For 25 generations the Ruling Stewards of Gondor sat atop the white city of Minas Tirith. However, they never claimed its throne. For while they lorded over the kingdom it had no monarch after Eärnur disappeared forever behind the gates of Minas Morgul. That was until Elessar Telcontar, known to some as Strider and others as Aragorn, claimed his birthright after helping to defeat Sauron once and for all. And if you already know all that Middle-earth history you’re definitely going to want to know about PureArts’ newest collectible. You can now honor The Return of the King with a full-sized The Lord of the Rings replica Crown of Gondor.

And is if that wasn’t good enough, it comes with one of the best stands an heir of Isildur could ever hope for.

You can now honor King Elessar and all the rulers of Gondor with a 1:1 scale crown based on the one worn by Viggo Mortensen in Peter Jackson’s Best Picture-winner. The latest collaboration between PureArts and Warner Bros. Discover Global Consumer Products is a faithful recreation of the silver and gold winged crown.

Don’t plan on putting this on a shelf. Nor will it rest on the head of someone with no royal claim. This crown sits atop a highly detailed, LED-lit replica of Minas Tirith. It’s an amazing item unto itself. All it’s missing is Gandalf and Pippin worrying about what awaits them tomorrow.

This gorgeous movie collectible is made of metal for the crown and polyresin for the base. It also comes with an embroidered replica of the Gondor Banner.

If you want your own Crown of Gondor you probably don’t want to wait to order yours. This is a very limited-edition item. Only 150 are available for purchase. And at a price of $749.99 we don’t expect them to last long. Forget 25 generations, it might not last 25 hours.

The post RETURN OF THE KING Replica Crown of Gondor Comes With Incredible Minas Tirith Base appeared first on Nerdist.

Decades before Peter Jackson’s live-action The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Ralph Bakshi rendered the epic in striking animation. (Rotoscope is cool, eh?) Now, a new project from New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. returns J.R.R. Tolkien’s sprawling story to animated form. And this time, they’re going the way of anime. This trip into Middle-earth will be The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, fostered by filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama. And now, the first voice cast for The Lord of the Rings anime has been revealed, alongside more story details, a look at the concept art for the film, and the movie’s release date. It has even been announced that the story will be narrated by Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Synopsis and Stars

Miranda Otto reprises her role as Éowyn in The War of the Rohirrim. She serves as the movie’s narrator as she tells the tale of Rohan’s history. Alongside Otto, Brian Cox, Gaia Wise, and Luke Pasqualino have been cast as the leads in the Lord of the Rings anime. Cox will voice the protagonist Helm Hammerhand. Wise will voice his daughter Hera. And Pasqualino will voice Wulf, the presumed antagonist.

A press release describes the new film as an exploration of “the untold story behind the fortress of Helm’s Deep.” The material adds that this feature will “delv[e] into the life and bloodsoaked times of one of Middle-earth’s most legendary figures; the mighty King of Rohan – Helm Hammerhand.” And Deadline further shares that this Lord of the Rings anime will take place 183 before the events revealed in The Lord of the Rings movies.

Deadline‘s article also reveals more of The War of the Rohirrim‘s plot. It notes that “A sudden attack by Wulf, a clever and ruthless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for the death of his father, forces Helm and his people to make a daring last stand in the ancient stronghold of the Hornburg – a mighty fortress that will later come to be known as Helm’s Deep. Finding herself in an increasingly desperate situation, Hera, the daughter of Helm, must summon the will to lead the resistance against a deadly enemy intent on their total destruction.”

Concept Art From The Lord of the Rings Anime Movie

The below concept art by Weta Workshop certainly hints at those bloodsoaked times. That Oliphaunt doesn’t look like it’s there for a good cuddle.

Helm, the ninth king of Rohan, was famously defeated—but not killed—at the Crossings of Isen. However, he would survive for just another year, following a lengthy siege alongside his brother. Despite his defeat, Helm maintained a ferocious reputation; he was even thought to live on in some form following official decree of his death.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Director and Other Cast

The War of Rohirrim‘s director, Kamiyama, has been imbuing the anime world with color and story since the 1980s. Among his most noteworthy credits, we find several Ghost in the Shell series, as well as the 2019 Ultraman show.

Additional cast for the movie include Lorraine Ashbourne, Yazdan Qafouri, Benjamin Wainwright, Laurence Ubong Williams, Shaun Dooley, Michael Wildman, Jude Akuwudike, Bilal Hasna, and Janine Duvitski.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Release Date

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will debut in theaters on December 13, 2024. At present, Warner Bros. touts Rohirrim as a stand-alone story; as such, we shouldn’t necessarily expect a trilogy born of this project. But given that The Hobbit was originally only supposed to be one film, we might not wish to count anything out, either.

Originally published June 10, 2021 with reporting from M. Arbeiter.

The post THE LORD OF THE RINGS Anime Movie Reveals Éowyn’s Return and Release Date appeared first on Nerdist.

Lizzo already delighted us with a surprise cameo on one epic nerdy property, Star Wars‘ The Mandalorian. But could we see her in one of the elven realms of Middle-earth next? Someone alert The Rings of Power‘s team that it’s time to get Lizzo onto the show. While that’s all just wishful thinking, Lizzo did transform into her elven alter-ego Lizzolas and shared an epic The Lord of the Rings musical performance via her Instagram. The celebrated singer, rapper, and musician even got out her elf ears for the occasion. We absolutely love it. Take a look below and experience Lizzo’s rendition of Howard Shore’s “Concerning Hobbits” from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Rings‘ soundtrack.

I’ve said it once, and I’ll say it again, no matter what form it takes, “Concerning Hobbits” always touches the heart. Recorders are instruments more typically associated with young children huffing out off-pitch noises. But in Lizzo’s hands the recorder becomes a fine tool to create The Lord of the Rings magic. We feel like Hobbits would like the recorder more than elves, so we have to assume Lizzolas is humoring her Hobbiton friends. But that’s the kind of friendship we like to see among the many denizens of Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power continues the tradition of elven song that is featured in the movies and J.R.R. Tolkien’s works. And this precedent means there would be plenty of room for Lizzo to appear, with or without her recorder. Perhaps Lizzolas could even have a duet with Princess Disa, whose powerful voice struck a transcendent chord in season one of The Lord of the Rings series. The elves and dwarves will need one another in season two… At least if Durin and Elrond have anything to say about it.

In the meanwhile, we’ll stay eagerly tuned for more nerdy stylings from Lizzo. We always love a star who isn’t afraid to embrace what they love.

The post Lizzo-las Gives Epic LORD OF THE RINGS Theme Performance on Recorder appeared first on Nerdist.

Recently, The Lord of the Rings arrived in the world of Magic: The Gathering. The Magic card collection, titled Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth, brought to life many epic moments and characters from The Lord of the Rings. But Magic also took the set one step further. The company created a special version of “The One Ring” card that was serialized as one of one. Yes, there was only one card made of this Ring of Power, and it was hidden throughout all The Lord of the Rings Magic cards released. Of course, this started a frenzied search to find the One Ring that was not dissimilar to the one we saw in The Lord of the Rings movies—my precious, etc. But now Magic‘s One Ring has officially been discovered. Does that many evil wins? We guess only if the card isn’t destroyed.

We’ll have to see what comes next. Rare cards can often sell for quite a bit of money, and this one is as rare as they come. We also don’t yet know who found this special One Ring Magic card. But we hope they’re a Hobbit, ready to travel to the depths of the fiery Mount Doom. Or, we hope they’re having a good day, anyway.

As is the case with Rings of Power, we’re sure we’ll hear more about the fate of this ring/Lord of the Rings Magic card very soon. Or maybe Sauron will take over, and we’ll know for sure what has gone down.

The post The One Ring of (MAGIC Card) Power Has Been Found appeared first on Nerdist.

Realms of fantasy collide sometimes, and the meeting of The Lord of the Rings and Magic: The Gathering makes for quite the mash-up. As part of Magic‘s Universes Beyond Our Own line, which brings in characters and settings from outside Magic‘s Multiverse, Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth puts a J.R.R. Tolkien-inspired coat of paint on the beloved trading card game. Nerdist joined Wizards of the Coast and other outlets for a virtual preview of Tales of Middle-earth with senior art director Ovidio Cartagena. He took us through the gorgeous set of The Lord of the Rings Magic cards, sharing insight into the design and gameplay. We’ll take a closer look at some Lands, a special Legendary Creature, and Starter Kit cards.

Magic: The Gathering‘s The Lord of the Rings Land Cards

First, let’s look at the basic lands. In Magic: The Gathering, lands represent locations under the player’s control.

Click To View Gallery

You’ll notice all of Magic‘s land cards feature characters in this The Lord of the Rings collection—well, the silhouettes of them. Cartagena explained it’s to represent the different paths the characters in The Lord of the Rings have to traverse. Here, the land serves Magic‘s gameplay, but it also represents the journey at the heart of Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. The cards are meant to show the epic nature of Frodo’s quest to destroy the ring.

Character and Creature Cards in Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth

The design team wanted to incorporate familiar characters and creatures into Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth. Beyond the names and creatures you’d expect, this extends to creatures such as Bill the Pony. The loyal and brave steed is a Legendary Creature, so you could have Bill the Pony as a Commander if you so choose. Cartagena made sure to point out the pans that are part of Bill the Pony’s pack; it’s a nod to Samwise’s cooking and one of the many Easter eggs in the set.

With Tales of Middle-earth, players can join the fellowship and fight on the forces of good, or they can serve the Dark Lord Sauron and spread shadow across Middle-earth. The Magic cards featuring The Lord of the Rings characters we know so well have different spins on them, though. Sauron is one of the cards in the Starter Kit, and though someone asked Cartagena how he was going to illustrate Sauron’s eye, he said he understands the eye as more of a metaphoric thing. So, his team designed a unique look for Sauron. And with Frodo, they wanted a more heroic look, something that reflects the many years that pass between him inheriting the ring and embarking on the journey to destroy it.

The Starter Kit has two pre-constructed 60-card decks. Get a preview of some of those cards, including Sauron and Frodo, below.

Click To View Gallery

Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Release Date and Magic Card Offerings

Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth has two launch windows in 2023, June and November. The June 2023 release (prerelease June 16-22, available everywhere on June 23) includes a starter kit, jumpstart boosters, regular boosters, a prerelease pack, a bundle to get your journey going, and more. And on June 26, a special Secret Lair release will feature a drop based on Ralph Bakshi’s 1978 The Lord of the Rings animated film.

We’re not the only ones who got to preview these The Lord of the Rings Magic cards, though. Frodo Baggins himself, Elijah Wood, took a look at the deck. And his expressions say it all.

But they aren’t the only people we met with. We traveled to Middle-earth, to talk to one very special fan… #MTGxLOTR pic.twitter.com/reUw7PfGWY

— Magic: The Gathering (@wizards_magic) May 30, 2023

Finally, no, they didn’t forget about the importance of food in this story.

Click To View Gallery

The post Flip Through These Gorgeous THE LORD OF THE RINGS MAGIC Cards appeared first on Nerdist.

If you’re like me, the sheer scale and majesty of the Gates of Argonath from The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring movie always steal your breath. More than any other moment, this one makes me feel as though I’m immersed in a real world. A sense of rich history steeps into the land itself. And now, NZ Post has captured the majesty of that scene, and a few others, and miniaturized their wonder. You couldn’t carry around the Gates of Argonath to show your love for The Lord of the Rings. However, you can don this enamel pin and highlight the beauty and intricacy of the movies in a whole new way. Let’s take a look at these precious pins.

The three new pins from NZ Post come in celebration of The Lord of the Ring: The Return of the King‘s 20th anniversary. The New Zealand-based organization has already treated us to a myriad of The Lord of the Rings fancies worthy of the best dwarven hoard, including stamps that are more like tiny artworks, gorgeous collectible coins, and past pins that us pledge our allegiance to Sauron, if that tickles our fancy. Along with Argonath, these latest The Lord of the Rings pins reveal other moments of hope and wonder from the franchise.

The “Gwaihir Go” pin “[features] an homage to the moment in The Fellowship of the Ring when Gandalf sent a moth as a messenger to the eagle Gwaihir, asking for rescue.” We know, of course, that Gandalf is rescued. The little moth actually symbolizes one of The Lord of the Rings‘ prominent themes. There is always hope in the darkest of times. We love seeing him take flight.

Meanwhile, the Treebird pin gives one of our favorite characters his due. Treebird rises as an unlikely ally right as Merry and Pippin believe that all hope is lost. The Ents are a delightful Middle-earth race, and they make for a lovely pin too.

I have to say, the color work on these pins is marvelous. Each one is incredibly different but evocative in its own right. We can feel the magic of The Lord of the Rings seeping out of these enamel pins. NZ Post’s The Lord of the Rings collectables continue to be on point. And it’s no wonder, with New Zealand as the very inspiration for the look of the movies. Recently, I learned that New Zealand was an early adopter of pictorial stamps, bringing to life stamps that were beautiful as well as practical. And that legacy continues with the country’s The Lord of the Rings celebrations. We can’t wait to see what homages NZ Post will release next.

The post THE LORD OF THE RINGS Enamel Pins From NZ Post Reveal the Beauty of the Movies appeared first on Nerdist.

Andy Serkis has had one foot in Middle-earth since The Fellowship of the Ring premiered in 2001. His initial connection to J.R.R. Tolkien’s work was as Gollum in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Ring movies. But in 2020, Serkis went back to Middle-earth in a different way. He read The Hobbit aloud nonstop to raise funds for COVID-19 relief efforts. Then Serkis recorded The Hobbit audiobook and in 2021, he recorded The Lord of the Rings audiobook trilogy. But he isn’t done. Andy Serkis also narrated The Silmarillion for a new, unabridged audiobook (via The Bookseller).

