WARNING: The following contains spoilers for Loki Episode 2, streaming now on Disney+.
Loki's mysterious variant may not be what they appear.
The show's second episode, "The Variant," ends by seemingly revealing the variant targeting the Time Variance Authority's Minutemen is Lady Loki, a reincarnated, female version of the God of Mischief played by Sophia Di Martino. However, fans on Twitter noted the character is referred to as "Sylvie" in the episode's international credits, suggesting she might actually be Sylvie Lushton/Enchantress.
Created by Mark Brooks and Paul Cornell, Sylvie/Enchantress first appeared in 2009's Dark Reign: Young Avengers #1. After mysteriously awakening with magical powers one day, Sylvie become one of the Young Masters, a team of darker super-powered individuals who referred to themselves as the "Young Avengers" before being confronted by the actual Young Avengers. Sylvie eventually discovered Loki was not only responsible for granting her powers, he may've even created her. She also has blonde hair like Di Martino's character, which may be a clue to her true identity. Moreover, in March 2020, IMDb Pro listed Cailey Fleming as playing young Sylvie on the Loki series.
Should this pan out, it means Sylvie is one of several characters connected to the Young Avengers making their MCU debut in Phase 4. Hailee Steinfeld's Kate Bishop will similarly join the franchise when the Hawkeye series arrives in the second half of 2021. Around the same time, Iman Vellani will star as Kamala Khan in the Ms. Marvel TV show, prior to the superhero teaming up with Carol Danvers/Captain Marvel and Monica Rambeau/Photon in the Captain Marvel movie sequel The Marvels.
At the same time, this wouldn't rule out the possibility of Lady Loki appearing in the series. Loki's creatives confirmed the MCU's God of Mischief is gender-fluid, with director Kate Herron stating, "I would say that details are marked in but it is something acknowledged." If so, the show may yet feature a version of Loki who's been reincarnated as a woman, be it the character Di Martino is playing or another cast member who has yet to make an appearance.
Loki stars Tom Hiddleston as Loki, Owen Wilson as Mobius M. Mobius, Gugu Mbatha-Raw as Ravonna Lexus Renslayer, Wunmi Mosaku as Hunter B-15 and Sophia Di Martino, Richard E. Grant, Sasha Lane and Eugene Cordero in undisclosed roles. The series premieres June 9 on Disney+.
Source: Twitter