Tom Hiddleston 'used Owen Wilson to land role'

Tom Hiddleston used his impression of Owen Wilson to land the role of Hank Williams in a new biopic.

The British actor was given the part of legendary country singer Williams in I Saw The Light after doing an uncanny impersonation of fellow actor and friend Wilson during a dinner with director Marc Abraham.

"I saw him in War Horse, and thought he looked a lot like Hank Williams," said Abraham to People magazine. "And my casting director said, 'You've got to make sure he can do the accent,' and over a three-hour dinner (Hiddleston) showed me his imitation of Owen Wilson."

The actor played iconic author F. Scott Fitzgerald opposite Wilson in Woody Allen's Midnight in Paris, and the pair became firm friends. Hiddleston said of his impression, "I'd done it in the past. The first time it happened, I was just telling a story about the Midnight in Paris shoot. It's something I've always done when I tell stories. I naturally do all the voices."

The Brit was chosen to play Williams opposite Elizabeth Olsen in the new movie about the short life of the tragic country singer-songwriter. Williams died in 1953 at the age of 29 after suffering from heart failure in the back seat of his Cadillac on his way to a New Year's Day concert in Canton, Ohio.

Hiddleston has a knack for impressions, and admitted that he can even do one of his Thor on-screen brother and off-screen best friend, Chris Hemsworth.

The actor played villain Loki in the Marvel superhero films, opposite Hemsworth's Thor, and confessed that he does a funny impersonation.

"I've done it in front of him. He thinks it's hilarious," said Hiddleston. "Chris is one of my best friends. Making the first Thor film was just a novel experience for both of us, we became firm friends and remain so."

The friends meet up whenever they can, and even hung out while Hiddleston filmed new King Kong movie Skull Island while Down Under. "I've never surfed with him, but I met up with him in Australia when we were shooting Skull Island. He lives a couple of hours away and I stayed with him on the weekend at the new house (in Byron Bay). It was lovely to see him again. He's got a great spot."