If you’ve read The Silmarillion, you know it’s a beast of a book—a beautiful one, but a beast nonetheless. Published in 1977, the book goes into the history of Middle-earth before the One Ring. It starts with a creation myth and moves through the ages in poetic, dense prose. And if the names in The Lord of the Rings are complex, the ones in The Silmarillion are on another level.

Serkis said the following in a statement about this new audiobook version of The Silmarillion:

The Silmarillion was always going to be a hard mountain to climb, and therefore perhaps the most rewarding. I was seriously daunted. Whereas the narrative structure and characters of both The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings provide the narrator with an immense propulsion, The Silmarillion is like reading an extraordinary, ancient bible, with its own creation mythology spanning many ages, written over many years. But once in the flow of Tolkien’s poetic imagination, and limitless authority of his universe, there were passages that I found myself completely mesmerised by as I was reading, and it became a thrillingly wild and magical experience. I can only hope the listener feels the same way.

If you’d like to get a taste of Serkis narrating Tolkien’s words, watch the below video. It’s Bilbo Baggins’ birthday party speech from The Fellowship of the Ring.

The Serkis-narrated unabridged The Silmarillion audiobook will arrive on June 22, 2023. You can place a pre-order now.

The post Andy Serkis-Narrated THE SILMARILLION Is Coming This Summer appeared first on Nerdist.

Rings of Power stars Sophia Nomvete (Princess Disa), Owain Arthur (Prince Durin IV) and Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) sit down with Nerdist’s Rotem Rusak to discuss Disa and Durin’s found family with Elrond, Galadriel’s balance as hero and villain, and why dwarves are the best part of Middle-Earth on today’s episode of Nerdist Now!

More Rings of Power News: https://nerdist.com/topic/tolkien/
Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Follow Us: Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: Prime Video, io9

#NerdistNews #LOTR #TheRingsOfPower #LordoftheRings #Tolkien #PrimeVideo

The post Rings of Power Cast: Can Elves and Dwarves Get Along? appeared first on Nerdist.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power composer Bear McCreary sits down with Nerdist’s Rotem Rusak to talk about his creative process in composing the series epic soundtrack.

More Rings of Power News: https://nerdist.com/topic/tolkien/
Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: Prime Video

#NerdistNews #LOTR #TheRingsOfPower #LordoftheRings #Tolkien #PrimeVideo

The post Rings of Power Composer Bear McCreary Discusses the Music of Middle-Earth appeared first on Nerdist.

Back in 2019 Amazon announced it was making a Lord of the Rings MMO game, and then in 2021, the company canceled it. Now, however, the game is once again afoot. Amazon revealed an agreement with Middle-earth Enterprises to develop and publish a new The Lord of the Rings MMO. The game will be based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s literary works. This means the game will pull its stories from The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. That’s kind of the opposite of what Amazon has rights to for its TV series, The Rings of Power. Embracer Group will collaborate with Amazon Games on the project.

Amazon Games Orange County studio director Rich Lawrence said in a release:

It’s going to be a game that represents the values and enjoyment that people get out of these book. This will be a game that’s bespoke to the property, that’s appropriate for The Lord of the Rings.

Developers aren’t starting completely from scratch. The Amazon team will leverage the MMORPG framework they built for New World for the Lord of the Rings MMO. That said, the game and all the details are very much about The Lord of the Rings. Rich emphasized the people working on the team are fans of Middle-earth, as much as anyone who will play.

The only other thing we know about the Lord of the Rings MMO is that the teams are developing it for PC and consoles. More to come as we find out about it.

Featured Image: New Line Cinema

The post Amazon Is Making a LORD OF THE RINGS MMO… Again appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power season one swept onto our screens in the summer of 2022, and it made quite an impact. In fact, at Nerdist, we felt it was one of the best shows of the year. And although we are still thinking about season one of the show, things are already ramping up on season two of The Rings of Power. The Rings of Power didn’t exactly leave us on a cliffhanger, but we are still on the edge of our seats, ready to dive back into its world. Here’s everything we know so far about the next season of The Rings of Power.

The Rings of Power Season Two’s Plot

The Rings of Power concluded season one on a few very dramatic notes, setting the stage for season two. Of course, Halbrand revealed himself to be none other than Sauron in disguise. When we last saw the dark lord, he was simply walking into Mordor, no doubt on the way to mete out some vengeance on his wayward followers. Meanwhile, Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrimbor proceeded to form the elven Rings of Power despite knowing the idea came from a source of evil. And we feel it’s likely the Dwarves might know about the rings sooner rather then later.

Behind the Scenes

Showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay return to helm season two of The Rings of Power. Also returning is director Charlotte Brändström. Sanaa Hamri and Louise Hooper will also join as directors on season two of The Rings of Power. They will each direct two episodes.

The Rings of Power Season Two’s Cast

The entire main cast of The Rings of Power which includes Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charlie Vickers, Robert Aramayo, and more, is expected to return for season two, with the exception of one major character.

Joseph Mawle will not return as the tragic but trecherous orc father, Adar, instead, the role has been recast. Sam Hazeldine will take on the role of Adar in the second season of The Rings of Power season two.

Joining Hazeldine are fourteen new actors. No new roles or characters have yet been revealed. The new cast of The Rings of Power season two includes: Gabriel Akuwudike, Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle, Nicholas Woodeson, Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, Gavi Singh Chera, William Chubb, Kevin Eldon, Will Keen, Selina Lo, and Calam Lynch.

The Rings of Power Season Two’s Release Date

The Rings of Power season two does not currently have a release date.

The post Everything We Know About THE RINGS OF POWER Season 2 appeared first on Nerdist.

It is a busy time for The Lord of the Rings fans. First, we have The Rings of Power season two in the wings. Next, new The Lord of the Rings movies are on the way, and we’re all busily thinking about what they could be about. And now, we have to clear our schedules for April 13-20. Because The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King is heading back to theaters.

Cinemark and Regal theaters have put out listings for this exciting return. You can also get tickets via Fathom Events. Originally the Return of the King theater screenings were slated only for April 13. But now, thanks to popular demand, The Lord of the Rings: Return of the King will screen in movie theaters from April 13 until April 20. That gives fans a full week to try and catch Return of the King on the big screen. It’s worth noting that not all dates will be available everywhere.

Those dates aren’t exactly twenty years from the movie’s release date. Return of the King originally released in theaters on December 17, 2003. But we can understand why the celebratory re-release was moved away from the holidays. Return of the King has the feel of a springtime movie anyway.

Excitingly, the runtime listed for Return of the King at the movies is 260 minutes. Yes, that’s four hours plus. And, as Regal’s listing confirms, that means the extended edition of The Return of the King will be the one that screens in the theaters. That’s nearly an hour more of The Lord of the Rings goodness to anticipate. It’s what the Fellowship would want for us.

For Cinemark and Fathom screenings, this theatrical Return of the King release also promises some bonus The Lord of the Rings content. In addition to the movie itself, fans will see “an introduction from Elijah Wood (Frodo) discussing the impact of the LOTR trilogy and why fans return again and again to immerse themselves in this story world. With recent footage captured at LA Comic Con of the World Premiere of the brand new LOTR Roleplaying tabletop game, Elijah takes audiences through this limited fan event with a celebrity cast to raise support for Extra Life for Kids, a program of Children’s Miracle Network Hospitals.” That sounds like a great reason to head to the theater.

Tickets for The Return of the King 20th anniversary celebration are now available to purchase across theaters. There will be a day when The Lord of the Rings news stops hitting, but it is not this day.

Originally published on March 2, 2023.

The post LOTR: RETURN OF THE KING Returning to Theaters for 20th Anniversary appeared first on Nerdist.

In addition to being a talented wordsmith, Tolkien also created many incredible works of art for his writings. Over the years, we’ve seen more of these pieces released in many ways. And that includes in new editions of The Lord of the Rings books. And now, it’s The Hobbit‘s turn. Releasing this fall is a brand-new version of this Tolkien text. And this edition of The Hobbit comes complete with “over 50 sketches, drawings, paintings and maps by J.R.R. Tolkien, himself.” Not to mention, the complete text comes printed in two colors. Here’s what we know about this new The Hobbit illustrated edition.

The description for this new edition of The Hobbit shares more about what we can expect from the tome:

Tolkien’s own selection of finished paintings and drawings have become inseparable from his text, adorning editions of The Hobbit for more than 85 years. But the published art has afforded only a glimpse of Tolkien’s creative process, and many additional sketches, colored drawings and maps – although exhibited and published elsewhere – have never appeared within the pages of The Hobbit.

In this unique enhanced edition of Tolkien’s enchanting classic tale, the full panoply of his art is reproduced for the first time, presenting more than 50 illustrations to accompany Bilbo Baggins on his adventure ‘there and back again.’

A release further shares:

The tale of the little hobbit on a big adventure was first read by the professor to his children as part of their winter “reads,” using his “home manuscript” of the story. Imagine hearing the tale told to you by its author, spun from golden yarn as he wove the adventure for you thread by thread? Christopher Tolkien recalls that special time in his foreword included in this new illustrated edition of The Hobbit, and leading Tolkien scholars Wayne G. Hammond & Christina Scull add that, in this “home manuscript”, Tolkien would have been free to illustrate his story using any medium he wanted to: colored pencil, chalk, crayon, ink and washes, a far cry from the restrictions imposed by the publisher on the illustrations printed in the published book.

‘Now, in this new edition, readers will at last be able to enjoy the full panoply of J.R.R. Tolkien’s paintings, drawings, maps and designs that richly capture the enchanted world of Bilbo Baggins.’

We’ve likely seen some of this Tolkien artwork before. But there’s nothing like seeing illustrations in-situ with the text they imagine. Although both pieces delight fans separately, they work best together. The illustrated version of The Lord of the Rings has indeed become immensely popular. And we’re sure the same will absolutely prove true with this enhanced edition of The Hobbit once it publishes. The new edition of The Hobbit releases on September 19, 2023. You can pre-order it now.

Originally published March 22, 2023.

The post THE HOBBIT Illustrated Edition Incorporates Tolkien Artwork for the First Time appeared first on Nerdist.

The Lord of the Rings franchise is known for its incredible cinematography. When one thinks of the movies, beautiful elven cities, and cozy hobbit villages come to mind. Even the haunted dwarven mountains hold a dark beauty and mystique. So it really makes a lot of sense that when it came time to further expand the universe… It was… Gollum’s turn to shine? Truly, we’re scratching our heads. But there’s no denying the loathsome creature has a strange charisma. With his big bulbous eyes. And his obsession with his precious. Who among us, really, has not felt like Gollum before? Well, now we can really embody him in a brand new Lord of the Rings video game from Daedalic Entertainment; The Lord of the Rings: Gollum. And finally, we know when the game will release. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will come to consoles on May 25.

Here’s a look at Gollum’s game.

The tagline of this Gollum game reads, “An Untold Story.” And while that may be true, we can’t be certain it really needs telling. But we’ll try to keep an open mind.

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum‘s official description reads:

The Lord of the Rings: Gollum is a story-driven action-adventure. Take on a perilous journey as Gollum, chasing the only thing that is precious to him. Gollum is skillful and cunning, but also torn by his split personality. One mind, two egos – you decide!

Two egos feels like a lot of egos. But, we do love the chance to explore more of The Lord of the Rings world. And, in the story trailer above, we do find ourselves cheering for Gollum. And hoping for the best, even though we know his tragic story. We certainly can’t help but feel for him as he looks up into the sky. A recent gameplay trailer reveals more about the Gollum game.

We have to say that, if we had our druthers, we would get a game about the elves. Isn’t it really high time for the elves to shine? But at least it sounds like The Lord of the Rings: Gollum will give us a little elven content. Players get to experience Gollum’s full story, including “his stay with the Elves of Mirkwood.”

Well, okay, you hooked us. The Lord of the Rings: Gollum game releases on PC, PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and Nintendo Switch. in 2023.

Originally published on December 13, 2021.

The post The New LOTR: Gollum Game Trailer Showcases an Unlikely Hero appeared first on Nerdist.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has revealed new cast members for its upcoming season and one surprising recast. Although The Lord of the Rings show did not say which characters these new The Rings of Power actors would play, surely, fans will feel excited to speculate.

The most recently announced The Rings of Power season two cast members include Ciarán Hinds, Rory Kinnear, and Tanya Moodie. These three join The Lord of the Rings show in recurring roles.

The Rings of Power also previously revealed that Oliver Alvin-Wilson, Stuart Bowman, Gavi Singh Chera, William Chubb, Kevin Eldon, Will Keen, Selina Lo, and Calam Lynch would join the cast.

In addition, new cast members on The Rings of Power season two include Gabriel Akuwudike, Yasen ‘Zates’ Atour, Ben Daniels, Amelia Kenworthy, Nia Towle, and Nicholas Woodeson. You can take a look at their headshots below.

Of course, the one piece of information we did gain from all these announcements is a disappointing one. The Father of Orcs, Adar, has been recast. Joseph Mawle, it appears, will leave the show after season one, and, instead, Sam Hazeldine will take over. Although the character of Adar lives on in The Rings of Power, I will take this moment to say goodbye to my personal favorite part of season one. We can only hope Hazeldine understands the deep trauma and fragility of the character, despite his seeming evil position, as Mawle did.

We loved the characters in season one of The Rings of Power. And we very much look forward to meeting new characters in season two. Perhaps among this cast is the teased character of the ancient elf Círdan. What we do feel happy to see is the diversity of actors among those announced here. The Rings of Power did a great job of creating a representative world in its first season, and we hope that will only grow in season two. Hopefully, we may even get a queer character or two in the mix.

We can’t wait to hear who these new characters actually are, but in true The Rings of Power style, we feel certain we’ll get the answers in hints and teases. Fingers crossed, the series won’t make us wait too long.

Featured Image: Prime Video

Originally published December 1, 2022.

The post THE RINGS OF POWER Announces New Season 2 Cast and One Recast Character appeared first on Nerdist.

