When you hit a certain level of fame, land a key role in the Marvel universe and are busy booking parts in some of the most highly anticipated movies the industry’s got to offer, it’s easy to start looking at that person as a big name star and losing sight of the humble, passionate and very thankful human being they really are.  Tom Hiddleston’s always been outspoken about his love of the Marvel films and given 100% when it comes to sharing the excitement with fans, but in case you need a reminder, you can find it in Joss Whedon: The Biography.

The book includes a letter Hiddleston wrote to Joss Whedon after reading Whedon’s draft of The Avengers for the very first time.  It’s funny, thoughtful, genuine, and will undoubtedly make you love the guy even more than you probably already do.  Hit the jump to read the letter in full.

Joss Whedon: The Biography doesn’t arrive until August 1st, but Business Insider (via JoBlo) got permission to share Hiddleston’s letter as well as Whedon’s response.  Check them out below.

Joss,

I am so excited I can hardly speak.

The first time I read it I grabbed at it like Charlie Bucket snatching for a golden ticket somewhere behind the chocolate in the wrapper of a Wonka Bar. I didn't know where to start. Like a classic actor I jumped in looking for LOKI on every page, jumping back and forth, reading words in no particular order, utterances imprinting themselves like flash-cuts of newspaper headlines in my mind: "real menace"; "field of obeisance"; "discontented, nothing is enough"; "his smile is nothing but a glimpse of his skull"; "Puny god" ...

... Thank you for writing me my Hans Gruber. But a Hans Gruber with super-magic powers. As played by James Mason ... It's high operatic villainy alongside detached throwaway tongue-in-cheek; plus the "real menace" and his closely guarded suitcase of pain. It's grand and epic and majestic and poetic and lyrical and wicked and rich and badass and might possibly be the most gloriously fun part I've ever stared down the barrel of playing. It is just so juicy.

I love how throughout you continue to put Loki on some kind of pedestal of regal magnificence and then consistently tear him down. He gets battered, punched, blasted, side-swiped, roared at, sent tumbling on his back, and every time he gets back up smiling, wickedly, never for a second losing his eloquence, style, wit, self-aggrandisement or grandeur, and you never send him up or deny him his real intelligence.... That he loves to make an entrance; that he has a taste for the grand gesture, the big speech, the spectacle. I might be biased, but I do feel as though you have written me the coolest part.

... But really I'm just sending you a transatlantic shout-out and fist-bump, things that traditionally British actors probably don't do. It's epic.

Tom, this is one of those emails you keep forever. Thanks so much. It's more articulate (and possibly longer) than the script. I couldn't be more pleased at your reaction, but I'll also tell you I'm still working on it ... Thank you again. I'm so glad you're pleased. Absurd fun to ensue.

Best, (including uncharacteristic fist bump), joss.