Loki director debunks major villain fan theory from the premiere

Loki Mephisto
(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

You should now the deal by now. Loki, like every Marvel show that’s come before it, is seeing every little detail and morsel picked apart by ravenous MCU fans hoping to unpack whatever Marvel Studios has in store for us.

The first major theory, interestingly, came before the Loki premiere even aired on Disney Plus – though there's a moment in the episode that has continued to cause speculation on social media.

Let’s rewind to the beginning of Loki’s first episode – spoilers ahead: Owen Wilson’s TVA agent, Mobius M. Mobius, is introduced in 16th Century France of all places. There, he’s tasked with tracking down someone who is causing mayhem after a "Nexus Event" (someone who has split off from their set timeline) got loose.

The Renaissance era church, though, could be carrying a clue for some Marvel fans. In Mobius’ interaction with a bubblegum-chewing child, a stained-glass window with the image of a devil-like figure is seen. Take a look for yourself.

Loki Mephisto theory

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Predictably, social media was set abuzz after the premiere, with some believing the window is a reference to Mephisto, Marvel’s answer to the devil that was heavily linked with a WandaVision appearance that never came to pass. "I can’t believe I’m already back to screaming about Mephisto," says one viewer. Another is certain that it’s a "tease to Mephisto."

Is Mephisto in Loki? Marvel has an answer…

Loki Mephisto

(Image credit: Marvel Studios)

Sorry to disappoint – but that’s (officially) not the case. Director Kate Herron confirmed as much in an interview with Entertainment Tonight.

"It's honestly just a super weird coincidence. Like, it's genuinely a reference to Loki – the horns, he was cast out of heaven, that's what it's a reference to," Herron explained. "I did see all the stuff about that online and I was like, 'Oh, this is going to be interesting.' But no, it's more relevant to the themes of our show and it’s not a nod to that character."

So, that’s one Loki theory we can well and truly scratch off our conspiracy boards. Still, there’s plenty more to play with – not least of all another fan theory that suggests Miss Minutes may have helped set the stage for a major Marvel crossover down the line in the MCU. Plus, with all these Variants running around, there’s surely another Loki or two worth questioning before we start pressing the Mephisto button again.

Need another Loki fix? Find out when the next episode is coming with the Loki release schedule. Be sure to get a refresher on Marvel’s future too with our guide to Marvel Phase 4.

TOPICS
Bradley Russell

I'm the Senior Entertainment Writer here at GamesRadar+, focusing on news, features, and interviews with some of the biggest names in film and TV. On-site, you'll find me marveling at Marvel and providing analysis and room temperature takes on the newest films, Star Wars and, of course, anime. Outside of GR, I love getting lost in a good 100-hour JRPG, Warzone, and kicking back on the (virtual) field with Football Manager. My work has also been featured in OPM, FourFourTwo, and Game Revolution.

Read more
Daredevil: Born Again
Marvel fans are convinced Wednesday star is playing a major MCU villain in Daredevil: Born Again
Bullseye in Daredevil: Born Again trailer
Marvel fans have a Daredevil: Born Again theory that might explain the show's timeline jump
Thunderbolts* trailer
The latest Thunderbolts trailer all but confirms a major Marvel fan theory that one character is a goner
Muse
Who is Muse and who is playing him in Daredevil: Born Again?
Wanda Maximoff, the Scarlet Witch
The Russo brothers hid an Avengers Easter egg in Netflix movie The Electric State ahead of their Marvel comeback – and I'm convinced it's teasing Scarlet Witch's return
Spider-Man: No Way Home
Daredevil: Born Again episode 1 references Spider-Man, and Marvel fans are excited about what it might mean for the future
Latest in Superhero Shows
Mark Grayson in Invincible season 3
Voice acting is "complete" on Invincible season 4, which is a major boost to its 2026 release plans
Jack Quaid and Jensen Ackles in The Boys
Soldier Boy-centred The Boys prequel adds two stars in mystery roles for the upcoming superhero show
Mark Grayson in Invincible season 3
Invincible creator reveals fan-favorite villain is already cast ahead of season 4: "He's amazing"
Mark Grayson in Invincible season 3
Invincible season 3 video shows just how well the Conquest fight was adapted from the comics
Supernatural
Jared Padalecki opens up on the "effing terrifying" experience of joining The Boys season 5 – and the possibility of a Supernatural reunion with Jensen Ackles
Powerplex in Invincible
Breaking Bad star Aaron Paul has perfect response to being cast as Invincible's Powerplex: "Just another role being traumatized"
Latest in News
Adam Scott as Mark S and Britt Lower as Helly R in Severance season 2
There might have been another reason for Mark's decision in the Severance season 2 finale
Silent Hill f art showing a person covered in plants
Silent Hill f has been pre-emptively banned in Australia, with no reason given for the 'refused classification' rating
Assassin's Creed Shadows review gameplay showing Yasuke overlooking the sea and lush green scenery
Assassin's Creed Shadows has already "surpassed the launches of AC Origins and Odyssey" with 2 million players and counting
Helldivers 2 screenshot showing someone using a big gun
Helldivers 2 boss says "death and rebirth" is a natural part of the games industry, but it's "unnecessarily brutal" right now "because we don't diversify enough"
A Dragon Age character stares out against a blue background.
BioWare makes a return to Dragon Age: The Veilguard with a surprise PC update, months after layoffs and a seemingly final patch
God of War 3
God of War PSP's seamless loading was only possible because a Jak & Daxter game was also running in the background