Original reporting by Melissa Miller.

Middle-earth seems to be all around us these days. We’re still waiting on fresh news from The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power‘s season two, but other Tolkien adventures are giving us plenty of things to feel excited about. Recently, Wizards of the Coast announced the newest Magic: The Gathering collection’s Tolkien tie-in. The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle Earth collection comes out on June 23, 2023. The artwork for the first revealed cards is a stunning addition to the already rich tapestry of Middle-earth, and we can’t wait to see even more. Not to mention, Magic has created a very special surprise regarding its “Rings” cards. Here’s what we know about this The Lord of the Rings collaboration with Magic cards.

Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Reveals First Magic Cards

Recently, we got a good look at the first revealed cards from The Lord of the Rings‘ collaboration with Magic. Magic: The Gathering revealed many of Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth‘s offerings. From Frodo to Sam to Tom Bombadil to Arwen, the Shire, and more, here is some of what you can look forward to:

Click To View Gallery

Of course, Magic will create some special cards to serve as Middle-earth’s magical rings. These rare cards’ availability will be based on Tolkien’s iconic poem detailing how many of each kind of ring were made. (Three rings for the elven kings means 300 or 3,000 versions of that card, etc.) And, in the end, that, of course, leaves us with just one ring. Yes. There will be a special version of the One Ring of Power Magic card that will be serialized as only one of one. Happy hunting for this precious…

Click To View Gallery

Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth Comes to Magic: The Gathering

The initial news was from a slate of announcements Wizards of the Coast made about both Magic and Dungeons & Dragons offerings coming up in 2023 as Magic celebrates its 30th anniversary. We’ll also see a Doctor Who set coming soon. For both, alchemy sets will also be available for digital players of Magic: The Gathering Arena.

The Lord of the Rings Magic Cards Release Date and Product Information

A release for Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth shares more about what we can expect. It notes:

The Lord of the Rings has come to Magic: The Gathering, and it’s time to take familiar favorites on a whole new journey there and back again. In the upcoming set The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth™, players have the chance to join the Fellowship in adventures filled with valor, courage, and second breakfast. Play your favorite moments of the third age or turn Middle-earth on its head and surrender to the temptation of the Precious. Either way; Middle-earth is in your hands.

The set has two primary launch windows—June 2023 and a holiday launch in November 2023—and is the first full set release as part of Universes Beyond, bringing the iconic world of J.R.R. Tolkien to life within the Magic frame. The Lord of the Rings: Tales of Middle-earth is modern legal and comprised of Draft, Set, Collector, and Jumpstart Boosters, four Commander decks, a Starter Kit, a Bundle and Gift Bundle, Scene Boxes, and Secret Lair drops.

More Looks at the Art of This Collection

You can check out more product artwork from The Lord of the Rings Magic set below:

Click To View Gallery

Other Nerdy Sets

Even though scientists declared Magic: The Gathering the world’s most complex game, it’s clear that it offers something for everyone. There’s My Little Pony cards after all. Other recent crossovers include Stranger Things, FortNite, and Street Fighter. But no mashup has ever made me want to own a set more than the Bob Ross painting “Happy Little Gathering” landscapes collection. Maybe it’s not too late to get into Magic. 

If the game still doesn’t seem like quite your thing, you can always watch other people play. Like this delightful video of Joseph Gordon-Levitt opening his boxes of Magic cards for the first time since he was a kid. Or the Netflix animated series starring Brandon Routh, allegedly coming soon.

Originally published on August 18, 2022.

The post MAGIC: THE GATHERING Reveals First LORD OF THE RINGS Cards appeared first on Nerdist.

One can, it turns out, simply walk into one part of Middle-earth. No, it’s not Mordor. We’re talking about Rivendell. The beautiful location comes to life in The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell LEGO Icons set. Once you walk into this version of Rivendell, you’ll find yourself on a very unexpected journey—a delightful one.

I have never put together a serious LEGO set before Rivendell. But when I saw it announced, it was love at first sight. So I gathered my Fellowship, and together we embarked on this most remarkable quest with a set that LEGO provided to Nerdist. But luckily, unlike the trip to Mordor, building LEGO Rivendell only uncovered welcome surprise after welcome surprise. Before we get into the nitty-gritty, I’ll answer the question topmost on everyone’s mind. Is The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell LEGO set worth the $500 price tag? Unequivocally, yes.

Jump to: The Build // The Gazebo // The Tower // The Council Ring // The Minifigures // Takeaways

LEGO Rivendell: The Build

The 6,167 LEGO piece Rivendell set itself took around 23 hours to complete, and that’s with at least two people working on it for the majority of the time. An experienced LEGO adventurer might be able to build it more quickly. But to give you a better perspective on the size of the project, here’s the three-part instruction that came with LEGO Rivendell up against The Fellowship of the Ring. Don’t tell Tolkien, but the instruction books are giving him a run for his money.

But miraculously, no two sections of the three-part build or 49 bags of LEGOs are the same. As Bilbo would say, “You step onto the road, and if you don’t keep your feet, there’s no knowing where you might be swept off to.” The designers of LEGO Rivendell clearly understand that the journey is the adventure. At times, we found ourselves crafting almost Star Wars-like works of machinery; at others, we built graceful trees and put together tiny mushrooms, and still, on occasion, we found ourselves putting together a hidden fireplace that took two hours and dozens of pages to complete. But isn’t that what the elves would want?

The Gazebo with River

The Gazebo area of The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell set was likened to a Tetris game by its builders. Nothing came together how you thought it would exactly, but everything fit in some bizarrely interesting way that intriguingly lacked all symmetry. This part seemed more emotional, more about the feeling of the build than it was strictly technical. And that makes a lot of sense because it fully captures the beauty of Rivendell’s nature. The bubbling river is made of dozens of different kinds of blue and whites, and there are at least ten shades of green in this section of Rivendell alone.

LEGO really delivered a certain sensation of gorgeous wilderness in this area. It evokes the sensation of being lost in the woods, and that’s perfect for Rivendell. It’s also critical to note that the glow-in-the-dark mushrooms were a big hit.

Rivendell’s gazebo and iconic bridge also come perfectly to life in LEGO form. A note in the instruction books offers that the base for the gazebo was one of the most challenging geometric designs the designers faced in this model, and that’s felt. But the gazebo quickly goes from Death Star in the base build to ornate artistry as all its lines and shapes come together to an unbelievable finish.

The Tower

From the intertwining lines of the gazebo, we departed to the more geometric build of the tower. Alongside making sure every major part was different, LEGO Rivendell’s design also took care that sections alternated from difficult to easy. One minute, you’d nervously be flipping pieces and anxiously crossing your fingers everything fit, and the next, you’d be merrily tiling the roof.

As you continued to embark, little delights greeted you as a reward for your hard work. After a big base, you’d get to use stickers to craft Bilbo’s book. After a tricky axel, you could put together a bed and a couple of adorable lanterns.

Of course, the centerpiece of “The Tower” is the massive elven statue on the outside of it. Aside from being completely beautiful, the statue’s carved elves serve as bonus Minifigures. And you can imagine your favorite elf decorates the walls.

The Council Ring

By far, the biggest part of The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell LEGO build was the “The Council Ring.” In fact, it was more parts than the other two put together. But well worth it. Does Lord Elrond of Rivendell expect you to hand tile every bit of his floor? He certainly does.

The Council Ring’s attention to detail was literally awe-inspiring. Tiny desks, tiny candles, floor mosaics, a garden bench, little bird statues, maps, a throne—if an elven kingdom needs it, you built it. But there’s nothing more satisfying than the way all these miniature works of art come together to form the whole. LEGO Rivendell even took care to create a LEGO version of Lembas bread that you could serve on the table. Of course, the entire structure is mind-blowing as well, a feat of physics and impeccable planning.

All of that said, one of the most notable portions of this LEGO build is easily its many kinds of trees. Never have I seen plastic trees so beautiful and so varied. The golden tree and the large multi-hued green tree are indescribably delicate and incredibly nuanced. Holding them in your hands, it really feels like you’ve created a little wonder.

The Minifigures

Who doesn’t love a minifigure? The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell is especially exciting when it comes to minifigures because LEGO hadn’t to date, released all the members of the Fellowship in such a way. The set comes with 15 Minifigures which you discover as you go. Included are Gandalf the Grey, Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Merriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck, Peregrin “Pippin” Took, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and Aragorn. And in addition, we get LEGO minifigures of Elrond, Arwen, Bilbo Baggins, plus additional elves and a dwarf (Gloin) are also included.

(We mistook Gloin for Gandalf when we first revealed him, but, you know, Frodo was sad about his death anyway.)

The figures come with adorable props and even some almost fabric-like cloaks. For instance, Sam has a frying pan, Frodo has the ring, Arwen has a book, and Merry and Pippin have their favorite snacks.

In addition, a brand new kind of hair or wig was made for The Lord of the Rings elf minifigures. The instruction book shares that “it was molded in two different materials to provide color for the hair and the ears separately.” The hobbits also received dual molded legs to show off their signature trait, their feet. And finally, every character was created so that they all have the option to sit or stand. Otherwise, how could they come to sit in the council to discuss matters of the Ring?

The Rivendell set is amazing, but having this many minifigures allows it to also be cinematic. With all of your favorite The Lord of the Rings characters at hand, this LEGO build can tell many stories.

Takeaways about The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell

Click To View Gallery

In sum, The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell set is worth it. It is challenging but fun, technical but beautiful. Even though I was a complete LEGO beginner and this is an exceptionally complex set, I never felt overwhelmed. If I did make an error in my The Lord of the Rings build, the set ensured I discovered it quickly and could correct it with relative ease. I felt like LEGO had taken care of every question and thought before I even had to consider it. For example, when tiling the roof, LEGO provided an ingenious way to get all the tiles straight by using a different piece of LEGO. The structural builds were gravity-defying and exciting, but the small details really touched my heart.

Looking back, it’s hard to believe I built all that. And even though 23 hours is a long time, it never once felt tiresome. So would I journey there and back again and again to The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell? In a heartbeat.

The post LEGO’s LOTR: Rivendell Set Takes You on an Epic Quest with Majestic Results appeared first on Nerdist.

Get The Lord of the Rings fans; it’s time to pack your bags for the UK. (Unless you already happen to live there.) Because a The Lord of the Rings musical is heading to the stage of The Watermill Theatre. And, in even more exciting news, this The Lord of the Rings musical has immersive portions. Even more exciting than that, the musical will take place in a gorgeous, open-air setting. That makes it absolutely perfect for the content and our current life and times. Here’s what we know about this The Lord of the Rings musical so far.

The official description of the musical reveals more about what we can expect. It notes:

Venture into the otherworldly depths of Middle-earth with a brand-new intimate production based on the classic trilogy The Lord of the Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien featuring the music of A.R. Rahman (Bombay Dreams, Slumdog Millionaire), Värttinä and Tony Award winner and Grammy nominated Christopher Nightingale (Matilda the Musical).

As the Hobbits celebrate Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday, he gifts his nephew Frodo his inheritance – including his most precious belonging – a gold ring. Little does he know that his legacy will confront Frodo with an immense and impossible task; a perilous journey across the darkest realms of Mordor to foil the Dark Lord’s quest for total dominion.

Bursting out of the theatre and into the Watermill gardens, be immersed in the magical landscape of Tolkien and join an ensemble cast and large-scale puppets on an epic journey celebrating the power of friendship and common goodness to conquer unimaginable evil.

Okay, basically, we feel obsessed with this The Lord of the Rings musical. And we have always wanted to attend Bilbo Baggins’ eleventy-first birthday. ”We’re going to give audiences a very visceral experience in that they’ll be arriving into The Shire” for Bilbo Baggins’ ‘eleventy first’ [111st] birthday ‘on our lawn,'” Paul Hart, Watermill’s artistic director, tells Deadline. Hart promises immersive portions of The Lord of the Rings musical at the beginning and the end of the show. And the whole musical will have the backdrop of the River Lambourn, giving a very Middle-earth feel to the production.

Tickets for The Lord of the Rings musical go on sale for theater supporters on March 15. Email subscribers will have the ability to purchase on March 21. And the general sale begins on March 22. If you’ve ever wanted to go to Middle-earth, this is your chance. But if you can’t make it to the UK, content yourself with magical screenings of Return of the King in theaters instead.

The post A THE LORD OF THE RINGS Musical Heads to the UK Stage appeared first on Nerdist.

It’s a good time to be a Tolkien fan! After being treated to the Rings of Power series on Prime Video last year, it looks like fans will be heading back to Middle-earth on the big screen soon as well. Hector Navarro goes on an unexpected journey to break down all the latest news on the recently announced movies from Warner Brothers Discovery and what we could see from these new spin-offs on today’s episode of Nerdist News!

More Lord of the Rings News: https://nerdist.com/topic/tolkien/
Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: WB

#NerdistNews #LordOfTheRings #Tolkien #LOTR #MiddleEarth

The post LORD OF THE RINGS THEORY: What Will These New Middle-earth Spin-Offs Be About? appeared first on Nerdist.

There are more The Lord of the Rings movies in the works courtesy of Warner Bros., New Line Cinema, and the Embracer Group, which currently holds the rights to some of Middle-earth’s greatest adventures. So, of course, the next logical question is, what will these new The Lord of the Rings movies be about? And, naturally, we don’t yet have any clear answers. Details about the deal are slim, and, in fact, we don’t yet know the full scope of the rights handed over to Warner Bros. for future movies.

Right now, the Third Age of Middle-earth seems like the most likely setting for any new movies, though, as that’s when The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies take place. And Embracer has before name-dropped “Gandalf, Aragorn, Gollum, Galadriel, and Eowyn,” primarily Third Age figures, as characters to potentially further explore in film. But, before we get any official confirmations about the contents of the new The Lord of the Rings movies, let’s take a closer look at Middle-earth’s rich world. Here are some of Tolkien’s tales and characters that deserve their time to shine.

