Tom Hiddleston seemingly gave another interview to promote I Saw the Light in the UK. I say “seemingly” because some of these quotes seem like repeats, but the Daily Mail insists that they were actually sitting down for tea with Tom in Beverly Hills and they even describe what he looked like during their interview. Which might mean that Tom just sticks to a handful of similar-sounding quotes. This interview also seemed to happen somewhat recently (like, in the past month), because the UK papers are still abuzz with the rumor that Tom actually did have a sit-down meeting with Bond producers like Barbara Broccoli. He says the same stuff about Bond that he’s been saying – he hasn’t been approached, so stop wondering. You can read the full piece here. Some highlights:

The role that changed everything: “I was in a production of Othello and Ken Branagh, being the Shakespearean he is, came to see it. He said he’d like to work with me, so we did a radio play, and then a Chekhov play in the West End, and then he cast me to play his number two in the TV series Wallander. When I first came to Los Angeles, I was auditioning for everything, big movies, small movies, superhero movies. Ken cast me as Loki in Thor. Bizarrely enough, Joss Whedon, who had also seen that Othello production, had loved it so much that he wrote me a very good part for Loki in The Avengers. Then I got a letter from Woody Allen saying, “We’re making Midnight In Paris in the summer — I’d love you to play F. Scott Fitzgerald.” To which the answer was a very quick, “Yes!” And then Steven Spielberg cast me in War Horse. So it was a very strange time when all these incredible moments of good fortune were happening. But it all started with Shakespeare, because I couldn’t even get arrested before then.”

Going to Eton with Prince William: “I think Prince William is rather busy these days and has more important things to do than hang out with me! But I see him sometimes at film premieres, which is nice. There is something particular about the friendships you make at boarding school, because you are away from home at a very early age, so the bonds you form there are strong. The friends I made at school are some of the closest I have, and when I see them we just pick up where we left off the last time.”

Surrounded by familiarity: “I’m glad all of this happened to me at the age of 30, rather than when I was ten years younger. There can be a moment in an actor’s life where you become more well-known, and initially that takes a bit of getting used to. I’ve been reassured by being surrounded by familiarity. I come from a very good family, and I’m very close with both of my sisters and with my parents.”

What he’s learned from his sisters & mother: “My mother and sisters are all strong and independent thinkers and have all taught me a lot. What have I learnt? Oh, gosh . . . Well, first of all, I learnt always to compliment them on their haircut! It’s difficult to unpick what they’ve taught me because it’s so much part of who I am. But I did notice when I was about 16 that my friends who had grown up exclusively around men just didn’t understand women.”

His love life: “I understand the curiosity. I hope that when there’s really something to write about, I’ll be able to talk.”

Whether he’s in a rush to settle down after seeing his friends Cumberbatch & Redmayne: “Yes, I’m going to rush out and find the nearest woman and put a ring on her! Look, I think it’s great for both of those two, they’re both good friends of mine and I’m so happy for them. But it’s not something that’s come into my life yet. I’m not closed to it by any means — in fact, I’m definitely open to the possibility. But you know what they say: you can’t go out and look for it, you just have to wait for it to come to you.”

[From The Daily Mail]

I’m consistently amused at the fact that Tom has an almost girlish idea of love, that one has to “wait” for The One, that love comes to you when you’re ready, that you can’t be “closed off” to the possibility of love. That’s what ladies are taught! If and when Hiddleston does settle down, it will probably be as big of a kerfuffle as Benedict Cumberbatch’s marriage to Sophie Hunter, just because that’s the nature of their fanbases. Also: Tom really needs to stop using that “I notice a new haircut” line because it sounds so douchey. I get what he’s saying about having a better understanding of women because of his sisters though. But “getting” women is more than just noticing a new haircut.

PS… Over the weekend, Tom was seen with a “mystery lady” – you can see the photos here. The vibe I’m getting is more “personal assistant” than girlfriend though.

Photos courtesy of WENN, Fame/Flynet.