Summary

  • Ke Huy Quan's character in Loki season 2, O.B., is named after the ancient symbol Ouroboros, symbolizing the eternal cycle of creation and destruction.
  • Quan's role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was a full circle moment for him, as he had previously worked with Kevin Feige on X-Men and now got to work with him again after 23 years.
  • Quan's enthusiasm for his character and the MCU is infectious, and while there are no announced plans for Loki season 3, fans remain optimistic about O.B.'s potential return.

Loki season 2 actor Ke Huy Quan revealed the ancient wisdom behind the name of his new MCU character and its relevance to his journey. Quan rose to stardom in the '80s with films like Indiana Jones and the Temple of Doom and The Goonies, making his MCU debut in Loki season 2.

Introduced as a new character in Loki season 2's aptly titled episode 1, "Ouroboros," Quan's character, O.B., for short, is a technician overseeing the TVA and maintaining smooth travel operations. O.B. Is initially sought out to help Tom Hiddleston's Loki with his time-slipping problem and eventually becomes imperative to the central mission of Loki and Morbius (Owen Wilson). Quan is no stranger to universe-hopping and was immediately brought on by Marvel after his success with the A24 hit Everything Everywhere All At Once. Given Quan's career resurgence and seemingly endless audience appeal, he was the perfect choice for a character tasked with explaining the complex inner workings of the multiverse.

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But where did the name Ouroboros come from? In an interview with Deadline, Quan detailed his first time meeting Kevin Feige on the set of X-Men, when Feige was an associate producer and Quan was an assistant action choreographer. "Little did I know, only 23 years later I get to work with him," Quan said, explaining how landing the MCU role was his full circle moment. "That’s why I love the name Ouroboros. It’s a snake eating its own tail," he revealed, referencing the ancient Graeco-Egyptian alchemical symbol for the eternal cycle of creation and destruction. The Ouroboros symbol also seemingly relates to the Time Variance Authority's motto and the overarching theme of the Loki series, "For All Time. Always."

loki season 2 loki mobius and OB Cropped

Loki season 2's declining viewership aside, the name Ouroboros for Quan's character is an example of the brilliance of Loki and the creators' dedication to providing entertainment that reaches deeper than surface level. In addition to his connection with the ancient symbol, Quan cited the laugh-out-loud dialogue as a major draw to the role. "[Kevin Wright and Eric Martin] really beautifully created this character, Ouroboros," Quan stated, after recollecting his emotional reaction to the call he received from Feige, who offered him the part. "Who is this guy that’s working in the basement of the TVA for more than 400 years with no friends?" Quan joked of his character, "Yet he still takes his job so seriously and so passionately."

For Quan, a role in the Marvel Cinematic Universe was at the top of his wishlist, and his enthusiasm for the character and the MCU is infectious. Although there are currently no plans for a third season after Loki season 2's ending, fans of Quan and his character remain optimistic about Ouroboros' return, the TVA Handyman.

Loki seasons 1-2 are streaming now on Disney Plus.

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LokiCharacterTag
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Alias
The Trickster
Created By
Stan Lee, Jack Kirby, Larry Lieber
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Loki is the shapeshifting Norse god, traditionally associated with trickery. Loki is also a fictional character used by Marvel Comics, first appearing in Venus #6 (August 1949), his characterization is often credited to Stan Lee, Larry Lieber, and Jack Kirby starting in Journey into Mystery #85 (October 1962). While often portrayed as a supervillain and antihero, the character has come into popularity thanks to his appearance in the Marvel Cinematic Universe portrayed by Tom Hiddleston.

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Franchise
Marvel
Age
Over 1000 years.
Div
Birthday
December 17th
Died
Currently Alive
Height
6' 4''
Race
Frost Giant
Video Games
Marvel SNAP
Movies
Avengers: Infinity War, Marvel's The Avengers, Avengers: Endgame
TV Shows
Loki

MORE: MCU: Loki Can Still Have A Thor Reunion

Source: Deadline