The Adventures of Legolas and Gimli After The Fellowship Ends

Legolas and Gimli won hearts and minds with their unlikely friendship in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings movies. But the truth is that they were barely on-screen throughout the trilogy, and their characters didn’t receive that much fleshing out. Fans of the characters and of Tolkien’s books will know that after the matter of the One Ring concluded, Gimli and Legolas became life partners and traveled together for the rest of their days… Even after Gimli became the Lord of the Glittering Caves.

Eventually, Gimli made the greatest journey of all with Legolas. He went west with him, across the ocean, and became the only dwarf to ever travel to the elven realm of Valinor. (Of course, even though Valinor also holds the name of “The Undying Lands,” traveling to them does not grant immortality. And Gimli would eventually die.)

As they say, the tired version of this movie would be a buddy-cop-style outing with lots of snark and orc-killing. But the wired version would be an intricate and passionate romance that spans lifetimes and ends in tragedy, something that feels more like Frank and Bill’s episode of The Last of Us. Neither Gimli nor Legolas, The Hobbit‘s weird interludes aside, even have canonical relationships that would need accounting for. And their relationship is definitely queer in the eyes of Middle-earth. Our eye is fixed on you, Warner Bros.

Tom Bombadil’s Middle-earth Tales (In Song)

Is this an original suggestion? Maybe not. But it certainly bears noting. Tom Bombadil was excised from the original The Lord of the Rings movies, which makes sense because there are many side-quests and meandering tales in Tolkien’s books that couldn’t make it into a more streamlined narrative. But fans have always hoped to see him on the screen. Tom Bombadil has a penchant for singing and telling tales and lives in the company of his beloved Goldberry, who is suspected to be a river spirit of sorts. And why not a The Lord of the Rings musical movie in our new slate?

Of course, there’s more to it than that. Although he appears a jovial sort, Tom Bombadil has great power. He’s implied to be the first living being in Middle-earth, and even the One Ring holds no sway over him. Tom Bombadil is also an other-worldly creature; he’ll step in to assist at times but does not have a full understanding of humanity, even less so than the elves. Definitely the kind of character that would be fun to bring to the screen. And we’d love to see the adventures he has in his Brandywine River Valley home play out, complete with appearances from the nefarious Old-Man Willow, the Badger-folk, and even Frodo Baggins himself.

Galadriel, Celeborn, and the Forest of Lothlórien

Fans of Peter Jackson’s films will know that Celeborn much desires to speak with Gandalf… But little else about the elf. In a new The Lord of the Rings movie, maybe we can actually see them get to have a conversation. But in all seriousness, Galadirel and her paramour are subjects of great interest. As is the mysterious forest realm of Lothlórien.

Galadriel is getting her day in the sun in The Rings of Power. And that will surely leave fans feeling hungry to know more about her Third Age pursuits, after her Second Age existence and before we meet her as the lady/witch of the wood. Tolkien’s books, as is their way, are not completely clear about Galadriel and Celeborn’s Third Age activities, but their paths do cross with evil. The Necromancer, a.k.a Sauron, builds Dol Guldur across the river from Lothlórien, drawing them to the land. And a Balrog of Khazad-dûm plays into their eventually assuming of its command.

Galadriel, of course, is also active in the fight against The Necromancer during this time. And she has ties with Gandalf, Saruman, Elrond, and other notable figures, making her the perfect center of a movie, with Celeborn to taste. We’d also love to finally know the mysterious origins of her all-seeing mirror.

Give Glorfindel His Moment in the New Lord of the Rings Movies

Glorfindel’s book role in helping the Fellowship transferred to Arwen in the movies, which was a necessary change to the story. But this elf lives quite a cinematic life in Tolkien’s writings, one that would suit new The Lord of the Rings movies well. Of course, what we can see on the screen depends on the rights available. But throughout his life, Glorfindel is a mighty warrior with immense power. He dies fighting a Balrog, gets resurrected by Manwë, and returns to fight again. He does not fear Sauron’s ringwraiths, and, in fact, sets up Eowyn’s iconic felling of the Witch-King of Angmar. Glorfindel prophecizes that the Witch-King cannot be killed by a man, which, in fact, holds.

Glorfindel also has divine powers and strength in both the seen and the unseen worlds. We see glimpses of the wraiths’ world when Frodo puts on the ring, but it would be interesting to visit there more fully.

Saruman’s Descent Into Darkness

Just how does Saruman’s pristine white blur into many colors? It always feels a little sudden, although we can see the consequences of it creep into the narrative before Frodo ever sets off on his journey. Still, there’s nothing like a tale of corruption. At some point, Saruman must have truly been a figure worthy of Gandalf’s admiration and trust, but pride and ambition clouded his mind. And then Sauron whispered in his ear, as Sauron always does. At points, Saruman seems to wish to use Sauron as a tool for his own supremacy, and, at others, he yields to the dark lord. This complicated tangle of evil, all mixed up in Saruman’s noble origins, would be an interesting one to watch.

Bonus: Anything Queer in the New The Lord of the Rings Movies, We Beg of You

The time for queerness in Middle-earth is now. Actually, the time was a few ages ago, but if we are getting new The Lord of the Rings movies, then there had better be a queer story front and center. Let’s be honest—Middle-earth elves have always been queer icons. You know it, I know it, I bet even Tolkien knew it. So the fact that there isn’t even one canonically queer The Lord of the Rings character is a travesty. Even The Rings of Power has yet to introduce a queer character, although it flirts with the relationship between Durin and Elrond quite a bit. And, of course, the show has made many important and welcome changes to the world.

Sam and Frodo, Gimli and Legolas, as mentioned above, that’s some true love stuff. And Galadriel. Well, Gimli’s quote, “They say that a great sorceress lives in these woods, an Elf-Witch of terrible power,” basically says it all. Not to mention, fans have thought these thoughts for literal decades. But even if we can’t go all the way there with known characters… Please, let’s just find a queer story to tell in these new The Lord of the Rings adventures.

The post 5 Middle-earth Stories the New LORD OF THE RINGS Movies Should Tell appeared first on Nerdist.

Going out your door can be a dangerous business. However, opening a beautiful board game and stepping onto the road of adventure is the opposite. Your path can still have a sense of discovery, thrill, and being part of something big—just with minimal risk. It’s the only way we’d want to join Frodo on his quest. If you also find that appealing, then Ravensburger’s upcoming game is for you. The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game is a chapter book-style game that makes you part of the Fellowship. Nerdist is happy to share this exclusive news, along with a first look at the game.

Like Ravensburger’s other Adventure Book Games for The Princess Bride and Wizard of Oz, The Lord of the Rings gameplay goes chapter-by-chapter. Eight total chapters will take you from the sleepy Shire to the fires of Mordor—as long as you don’t draw the Eye of Sauron. The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game‘s official synopsis states:

Sauron’s shadow has fallen across Middle-earth, and the One Ring must be destroyed. Leave the Shire’s green pastures to travel to fair Rivendell, survive the Mines of Moria, march on Isengard, and finally reach Mordor. Avoid the temptations of the One Ring as you work together to complete challenges… or risk drawing Eye of Sauron Cards…

Only then can you ensure the One Ring is delivered to the fiery heart of Mount Doom and destroy it once and for all!

Click To View Gallery

J.R.R. Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings trilogy is epic, so capturing it across eight chapters came as a challenge. Ravensburger Game Development Manager Shanon Lyon told Nerdist, “We started by having one of our designers, Jay Little, sketch out the beats of the book, looking for the moments fans would expect and want to see and the ones we’d need to make it feel cohesive so that players really feel like they’re playing through the story. Chapter 8 was one of the most difficult in terms of design. In the movies, there is so much going on. Our designer, Marcus Ross put a lot of hard work into making sure the chapter evokes the same feeling but also makes sense mechanically and narratively.”

Along with the eight-chapter game board, you’ll get seven character miniatures, a corruption track, 88 game cards, 52 counts, and four reference cards. The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game is for 1-4 players, ages 10 and up.

The Lord of the Rings Adventure Book Game will cost $34.99. It is officially on sale as of February 2023.

Originally published on January 23, 2023.

The post Go On a Journey with THE LORD OF THE RINGS ADVENTURE BOOK GAME appeared first on Nerdist.

Peter Jackson brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth to the screen in a big way with his adaptation of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. The first of those beloved films premiered 22 years ago. And now it’s all coming back. On an earnings call on Thursday, Warner Bros. Discovery CEO David Zaslav announced the company would be making new Lord of the Rings movies. Yes, really. Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema brokered a deal with The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit‘s’ rights-holders. We first spotted this news at The Hollywood Reporter.

Given some of the recent messiness in Zaslav’s tenure at Warner Bros. Discovery, this deal feels like someone trying to make a splash. Tolkien’s Middle-earth is a rich world, full of possibilities. However, we don’t have any details about what the new Lord of the Rings movies will be yet. We hope the movies will focus the story on other parts of Middle-earth. As we’ve seen with Prime Video’s The Rings of Power, many aspects of Middle-earth are well-suited for the screen. Fingers crossed for a Tom Bombadil standalone or something equally unexpected.

In a statement, CEO of Freemode, the division of Embracer Group that made the rights deal, Lee Guinchard said:

Following our recent acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises, we’re thrilled to embark on this new collaborative journey with New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, bringing the incomparable world of J.R.R. Tolkien back to the big screen in new and exciting ways. We understand how cherished these works are, and working together with our partners at New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures, we plan to honor the past, look to the future, and adhere to the strongest level of quality and production values.

That quote cites bringing Tolkien to the screen in “new and exciting ways.” It certainly implies they won’t remake Frodo’s story as told in The Lord of the Rings. Comments from Warner Bros Pictures Group Co-CEOs Michael De Luca and Pam Addy also support that. They said in a statement:

Twenty years ago, New Line took an unprecedented leap of faith to realize the incredible stories, characters and world of The Lord of the Rings on the big screen. The result was a landmark series of films that have been embraced by generations of fans. But for all the scope and detail lovingly packed into the two trilogies, the vast, complex and dazzling universe dreamed up by J.R.R. Tolkien remains largely unexplored on film. The opportunity to invite fans deeper into the cinematic world of Middle-earth is an honor, and we are excited to partner with Middle-earth Enterprises and Embracer on this adventure.

In other words, bring on that Tom Bombadil origin story.

The post New LORD OF THE RINGS Movies in the Works (Yes, Really) appeared first on Nerdist.

Sauron is having something of a renaissance. But that’s to be expected because in most modern The Lord of the Rings adaptations, he spent most of his time as a big old eyeball. But Amazon’s The Rings of Power changed all that. The series brought us a Sauron that took on a more human, some might say, more attractive form. So it stands to reason that it’s a good time to involve ourselves with Sauron’s tongue of choice, The Lord of the Rings‘ Black Speech. And what better way to do that than with a Black Speech keycaps for our keyboard?

This isn’t the first The Lord of the Rings keyboard that Drop has brought to us. We’ve loved the company’s elven and dwarvish keyboard sets. And, okay, fans of The Lord of the Rings will know that we don’t actually know too much about Black Speech when it comes to words or script. As the description for these evil Lord of the Rings keycaps shares:

Crafted by Sauron himself, “black speech” is a language without script, spoken only by Orcs, Wraiths, and others loyal to the Dark Lord—and written (seldomly) in the Elvish script Tengwar. That’s how it appears most infamously on The One Ring: in a scrawl that can only be described as sinister. It’s in this style that Matt3o created the legends for MT3 Black Speech, retaining the wording from MT3 Elvish, but rendering it in a twisted font befitting of Middle-earth’s most evil tongue.

Don’t you just feel a little cooler with an evil keyboard, though? The Black Speech keycaps require you to build your own keyboard. But happily, Drop has also released a full version of this The Lord of the Rings keyboard. And it is magnificent. The full Black Speech keyboard is now available for pre-order and costs $199. A release shares, “the new Black Speech keyboard reflects the darkness and gloomy lands of Mordor and features notable icons including the Eye of Sauron, the Shards of Narsil, a lone Nazgul – and, across the spacebar, the famed inscription on The One Ring.” What’s not to love?

For something extra special, you can also add an artisan keycap featuring Sauron and the One Ring to your keyboard.

We need Sauron’s eye looking at us from our escape key. And a space bar that has the full script of the One Ring’s inscription is also a must. One keyboard to rule them all. That’s what I always say in my letters to Mount Doom, Mordor.

Originally published on February 7, 2023.

The post Send Sauron a Letter with LOTR ‘Black Speech’ Keyboard appeared first on Nerdist.

If you love The Lord of the Rings universe, then this Rivendell LEGO set will have you saying, “my precious.” The upcoming The Lord of the Rings LEGO collectible translates one of Middle-earth’s most beautiful locations to perfection. Not only is it absolutely gorgeous, though, but the LEGO form of this elven stronghold brings a lot of narrative to the table. From its many Minifigures featuring all your favorite Lord of the Rings characters to all the nooks, crevices, and Easter eggs you’ll get to build in, this Rivendell set is not one to miss.

Part of the LEGO Icons collection, this The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell set takes inspiration from the franchise’s cinematic outings. (Although we’d love some The Rings of Power location sets sooner rather than later.) And just like the movies, attention to detail is key. From the gorgeous golden trees of Rivendell to the broken shards of Narsil, the LEGO set has considered Elrond’s home from every angle. We feel almost overwhelmed by its possibilities.

A release shares more about the three sections included in the Rivendell LEGO build:

Section one, featuring:
The Council Ring – complete with a semicircular ring of chairs for the council and the plinth where the ring is first revealed and the Fellowship discuss how to destroy it
Frodo’s Bedroom – with a desk and chest where the young hobbit recovers following his rescue by Arwen from the hands of the Nazgûl, before being reunited with Bilbo
Elrond’s study – with famous paintings from the history of Middle-earth

Section two, featuring:
An elven tower – featuring five Elven statues of unnamed famous warriors from the past

Second three, featuring:
Gazebo, river and bridge – to recreate the scene where the Fellowship departs Rivendell.

