the ouroboros takes the form of Jörmungandr, also known as the Midgard Serpent or World Serpent. Jörmungandr is an incredibly massive serpent that dwells in the world sea, capable of encircling the entire Earth and biting its own tail. According to legend, the release of Jörmungandr's tail will trigger the catastrophic event known as Ragnarök.
The mystery deepens when considering that the Midgard Serpent, a figure from Norse Mythology, is actually one of Loki's own children. Other notable children include Hel, the Goddess of Death, and the wolf Fenrir. In the film Thor: Ragnarok, Cate Blanchett's character Hela is portrayed as Loki's sister in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Thor frequently encounters Jörmungandr in Norse Mythology, engaging in fierce battles and even facing death during Ragnarök. It remains uncertain how much of this mythology will be incorporated in Loki season 2, but it could potentially reveal a deeper connection between Ke Huy Quan's character and the mischievous God himself.