And with fifteen Minifigures, you’ll also be able to populate your world and successfully create your Fellowship. These figures include the core fellowship. So we get Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, Merriadoc “Merry” Brandybuck, Peregrin “Pippin” Took, Legolas, Gimli, Boromir, and Aragorn. In addition, Elrond, Arwen, and Bilbo Baggins help complete the LEGO Rivendell build. Sounds like everyone we could possibly ask for to bring our The Lord of the Rings dreams to life.

Click To View Gallery

However, this Rivendell LEGO set might require you to be an Elven lord if you’d like to purchase it. The 6,167-piece collector’s item will cost The Lord of the Rings fans $499.99. It’s hefty but the set is incredibly lovely. Truly LEGO Elrond will live very happily there. The Lord of the Rings: Rivendell LEGO set goes on sale on March 8.

The post This 6,000 Piece Rivendell LEGO Set Takes You on a LORD OF THE RINGS Adventure appeared first on Nerdist.

Maybe we don’t live in the darkest timeline after all. In this version of the multiverse, Sean Astin plays Samwise Gamgee in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Perhaps that’s all the proof we need. We’re not surprised to hear that there was an extensive casting call for the role, but somehow the news that James Corden auditioned seems downright shocking. Corden himself revealed the tale of his auditions on the Happy Sad Confused podcast, which we saw via Gizmodo. Yes, James Corden could have been Sam on The Lord of the Rings.

“Every single person, in London auditioned for The Lord of the Rings,” says Corden in the clip above. “Everybody.” And though he admits his tryout was “not good,” he did get two callbacks. He even did Sam’s accent in a bid for the role, which he demonstrates in the clip above. But instead of making it big with 2001’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, Corden first major movie role came in 2014’s Into the Woods. He landed The Late Late Show the following year.  

Corden may not have gone on the journey of The Lord of the Rings, but he did team up with at least one member of the fellowship. Both he and Gandalf himself, Sir Ian McKellen, later appeared in the very odd movie adaptation of Cats. Meanwhile, Astin went on to star in a variety of projects, including a season of Stranger Things. Fans also love him from earlier projects like Goonies and Rudy.

The Lord of the Rings cast reunites from time to time. It always results in a wholesome display of their chemistry and love for each other. It’s impossible to imagine any one of them traded out for someone else. It makes sense that Peter Jackson and his team auditioned hundreds, if not thousands, of people, though. But never have we felt so blessed to live in the timeline where they chose the actors we know and love as the nine members of the fellowship. Astin was particularly perfect as the brave and kind Samwise Gamgee. Nothing (much) against Corden, but we doubt anyone could have done this Lord of the Rings role more justice.

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.

The post James Corden Auditioned for THE LORD OF THE RINGS’ Samwise, It Was ‘Not Good’ appeared first on Nerdist.

The Shire might just be the most beautiful and peaceful place in all of literature. The filming location in New Zealand that stood in for this tranquil parcel of Middle-earth is also gorgeous. It’s been open to tourists for years but now, for the first time ever, you can spend the night in Hobbiton. Three lucky people will be able to book the experience through Airbnb. For only 10 New Zealand dollars (about $6 US) per night, you get a two bedroom house in the Shire. Bring your three favorite friends and family members or some friendly cousins (once removed) and your gardener! The two-night stays, which will take place in March 2023, go on sale December 14, 2022 at 10am New Zealand time.  

Click To View Gallery

The property began as a sheep farm in Waikato, New Zealand. It is offering up this unique experience to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the first Hobbit film. Guests will have access to a writing desk if they want to record their own adventures and a book nook if they’d rather curl up with a good long trilogy. The nearby Green Dragon Inn pours real Southfarthing beer and cider. Just remember that it doesn’t come in pints. There’s also many hearty meals since Hobbits love to eat. The decor is all curated by Brian Massey, who worked on both the Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies.

Airbnb has offered other once-in-a-lifetime experiences, including stays at the Sanderson sisters’ cottage in Massachusetts and the Mystery Machine van in Malibu. If you’re not one of the lucky few to book this Hobbiton visit, there are other fan recreations of the Shire to check out. Or if you believe that it’s a dangerous business going out your door, stay home instead and watch ambient videos of The Shire and other peaceful Middle-earth locales on YouTube. 

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.

The post Spend the Night in Hobbiton Thanks to Airbnb appeared first on Nerdist.

On The Rings of Power, the orcs, following their mysterious leader Adar, searched for a powerful weapon. We were curious about the weapon, itself, but also wondered, just who is The Rings of Power‘s Adar? In the sixth episode of the show, Adar and his orcs get their wish. But, while Theo’s sword hilt may have given Adar’s children a dark new home on Middle-earth, the episode also revealed more than the creation of Mount Doom. It revealed Adar no longer serves Sauron, as we initially thought the mutilated elf might. Throughout The Rings of Power, we’ve slowly uncovered Adar’s true identity. The show has offered us insight into the one-time elf, his origins, and why the otherwise hateful orcs adore Adar as they do.

But why would Adar “split” from the path Sauron and Morgoth laid out? The Lord of the Rings‘ history of orcs, the meaning of the word “adar” in Elvish, and the elf’s own past all came into play to explain why he’s one of the most infamous figures in all of Middle-earth… And why he wants to free orcs, evil as they may be, from a life of servitude. But also how Adar inadvertently has given Sauron everything he wants on The Rings of Power.

Jump to: Who Are the Orcs? // The Orcs’ Tolkien History // Adar as the First Orc Created by Morgoth // The Meaning of the Word Adar // Why Did Adar Turn on Sauron? // Adar’s Future // Adar Recast on The Rings of Power

Who Are Lord of the Rings’ Orcs?

On The Rings of Power, the orcs follow Adar. And so, first understanding these creatures helps us to understand their leader. Orcs, called goblins in The Hobbit, have loomed large in J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy world since the beginning. The Lord of the Rings‘ orcs served Morgoth during the Years of the Trees before the First Age. And they continued as soldiers of evil until the end of Middle-earth’s Third Age.

Ugly, violent creatures, orcs hate almost everyone and everything. That includes themselves. This is why it’s so interesting that The Rings of Power‘s orcs do not hate Adar. They also abhor natural beauty and handcrafted works. But that doesn’t prevent them from making things themselves. From weapons and tools, to torture devices and machines of war, Lord of the Rings‘ orcs are crafty.

Orcs live in darkness, most notably deep inside mountains. They are excellent tunnel builders who shun the sun whenever possible because the light burns them. That’s why on The Rings of Power, Adar and the orcs had elves and humans digging for that missing sword hilt. And why the orcs wear robes if forced to go out during the day. They cannot go into the light.

While it’s unclear exactly how long orcs live, one infamous orc was at least 150 years old. And though they lack anything resembling culture, orcs are also much smarter than they look and have great stamina and strength.

The History and Origins of Middle-earth’s Orcs and The Rings of Power‘s Adar

J.R.R. Tolkien himself changed the origin story of orcs during his lifetime. At one point, he said Morgoth created orcs through sorcery from “the heats and slimes of the earth.” But the author later wrote that only the supreme being Eru Ilúvatar could create life. (Well, minus when the Valar Aulë created dwarves.)

Morgoth’s inability to make life was one of the things that made him jealous of Ilúvatar in the first place. That’s why he needed one of the supreme being’s own “children” to bring orcs to the world. So if Morgoth didn’t create orcs, where did they come from? From Ilúvatar, just not the way he made them. And it is that very The Lord of the Rings tale from which The Rings of Power draws Adar’s origins.

The accepted origin of The Lord of the Rings orcs is the one found in The Silmarillion. It says Morgoth kidnapped some elves when they first awoke in Middle-earth, before the Valar could find the first “children” of Ilúvatar. He then used dark magic to transform them into horrible creatures who served him, just as they would eventually serve the next Dark Lord, Sauron.

The Rings of Power confirms that this history is actually Adar’s own. The truth comes out in a scene between Galadriel and Adar.

Adar as the Elf Who Became the First Orc, Created by Morgoth

Galadriel more or less reveals exactly who Adar is in The Rings of Power‘s sixth episode. She tells us that she heard stories about elves like Adar. He is one of the elves Morgoth “tortured” and “twisted” into “a new and ruined form of life.” She called those elves, the first orcs, “the Moriondor, the Sons of the Dark.”

But Adar says they prefer another name: Uruk. And he defends his children’s right to live and have a home by saying orcs are creations of “The One, Master of the secret fire.” According to Adar, orcs have names and hearts, just the same as Galadriel, and by extension, Adar, who links them all together. In one scene, The Rings of Power confirms both Adar’s identity, an elf turned to evil by Morgoth, and the origins of orcs, once and for all.

Why The Rings of Power‘s Orcs Call Their Leader Adar, The Elvish Word for Father?

Now we know that Adar is literally the orcs’ father on The Rings of Power. So it thus makes sense that the elves call him “Adar.” In Sindarin Elvish, “Adar” is the word for “father.” (The Sindar spoke their own version of Elvish because they never made it to the land of the Valar like other elves. After awakening in Middle-earth, they never left, same as the kidnapped Moriondor.) Pretty obvious if you think about it.

But as strange as it sounds for orcs, the love Adar shows for them is reciprocated. The orcs are all Adar’s offspring, and he cares for them, just as he is the only figure orcs truly care for in all of Tolkien’s Middle-earth. The use of the word “Father” when it comes to Adar thus feels more emotional than just a factual title. Through Adar, we get a whole new look at orcs on The Rings of Power.

Are There Female Orcs on Middle-Earth?

If orcs are made from elves, do they replicate like elves, too? Some believe that Morgoth’s creatures (which include orcs, werewolves, trolls, dragons, and more) self-reproduce. However, we’re going to meet some female orcs on The Rings of Power, a fact Adar confirmed when he spoke of “brothers and sisters” among his orcs.

For now, though, the specifics of orc reproduction is unknown. (Which is almost certainly for the best.) But it’s not unreasonable to think it is a slow one since Sauron sometimes hid for thousands of years while gathering and reinforcing his army. The forces of evil always needed more orcs because, unlike elves, they don’t live forever. And the further removed from their father, Adar, the less like him they become.

Why Are Orcs So Different From Adar on The Rings of Power?

Adar has lived for thousands of years and remembers Beleriand (a land that went under at the end of the First Age) because he’s an ageless elf. That’s also why, unlike his children, the sun does not burn him. Adar can still feel the warmth from the sun of the Valar, which he says he will miss when it’s gone. But despite Adar and his past, The Rings of Power‘s orcs are not elves.

The orcs get uglier and more twisted the further removed they are from their elf ancestors and Ilúvatar. That’s also why the orcs of the show’s Second Age don’t even look as hideous as their ancestors of the Third Age. Those differences and vulnerabilities are a big reason why Adar turned on Sauron, who saw his children as disposable.

Why Did Adar Turn Against Sauron?

Adar had his orcs digging for the sword hilt Theo possesses, but he wasn’t doing it for Sauron. In fact, Adar believes he killed Sauron. The one-time elf was doing it for his orc children whom he loves, many of whom Sauron had sacrificed in his quest to rule Middle-earth. Adar wanted to give The Rings of Power‘s orcs a new home, one where they would not only be safe from light but safe from Dark Lords who treat them as disposable. Neither Morgoth nor Sauron ever loved orcs. They were slaves in service of evil.

Adar thinks he not only stopped serving Sauron, but that he also stopped the Dark Lord forever. Adar tells Galadriel that he killed Sauron himself. But the history of orcs says his desire to take care of his children guaranteed them another age of servitude. Adar brought Mount Doom from the depths of the earth. It will be orcs’ new home, free from the sunlight that plagues them, as he desires, but Sauron will be the one to rule over it. Sauron needs the fires of Mount Doom to forge the Rings of Power, a fact that Adar could not have known. But in seeking solace, Adar has given Sauron everything he needs to bring his evil down on Middle-earth.

Adar’s Future on Season Two of The Rings of Power

It would seem that Adar even christened the new land with the name Sauron will use, Mordor. But there’s unlikely to be a place in Mordor for an Adar that orcs will love more than they fear Sauron. In the final episode of The Rings of Power, Halbrand, who we now know to be Sauron, seems to refer to Adar as his enemy. And we then see Sauron on his way to Mount Doom, which feels like trouble ahead.

Charlie Vickers who plays Sauron, has given us some insight into what will transpire between Adar and Sauron in season two of The Rings of Power. In an interview Vickers offers more about the interaction between himself and Joseph Mawle, who plays Adar:

Joseph and I worked really hard in creating that story and it’s something we see more of in the second season. We see Adar and Sauron’s time and how they first connected. Adar’s going to have to do some saying sorry at some point though [for what he did in season one].

It sounds like Vickers is already alluding to Sauron threatening Adar’s existence. Well, we know who Adar is now, but he also may have just sealed his fate on The Rings of Power.

Adar Recast on The Rings of Power—Sam Hazeldine Replaces Joseph Mawle

In bittersweet news, we recently learned that Sam Hazeldine would replace Joseph Mawle as Adar in season two of The Rings of Power. Recasts can be tricky, but we hope that the character will continue his journey and evolution into the next season of the show. It certainly sounds like there will be a lot in store for Adar.

Sam Hazeldine previously acted in Peaky Blinders and appears on The Sandman. While we have no doubt he will do a great job in the role, we will miss Mawle’s version of Adar. We hope Hazeldine can capture the same balance of tragic and antagonistic that Mawle did.

We’ll have to tune into The Rings of Power to see what becomes of the father of orcs.

Originally published on September 12, 2022.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Who Is Adar on THE RINGS OF POWER? A History of LORD OF THE RINGS’ Orcs appeared first on Nerdist.

One doesn’t simply walk into Mordor. But apparently in Wisconsin you can walk into a tunnel and just start playing a really long flute. That’s just what Paul Harvey, also known as Flute Guy, did on a recent hike. What better music to play than part of Howard Shore’s enchanting score from The Lord of the Rings trilogy? He even used a long flute, called a drone flute, that doubles as a walking stick. It’s very appropriate, considering how far everyone walked in the series. The acoustics are gorgeous and even the added sounds of dripping water and kids whispering add to the magic. 

An ironworker, Harvey often records videos from job sites still wearing high visibility clothes and a hard hat. He finds good acoustics in unlikely places like stairwells and rest stop bathrooms. This is far from the first time Harvey has shared his take on the ethereal music of Middle-earth. He previously recorded a version in a parking garage, even singing along to Pippin’s song from The Return of the King. Harvey also sings and plays “Far Over the Misty Mountains Cold” from The Hobbit, which we’ve heard a deep bass cover of as well. 

He also covers the memorable music of everything from Titanic and Star Wars on the Paul Harvey Flute guy YouTube channel. We saw this video thanks to Laughing Squid.

If you’re looking for a less relaxing take on the gorgeous Lord of the Rings score, don’t forget that there’s a heavy metal version of the entire three-plus hour Fellowship of the Ring score. No matter the instrument, we always enjoy hearing the music of Middle-earth.

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth. 

The post ‘Flute Guy’ Playing LORD OF THE RINGS Music Inside a Tunnel Is a Joy appeared first on Nerdist.

‘Tis the season for ugly holiday sweaters. Whether you gather in the Golden Hall or around the Party Tree, these The Lord of the Rings ugly holiday sweaters will keep you festive and warm. FUN.com has four designs to help you showcase your fandom this holiday season. Would you choose Gandalf battling the fiery Balrog or Gollum admiring the ring in his dark cave? Both come with the one ring’s Black Speech text scrolled across the waistband and sleeves.

If you prefer more muted tones, there’s also a Mordor sweater. Barad-dûr and Mount Doom dominate, while the Nazgûl and eagles battle overhead. Slightly more cheerfully, the final option is a festive green and features Treebeard carrying Merry and Pippin as they roam the forests near Isengard. Just don’t tell Treebeard what happens to trees during the Christmas season. 

Click To View Gallery

All of the Lord of the Rings ugly holiday sweaters are a cozy and comfortable acrylic and cotton blend. They each sell for $49.99. The prints are bold and colorful, as holiday sweaters are meant to be. But FUN also makes more subtle ways to show off your favorite fandom. If you want to keep your geekiness slightly more muted but still represent in the office or at weddings, there’s everything from blazers with superhero linings to Bob Ross boxer briefs, and even a TARDIS pocket square.

Every year we’re thankful for a new batch of ugly holiday sweaters to choose from. There’s one for every fandom imaginable at this point, even when the movie or TV show isn’t particularly festive. For example, Game of Thrones isn’t known for its fun celebrations of special occasions—quite the opposite really—and yet there are ugly sweaters to represent those complicated family gatherings. And you don’t have to be Ryan Reynolds to pull off an ugly holiday sweater, they’re fun for the whole family. 

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth. 

The post These LORD OF THE RINGS Ugly Sweaters Will Become Precious to You appeared first on Nerdist.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power triumphantly took us to Middle-earth in its first season. But for fans of the show, eight episodes simply did not feel like enough. But luckily, we can now delay the wait for season two of The Rings of Power a while longer with new bonus features. Prime Video invites us to dive back into The Rings of Power‘s first season with unreleased behind-the-scenes content from the show’s first eight episodes. “The Making of The Rings of Power” will give fans “an exclusive look behind the scenes of all eight episodes via Prime Video’s X-Ray feature, pulling back the curtain on the real-life creation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s magnificent realms like never before.”

We didn’t need an excuse to immerse ourselves in this great show once more, but we’re excited about this one. Here’s a sneak peek at all the bonus features we can expect.

We’re welcomed back into the world of The Rings of Power by the sounds of the same stirring, epic music which raised adventure in our hearts every time we heard it on the show. The trailer for “The Making of The Rings of Power” teases us with the new aspects of the series we might uncover. From a close-up look at the stunning costume design to seeing how the show and even its actors literally forged artifacts for our favorite characters to new interviews with the cast and crew, these The Rings of Power X-Ray bonus features are a must-see.

Even just from a brief glimpse, we can also already tell just how much of Tolkien’s world The Rings of Power built practically into our own. It’s clearly an incredible feat, one that makes everything we see on the show that much more exciting. Sign us up to visit Middle-earth.

More About The Rings of Power‘s Bonus Content

A release from the show further breaks down what we can expect from “The Making of The Rings of Power” and its bonus features. It shares:

X-Ray’s behind-the-scenes content invites audiences to take a close, personal look at Season One’s production, allowing fans to discover how the series meticulously brought J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth to life in all of its splendor. These “making of” pieces, each corresponding to one of the first season’s eight episodes, provide a thrilling deep dive into the series, with exclusive access, behind-the-scenes footage, and interviews with the cast, showrunners, executive producers, directors, and production team.

“The Making of The Rings of Power” gives fans a special inside look at the creation of the unique realms that make up Middle-earth, including Númenor and Khazad-dûm, both shown on screen at the heights of their glory for the first time. These segments also reveal exciting details about the production design, set decoration, costumes, makeup, visual and special effects, stunts, sword fights, horseback riding, and so much more of the intricate preparation involved in creating this very special world.

Accessing Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings Content on X-Ray

X-Ray, and the special The Rings of Power bonus features, can be accessed at any point while watching the series on Prime Video. Fans can also access the X-Ray episodes on the “Bonus Content” section of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power‘s main Prime Video page.

We can’t wait to enter the world of Middle-earth again as we dive into more of this The Lord of the Rings series. And we also can’t wait to analyze every last new scene of bonus content… Maybe we’ll even unlock new clues for The Rings of Power season two.

The post THE RINGS OF POWER Reveals Exclusive Bonus Content on Prime Video’s X-Ray appeared first on Nerdist.

In order to help everyone prep their holiday binge-watch of all things Lord of the Rings, we have compiled all of our favorite easter eggs we spotted in this first season of The Rings of Power. Join Matt Caron as he dives deep into Middle-earth lore to point out details you may or may not have missed. Now you too can be THAT friend who can point out every little face while watching The Rings of Power.

More Rings of Power News: https://nerdist.com/topic/tolkien/
Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Intro: 00:00:00:00
Episode 1: 00:00:48:11
Episode 2: 00:06:02:04
Episode 3: 00:07:34:20
Episode 4: 00:09:19:01
Episode 5: 00:11:13:11
Episode 6: 00:12:14:22
Episode 7: 00:13:22:17
Episode 8: 00:14:00:17

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: Prime Video

#NerdistNews #LOTR #TheRingsOfPower #LordoftheRings #Tolkien #PrimeVideo

The post The Rings of Power: Our Favorite Easter Eggs in Season One (Nerdist News w/ Matt Caron) appeared first on Nerdist.

Middle-earth recently arrived on Prime Video. And Amazon’s expensive foray into the realm of orcs, wizards, and elves introduced viewers to the world’s Second Age. It’s a time that predates The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings trilogy. But the show isn’t the only format that brings that period to life. For the first time ever, The Silmarillion is getting a new fully illustrated edition with paintings and drawings done by Tolkien himself. And anyone interested in knowing more about the world of The Rings of Power may want to consider this beautiful copy of The Silmarillion, which is now available to purchase.

HarperCollins announced this brand-new version of The Silmarillion. It is the first fully illustrated edition of Tolkien’s 1977 book. Originally his son published The Silmarillion posthumously after his father’s death. Unlike his narrative novels, which take place during Middle-earth’s Third Age, the book explores the history and myths of the First and Second Ages.

“J.R.R. Tolkien was a young man in his early twenties when he first began to envision his great legendarium, and had just taken his first steps into the world of The Silmarillion when war took him to France,” said Jennifer Hart, HarperCollins Senior Vice President and Associate Publisher, in a statement. “Despite the terrible experience of that dark time, during the next ten years he would create texts of surpassing beauty, lyrical power, and narrative energy as he began to tell the story of the Elder Days of Middle-earth.

Tolkien continued working on The Silmarillion long after the 1955 release of the final book in his seminal trilogy. But it was his son who completed the book and had it published in 1977. Needless to say, fans loved it. It became a #1 New York Times bestseller. With more than a million copies purchased in its first year.

Tolkien’s son Christopher created the Middle-earth maps for the book. And many of his father’s drawings and painting for it have released in other formats over the years. But this new edition marks the first time The Silmarillion will include all of Tolkien’s original art.

This new, illustrated version of The Silmarillion released on November 8. Worldwide translations will follow. Hopefully, that will include a copy in Elvish. We want the most authentic version we can get.

Originally published on March 25, 2022.

The post Tolkien’s THE SILMARILLION Officially Has a Fully-Illustrated Edition appeared first on Nerdist.

Today in very silly math problems, someone has figured out how many cans of SpaghettiOs you would need if you wanted to rewrite the The Lord of the Rings trilogy in that noodle-y medium. You may ask why, but we ask why not. First up, the creative mind behind the @tsj_electronics TikTok account figured out how many of each letter is in the average can of SpaghettiOs. This part of the project required hands-on counting and the rest was programming. 

Each can of SpaghettiOs is about 37% the letter O, with the rest split pretty evenly among the other 25 letters in the alphabet. Though he breezes through this part of the calculation, apparently J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy has 2,261,081 letters in it. The most common letter is E, making it the limiting factor. In order to get all 281,428 E’s needed, you’d have to open 8,795 cans of SpaghettiOs. And you’d also waste a lot of food, with 8,134,609 letters leftover. 

The TikTok account, which we learned about from GameSpot, has some other fun SpaghettiOs content outside of The Lord of the Rings. After making the program, his first calculation was how many cans it would take to write the script for Bee Movie (192). The SpaghettiOs brand account got in touch, offering to send him and his local food pantry 192 cans each. He also created a font with the noodles and showed off how the letter M and W differ. The calculation involving the King James Bible adds new fun facts. Some of them include the amount of calories and how high that many cans would stack.

This is not the only fun math problem that definitely didn’t need to be solved we’ve seen recently. We also know how much it would have cost E.T. to phone home if he’d used a regular phone and whether or not Westeros dragons are too big to fly on those small wings.

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth. 

The post How Many Cans of SpaghettiOs Would It Take to Write THE LORD OF THE RINGS Trilogy? appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power‘s premiere ended with Galadriel refusing to abandon her mission on Middle-earth for an eternity of peace at her former home of Valinor. She likely wouldn’t have survived the journey back, though, had she not come across Halbrand and the wreckage of his ship. Together the two avoided death inside a monstrous sea worm. Halbrand also saved Galadriel from drowning, and he defended her before the royal court of Númenor. But who is Halbrand on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and how did this mysterious man end up lost among the waves? What is Halbrand running from and why? As Halbrand said, “looks can be deceiving.” He might be a new ally with a troubled past looking for redemption. Or The Rings of Power‘s Halbrand might be the very evil Galadriel has sworn to destroy.

Whatever the answer, The Rings of Power certainly wants us to think Halbrand might really be The Lord of the Rings‘ Sauron. But is he? Let’s find out.

Jump to: Where Does Halbrand Came From? // What Is the Meaning of Halbrand’s Necklace? // Is Halbrand a Hero or Villain? // What Is Halbrand’s Identity on The Rings of Power? // Finale Verdict on Halbrand and Sauron

Where Does The Rings of Power‘s Halbrand Come From?

Charlie Vickers’ Halbrand hasn’t exactly been hiding the fact he’s holding back important information about himself. That’s not how you maintain secrets. Especially not someone as smart and cunning as Halbrand. No, on The Rings of Power, Halbrand wants Galadriel to know he’s hiding something vital. And since everything he does and says seems to be intentional, everything we “know” about him might be a lie. But at minimum, even if he’s not being honest or only telling half-truths, that still reveals something about who he is.

Halbrand says his people have no king. They no longer even have a home in the Southlands where he comes from. Orcs drove them away and left his home in ashes. (Orcs are doing just that all over the south.) That would explain why Halbrand knew something no elf, not even Galadriel, realized—the “enemy” is in the Southlands, too.

Orcs are hard to find throughout Middle-earth at this point in the The Rings of Power‘s depiction of the Second Age. They’ve been hiding from the sunlight and their foes for hundreds of years and only recently started terrorizing the world again. The closer a man’s home is to the hidden sanctuary of evil, the more likely they are to encounter them. But that also means they’re more likely to have once fought alongside orcs.

Where in The Lord of the Rings‘ World Were Halbrand and His Ship Going?

Elves sail west to reach Valinor. The only Lord of the Rings location men sail towards in that direction is Númenor, where Elendil ended up taking Halbrand and Galadriel.

That’s the island the Valar created specifically for the men who helped defeat Morgoth the Dark Lord during the First Age. It’s the greatest kingdom of men during the Second Age when the show takes place.

On The Rings of Power, Halbrand hasn’t confirmed he was sailing to Númenor. But it’s the most logical place for any men to run to after orcs destroyed their home. It’s also a place he’s in no rush to leave. As Halbrand said, the island is “a paradise rife with opportunities.” It also’s a safe haven, far from the homeland he swore never to return to. Not even a jail cell has diminished Halbrand’s resolve to stay. When he spoke with his new fellow prisoner Galadriel in episode four, he asked her to “cease trying to convince” him to leave the island.

Halbrand, despite everything, wanted to remain in The Lord of the Rings‘ city right up until the moment he finally relented and joined Galadriel and the Númenóreans on their journey back to Middle-earth.

What Is the Meaning of Halbrand’s Necklace?

Halbrand’s necklace contains a pouch holding a vial likely full of liquid. In Middle-earth that unknown concoction could be a form of sustenance. (Elves, orcs, and ents alike have their own.) But while the pouch’s contents remain a mystery, The Rings of Power‘s third episode revealed what the necklace’s metal tag represents for Halbrand.

Galadriel found a drawing with the same symbol in the Hall of Law, which Númenor’s first king, Elros created. Elros also helped defeat Morgoth and his allies, which included some men.

Galadriel believes the symbol on Halbrand’s necklace is that of the Southlands’ king, the person who united tribes of men during the First Age. Galadriel also said the symbol reveals why Halbrand has no king and what he is hiding. Halbrand is the Southlands’ lost king in The Rings of Power. (Same as Aragorn will one day be Gondor’s.) Halbrand hasn’t denied any of that, but he did say he took the necklace from a dead man.

He also said he’s “not the hero” Galadriel seeks because his ancestors “swore a blood oath” to Morgoth. “Lord” Halbrand also told her he’s done terrible things to make it thus far. In the meanwhile, Halbrand has decided to lean into the necklace and its meaning. When Bronwyn recognizes the symbol she acknowledges Halbrand as King of the Southlands, and he accepts. Of course, a wrench, or is that a planned move, is thrown into Halbrand’s plan, as the Southlands become Mount Doom.

Those are not the only signs he might not be a great hero, though.

Is Halbrand a Hero or a Villain in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?

Thus far, Halbrand has been presented as the Second Age’s version of a famous J.R.R. Tolkien character. The Lord of the Rings had its own dark-haired man who kept important secrets, Aragorn. And like Halbrand claims, Lord of the Rings‘ Aragorn was a man without a home who hated orcs and the forces of evil. But Aragorn, the lost king in hiding, was unquestionably a hero. He would never have done what Halbrand did to survive the seaworm. Halbrand abandoned “his companions to death” because he’s “the sort who knows how to survive.”

Halbrand’s also a thief and fearsome warrior not opposed to using violence. And he deceives not to hide his identity but for personal gain. He’s cunning and resourceful, capable of charming others to his will. The Rings of Power‘s Halbrand has a silver-tongue that he employs to manipulate others with lies and half-truths, just as Morgoth once did. And so far, he hasn’t used any of his skills for noble reasons. Yes, he agreed to fight with Galadriel, but since we know so little about him for sure, we can’t yet trust his reasons for departing Númenor or fighting for the Southlands are honest and good.

But Halbrand not only allowed Galadriel to come aboard his wreckage, he dove into the sea to save her from drowning. He also spoke up on her behalf before the rulers of Númenór. He doesn’t want to leave, but joined the fight anyway. And even from a jail cell, he helped Galadriel realize the error of her ways in dealing with the Queen Regent. Galadriel has only convinced Númenor to go to Middle-earth with her because of Halbrand’s aide. If he were a villain, would he repeatedly rescue and help an elf who won’t stop prying into a past he’s hiding from? Would he help reunite elves and men?

He might if he’s the villain Galadriel is searching for on The Rings of Power—Sauron.

Is The Rings of Power‘s Halbrand Really Sauron in Disguise?

The Lord of the Rings‘ Sauron is a shapeshifter who takes on other forms and identities so he can covertly spread evil throughout the world. He thrives by earning the trust of others with good counsel, that way, he can later plant malice in their minds. Sauron is dangerous because he slowly manipulates the will of others to his own goals, like Halbrand seemingly does. The Dark Lord can even control the deadliest creatures to do his bidding, creatures like a giant sea worm. If anyone could cause an attack at sea and also survive it, Sauron could. Just as no one else could smile before his enemies in Númenor without being discovered or stand beside Galadriel without her realizing who he really is.

Sauron also knows the power of Númenórian kingdom poses a major threat to his own dreams of ruling Middle-earth. And, like Halbrand, The Lord of the Rings’ Sauron knows the “enemy” resides in the Southlands because that’s where he’s building his tower in Mordor.

Telling Lies By Telling the Truth: Sauron and Halbrand

If Halbrand is Sauron—whose own king (Morgoth) fell long ago, who is already building his own fortress near the fires of Mount Doom by this time, and who in The Silmarillion was briefly a prisoner of Númenór before becoming one of its most trusted councilors—in disguise, almost everything he has said carries a totally different meaning. It’s the kind of double-speak that would reveal why Sauron’s deceptions flourished—because he told the truth.

“The tides of fate are flowing. Yours might be heading in..or out.”
“Looks can be deceiving.”
“I suspect finding safety won’t be that easy. Especially not for you.”
“My people have no king.”
“I have been searching for my peace far longer than you know.”
“Be careful elf, the heir to this mark is heir to more than just nobility.”
“I am not the hero you seek.”

Halbrand’s Deceptions on The Rings of Power

Even Halbrand saying he wanted to “set history aside” so as not to antagonize the Númenóreans takes on new meaning if he’s secretly Sauron. The Númenóreans helped defeat Morgoth and are the reason Sauron and his “people” have no king. But The Rings of Power‘s Halbrand would be kind to both them and Galadriel so he can build trust if he were Sauron. That lets him get close to his enemies so he can destroy them from within. And since everything Halbrand is saying would still be technically true if he’s actually The Lord of the Rings’ Sauron, his lies are harder to recognize. And that’s because they aren’t lies at all. They’re just hidden truths.

That includes even saying he’s sorry to Galadriel about her brother, whom Sauron killed.

Saving Galadriel

That’s why Halbrand saving Sauron’s sworn enemy Galadriel makes sense if he’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Dark Lord. What better way to earn the trust of all elves than to rescue their most dedicated general? Rescuing Galadriel would blind even her to his real intentions. Which would make Galdriel’s comment to Halbrand—“Bind yourself to me.”—meaningful in a way she didn’t realize. They’re already bound in hatred, and their fates are intertwined. (All of which would explain why Sauron’s symbol flashed in Galadriel’s eyes when Halbrand mentioned orcs.)

Halbrand in Númenor

Halbrand being Sauron would also make Galadriel’s comment that Halbrand is “more than [he] claim[s]” just as true in a different way. Just as it would make his advice to both her and Pharazôn much more sinister.

In The Rings of Power episode four, Halbrand told Galadriel to “identify what it is that your opponent most fears.” Not to exploit it, but as “a means of mastering it, so that you can master them.” That’s exactly what Sauron will do to Númenor, whose people have grown jealous of the eternal life the Valar grant to the elves.

And his advice Ar-Pharazôn to let Galadriel escape so she can speak to the old king might soon prove one Sauron’s master strokes. That council, given in bad faith for nefarious purposes, might be what divides the people of Númenor, many of whom remain skeptical of elves. All of this will lead to the “great wave” that is coming for the island, which Queen-Regent Míriel sees in her prophetic dreams and through Númenor’s palantír or Seeing Stone.

Sauron and Halbrand Are Both Smiths in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

And as if all of that’s not enough, Halbrand is a great smith, just like Sauron. The Dark Lord, who will soon forge the rings of power, learned from the Valar’s greatest smith. And unlike all other smiths Galadriel has known, Halbrand can also handle a sword like a skilled warrior. Sauron is one of the few smiths who could also fight.

Halbrand and Adar

Halbrand almost kills the orc-father Adar on The Rings of Power. While he claims it’s because Adar and the orcs hurt him deeply, it could also be because he is Sauron, and Adar not only betrayed his commands but tried to kill him. Killing Adar would rid him of a possible foe and continue to convince Galadriel that he is on her side. However, perhaps keeping Adar alive, as he ultimately does, serves an even greater purpose on The Rings of Power, convincing Galadriel that Halbrand is worth of her sympathy, all while having someone to distract from his presence and actions. Interestingly, Adar’s actions on The Rings of Power inadvertently made Halbrand the king of Mordor, a.k.a. Sauron.

Final Verdict: Who Is Sauron on The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?

The Rings of Power scenes will play very differently on rewatch, because The Rings of Power‘s finale revealed to us that Halbrand is, indeed, Sauron. Everything we’ve detailed above is actually as we said. Sauron dealt in truths to manipulate and managed to get all the way into the elven city of Eregion, where he coyly drove Celebrimbor toward the forging of the Rings of Power. After being confronted by Galadriel about his true identity. Halbrand, who we know now is Sauron, flees. We last see Sauron heading to mount doom.

But even if Halbrand was nothing more than a flawed man desperate to survive a world of growing evil and his family’s own heinous acts, the fact we questioned his real identity and motives for so long is what’s really important. As is the fact that the show itself is begging us to think Halbrand is Sauron.

The Coming of Sauron and Identifying Evil

Halbrand’s real identity as Sauron in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power matters. But what matters, even more, is that Sauron’s presence looms over everything and everyone. As The Rings of Power concludes, it’s difficult not to remember Halbrand instead of Sauron. And this reminds us that evil can lurk anywhere. Charlie Vickers notes in an interview with Nerdist:

What’s so unique and amazing about him as a villain is that he has to gain trust and he has to manipulate his way through. It’s different to other villains that have this slightly unhinged quality, whereas maybe there’s elements of that in Sauron, occasionally. But for all we know, in his interactions with people and in gaining their trust, he’s a really nice, sweet, kind guy. And that’s terrifying if you have that and you have him being genuinely open and nice and caring.

It is terrifying. Because if anyone can be the Dark Lord—even an ally who saves you from death—merely identifying the forces of evil will continue to be a great battle on Middle-earth. We will have to wait and see what Halbrand’s Sauron brings us in season two of The Rings of Power.

Jump to: Where Does Halbrand Came From? // What Is the Meaning of Halbrand’s Necklace? // Is Halbrand a Hero or Villain? // What Is Halbrand’s Identity on The Rings of Power? // Finale Verdict on Halbrand and Sauron

Originally published on September 1, 2022.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Who Is Halbrand, THE RINGS OF POWER’s Mysterious Character? appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power‘s seventh episode, “The Eye,” marked the return of the show’s mysterious mystics. The three white-cloaked figures are seeking the Stranger. But who exactly are those evil figures, and what do the three witches in their white cloaks want with the meteorite man on The Rings of Power? The answer to those questions should tell us if Nori’s big friend is truly good or about to put all of Middle-earth in peril.

Who Are The Rings of Power‘s White Cloak Characters?

The three figures who first appeared at the site of the Stranger’s meteorite crash are known as The Ascetic (Kali Kopae), The Nomad (Edith Poor), and The Dweller (Bridie Sisson), the group’s apparent leader. Prime Video refers to them as “mystics,” and their attire certainly contributes to a religious ethos. The figures also seem like they could easily be seen as witches on The Rings of Power. In fact, in an interview, Patrick McKay, one of the showrunners on The Rings of Power, likens the White Cloaks to MacBeth’s trio of witches. He notes, “We’re…thinking about Macbeth, and we’re thinking about the old crones and the three witches and just trying to come up with something strange and weird.”

Thanks to one of the show’s executive producers, we also know where they hail from. Lindsey Weber told Time that The Dweller comes “from far to the east,” specifically the lands of Rhûn, a place seeped in J.R.R. Tolkien’s darkest lore.

What Do We Know About The Rings of Power‘s Three White-Cloaked Witches?

The White Cloaks—silent, ethereal figures—only appeared after the Stranger arrived. Some, like Waldreg, took the meteorite as a sign Sauron himself has returned. The mystics’ items connect them to both figures. They carry a shield bearing the exact same constellation the Stranger is seeking. (In Middle-earth constellations can serve as omens of coming evil.) They also possess a staff that looks remarkably like the Eye of Sauron from Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings film trilogy.

The Rings of Power‘s three white-cloaked witches also managed to track the Stranger’s movements across Middle-earth. After they found his crash site, the Dweller touched the dirt where the Stranger had been. Ultimately that brought them to the tree the Stranger healed at the Harfoots new home. Once the Dweller touched it, the cult knew exactly which direction the bearded man had headed, and Nori’s attempts to lead them astray proved disastrous.

It also seems clear very early into their appearances that the cult of white cloaks is evil. The Stranger used magic to heal the Harfoots’ new land. The Dweller used dark magic to burn the Harfoots carts, leaving the group with little food or refuge.

Are the Cult Members Human Skin-Changers?

Large wolves have been stalking the Harfoots since The Rings of Power‘s first episode. And in episode seven Poppy saw another giant wolf paw print in the mud, not far from where the White Cloaks stood. Then, when Nori confronted the group in a later episode of The Rings of Power, the witches vanished into thin air only to suddenly appear behind her. All of which raises the possibility they are skin-changers, like Beorn from The Hobbit.

Considering Sauron himself is a shape-shifter, it’s possible his most zealous followers would also possess a similar type of ability. Especially ones that are also sorcerers like the White Cloaks seem to be. Not only was The Dweller immune to fire, she blew on the embers in her hand, causing the Harfoots carriages to go up in flames. She is a dangerous fire of immense power. In the finale of The Rings of Power, the white-cloaked cult of Sauron was also able to change their shapes into those of Nori and the Stranger, further highlighting their immense and evil powers.

Sauron also has deep and lasting connections with wolves. The first werewolf was bred from a wolf Morgoth filled it with an evil spirit. Sauron was then the beast’s master, as he was for all other werewolves who followed. One of his werewolves killed Galadriel’s brother Finrod. And, on at least one occasion, Sauron himself transformed into a werewolf. And they will still serve him into the Third Age, long after The Rings of Power.

But while the race of men can be both skin-changers and sorcerers of dark magic, it is possible the White Cloaks are also members of the Maiar like Sauron and Middle-earth’s wizards. Those spirit servants of the Valar are incredibly powerful, and one was Sauron’s loyal vampire servant during the First Age. And The Dweller’s ability to control fire is similar to the Stranger’s own ability.

Are The Rings of Power‘s White Cloaks Priests?

The Rings of Power is an adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Second Age. The show is condensing the timeline by thousands of years and adding its own lore to Middle-earth, so we don’t know what future changes the series will make. But we know in Tolkien’s official history Sauron helps bring about the demise of Númenor by convincing many on the island to worship Morgoth rather than the Valar. And Sauron himself served as the head priest of the cult of Morgoth.

The author also had plans for a story set during Middle-earth’s Fourth Age that would have included The New Shadow Cult, a group of men who worshipped the first Dark Lord.

It’s possible The Rings of Power is pulling from both of these groups to introduce a religious sect that faithfully awaited the return of Sauron, successor to Morgoth.

But whether human or Maiar, priest or soldier, where the White Cloaks come from tells us what role they will play going forward.

Rhûn and the Easterling Men Loyal to Morgoth and Sauron

The Southlands were not the only place where men swore fealty to Morgoth. The Dark Lord’s most loyal men, the Easterlings, came from Rhûn in the east. The Easterlings will still serve Sauron during the Third Age. They will stand against Aragorn when he comes to the Gates of Mordor.

The white-cloaked witches also come from Rhûn, which they seemed to leave only after seeing the Stranger’s meteor crash on Middle-earth. All of which raises the most important question of all: is the white-cloaked cult looking for the Stranger because he is Sauron or because the Stranger is a threat to their master?

Why Are the White Cloaks Looking for the Stranger?

Sauron is coming. He will soon forge all the rings of power and unleash war during Middle-earth’s Second Age. But who is Sauron, and where is he now? It’s maybe the single biggest question on The Rings of Power. In its finals, The Rings of Power revealed to us that Sauron is, in fact, Halbrand. But he wasn’t the only candidate throughout the show. Not when a powerful man arrived in a meteor. And it seemed the cult of witches believed the Stranger to be Sauron, revealing why the White Cloaks searched for him for so long.

But the Stranger—who Nori believes is “good”—proves to be something else, the hooded, white coat cult calls him an Istar or wizard in The Rings of Power‘s finale. And whether he is the Maia Gandalf himself or a different wizard, he’s the single biggest threat to Sauron in all of Middle-earth. The mystics refer to him as “the other,” tying him to Sauron. The Stranger, after all, sought the same constellation as the mystics held. And he had many of the same powers they expected to find, had he been Sauron. In Tolkien’s lore, of course, the Istari come to Middle-earth to aid in the fight against Sauron. But it’s possible the two may yet have a deeper connection.

Is The White-Cloaked Cult of Witches Dead on The Rings of Power?

Once the cult of witches recognizes The Stranger on The Rings of Power, they seem to confirm that the arrival of the Istar is tied to the coming of their own master. Their miscalculation costs them, however. As the Stranger remembers himself and his powers, he annihilates them. But not before they confirm that the true meaning of the Stranger’s constellation. The arrangement of stars, known as the Hermit’s Hat, can only be seen from Rhûn, where the stars are strange. For now, the white-cloaked cult appears to be dead on The Rings of Power.

However, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay hint in an interview that there is more to the story. When asked about the fate of The Rings of Power‘s witches, Payne offers:

There are glimpses into the unseen world where the true form of something is revealed. You’re seeing what is underneath the form that they’ve been presenting. Were they defeated, or were they just temporarily vanquished? I think that’s a story point that people can be thinking about.

Meanwhile, McKay says:

The visual storytelling hopefully suggests that these witches are lesser conjurers than one of the wizards would be, and are bested here, but they escape in another form. Their true appearance in the world of the unseen is hideous and horrible and some kind of magic is making them beautiful… Maybe there’s a slightly different kind of magic and we can peel back the layers in future seasons. 

The Impact of the White Cloak Witches

Sauron’s White Cloaks set the Stranger and Nori off on a new path, though. The pair make for Rhûn as they seek to understand his wizard powers and origins. And now the wizard even has a staff. Ultimately, The Rings of Power doesn’t offer too many specific answers about the cult of Sauron. But though they are gone for now, it seems very possible we haven’t seen the last of these mystics, their hoods, and their witchy white cloaks. After all, where magic and evil is concerned, anything is possible.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Who Is the White-Cloaked Cult of Witches in THE RINGS OF POWER? appeared first on Nerdist.

Sauron had “One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them.” My wife has something similar. Heyo! …Sorry. (Especially to my lovely wife). I didn’t mean to go all hacky ’80s standup on you, but I couldn’t resist. Not after checking out Manly Bands The Lord of the Rings wedding band collection. These nine rings, inspired by different characters from J.R.R. Tolkien’s trilogy, are the perfect way for fans of the story to bind themselves to another. And that’s true whether you’re dwarf, elf, or one of the Mortal Men doomed to a lifetime with a spouse who loves making terrible jokes.

Forget Middle-earth’s rings of power. Manly Bands’ newest wedding bands collection—which takes its place alongside the company’s DC Comics set—is a perfect union. It’s a perfect way for a couple to celebrate both their love for each other and their love of The Lord of the Rings.

And this nine-ring collection has something for everyone (and every price range), no matter which aspect of the story you love most. Yes, that includes if you serve the Dark Lord himself. Here’s each ring in the set along with their official description.

The Frodo ($695.00)

Proving that bravery comes in all (finger) sizes, this ring is made of Moss, Teak Wood and Black Zirconium.

The Aragorn ($695.00)

Leaders of men will stand out of the crowd with this ring made of Desert Ironwood, Sterling Silver, and Balck Zirconium.

The Legolas ($595.00)

For those of refinement and true loyalty, this ring is made of Bow String, Green Ash Wood, and Cobalt Chrome. 

The Gimli ($595.00)

When strength and boldness are required, choose this ring made of Gold Cerakote, Black Zirconium and a Distressed Finish of Runic carvings.

The Gandalf ($395.00)

Ageless compassion and wisdom are traits represented in this ring made of Forged Carbon Fiber, Titanium and an Angled Stone Finish.

The Gollum ($495.00)

Misunderstood and darkly clever, beware of this ring made of Black and Forged Carbon Fiber and Black Zirconium. 

The Ringwraith ($495.00)

Created for the masters of great power and cunning, this ring is made of Damascus Steel and Black Zirconium. 

The Sauron ($795.00)

For those who forge their own destiny, this ring is made with a Red Glow & Lava Rock Inlay, Black Zirconium and Cerakote Sleeve.

The One Ring ($1,595.00)

Only the purest of heart can handle the power of The One Ring, made from 14K Solid Gold.

Not sure “purest of heart” comes to mind when thinking of the One Ring. But who cares, that thing is gorgeous. Precious even. I must have it. (Oh no! It’s working!)

“We couldn’t be more excited to be working with Warner Bros. to create the most setting-accurate wedding ring collection from The Lord of the Rings,” said John Ruggiero, co-Founder of Manly Bands, in a statement. “Now couples can own the rings from their favorite fantasy world – without having to fight a dragon!”

…Okay, but they can still fight a dragon if they want, right? Cause that would make for one memorable wedding. Though I guess using these bands to express their love is cool enough. Just so long as Manly Bands’ One Ring doesn’t work like the original. Marriage should be a partnership, not a dictatorship. Nor an exxcuse to make hacky ’80s jokes,.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. He also loves his wife, who has a great sense of humor. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Celebrate Your Love (and Middle-earth) with LORD OF THE RINGS Wedding Bands appeared first on Nerdist.

Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power finale gave us a couple of major moments and the answer to several season-long mysteries. But it also left us scratching our head in a few key places. On this episode of Nerdist News, Dan Casey looks at the biggest lingering questions we have for future seasons of The Rings of Power, and what Hot Sauron might have in store for Middle-earth.

More Rings of Power News: https://nerdist.com/topic/tolkien/

Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: Prime Video

#NerdistNews #LOTR #TheRingsOfPower #LordoftheRings #Tolkien #PrimeVideo

The post Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power – Our Biggest Finale Questions! (Nerdist News w/Dan Casey) appeared first on Nerdist.

In Middle-earth, group affiliation is key to understanding many characters. We immediately know a Harfoot from a dwarf from an elf. And these labels reflexively offer information about what we might expect from someone new. But, on The Rings of Power, Joseph Mawle’s character Adar defies these expectations, introducing a novel tension into the world. Ultimately, Adar is an elf who is not an elf and an orc that is not an orc (or Uruk as they prefer to be called). But despite himself, he carries the marks and sentiments of both on his shoulders. In this duality, he is also singular, alone without a true group. As Adar continues his journey, his one-of-a-kind nature is unlikely to end well for him, as neither evil nor good truly wishes for his existence. And yet, despite the tragedy of his character, Adar creates a rich narrative that forces us to think again about who we side with and why.

The Rings of Power paints Adar’s introduction as that of a villain. Perhaps we were meant to wonder if he was Sauron for a time. Or, as that seemed less true, shift to assume Adar’s allegiance lay with the dark lord; that he and the orcs were acting out their master’s plans. But one by one, these assumptions became more complex and dissipated.

Although it is clear Adar has no real concern for the other inhabitants of Middle-earth and never hesitates to capture or kill them for his aims, Adar’s mission is not simply to do evil. Nor does he share the hunger of his one-time commanders, but also captors, to conquer Middle-earth and bend it to his whims. Adar speaks of Sauron’s plans to “heal Middle-earth” sardonically at best. And with exhaustion, he tells Galadriel that though Sauron bid the orcs to follow him blindly, “for my part, I sacrificed enough of my children for his aspirations. I split him open. I killed Sauron.”

In The Silmarillion, Tolkien speaks of elves like Adar who Morgoth transformed into the first orcs. He offers, “All those of the Quendi who came into the hands of Melkor, ere Utumno was broken, were put there in prison, and by slow arts of cruelty were corrupted and enslaved… And deep in their dark hearts the Orcs loathed the Master whom they served in fear, the maker only of their misery.” Although The Rings of Power does not explicitly address this, it feels clear that Adar was something of a prize for Morgoth, a dark victory over the elves and the Ilúvatar. Once the elves defeated Morgoth and Sauron rose instead, Adar was, it seems, passed from one evil lord to another. But Adar himself feels beholden to neither evil cause. And instead sees both as merely the “maker[s] of [his] misery.”

For Adar, it would have been easier to wholly embrace evil. In his rebellion against Sauron, he made a powerful enemy. One that is now furious with him. Charlie Vickers, who plays The Rings of Power‘s Sauron, discusses the scene in which Sauron as Halbrand almost kills Adar, saying “[Adar and Sauron] have a really complex relationship, and there is a lot of hatred and mixed feelings between them. And I think that’s an example of Sauron within Halbrand being a bad guy and his ruthless streak of just like, if I don’t like someone or have a problem, I’m going to end you.”

Vickers framing Sauron’s desire to kill Adar as an indication of Sauron’s evil is an especially powerful argument that Adar is something other than that. In the finale of The Rings of Power, we see Sauron heading for Mount Doom, which Adar has created. But we have a feeling they will not have a pleasant reunion. In a sense, it seems “the enemy of my enemy is my friend” could apply here. But not if Galadriel has anything to say about it.

Interestingly, Galadriel immediately knows who Adar is when she meets him. And yet, in her blind rage against Sauron, she is pitiless toward her elven brother and his ages of pain. She calls Adar “tortured,” “twisted,” “ruined,” and “a mockery.” The terms have truth and yet lack all compassion. Galadriel, the assumed force of good, reveals herself as the crueler of the two in this exchange. Adar speaks of his children, albeit violent and designed for evil, with great love. And Galadriel promises to kill them all before his eyes as she torments him with prolonged existence, threatens to burn them in the sun. In fascinating parallels, Arondir almost sacrificed his love, Bronwyn, to stop the spread of evil. And there is little Galadriel would not put onto the pyre of ending Sauron. Yet, Adar relents immediately at the threat to his orcs. 

Adar even reveals to Galadriel that he slew Sauron, or at least tried to, her greatest wish in life. And yet, in her eyes, Adar is too tainted to countenance as anything but a monster. The elves may consider the twisting of their kind as a truly vile deed but seem less concerned about the tormented themselves. And, from a perspective external to the story, if Adar’s evil-as-a-consequence-of-aims count as evil, perhaps his good for the same ought to count as good.

After all, he nearly prevented Sauron from rising again in Middle-earth. If nothing else, Adar certainly delayed Sauron’s return, whereas Galadriel lifted the dark lord to new heights. Not to mention, without Adar’s words to her, Galadriel would never have known Halbrand was Sauron on The Rings of Power. And the dark lord may already have possessed the Rings of Power. Another inadvertent gift to the powers of light.

For Galadriel, Adar is an uncomplicated orc, and an orc is a slave of evil with no further nuance. And Adar might even wish to agree with that sentiment. But as the story reveals, there is far too much elf, and far too much heart, still in Adar for that to be true. Before the battle with the Southlanders, we see Adar perform the seed-planting protection ritual that Arondir later explains. He plants new life in defiance of death and asks the Valar to protect those he loves, offering the earth something growing in exchange for its blessing. Despite himself, the elven parts remain.

It is also no coincidence that Adar can stand in the sun, something that could not be were he entirely altered. Light has traditionally represented goodness. And Adar specifically notes that he will miss the sun when it is gone on The Rings of Power, alluding to a part of himself that will vanish with the ash of Mount Doom. But frankly, that sounds like wishful thinking. The idea that he seeks the sun at all separates him from the rest of his family.

Beyond all of this, like everything about Adar, his journey is a noble one, corrupted. Ultimately, Adar’s story in season one of The Rings of Power boils down to his search for a home. He seeks a home for his Uruk children, who he believes deserve freedom and safety, and a home for himself, who has no other. It’s sweet, in its way. Adar asks Arondir, “Where were you born?” in their meeting. And in many ways, that translates to “Where is your home?” Arondir tells him, Beleriand. And Adar replies wistfully, thinking of the sage blossoms that grew along the rivers of the place.

Of course, Beleriand was destroyed for them both by Morgoth. But any elven land would welcome Arondir home, places Adar knows he cannot return. In The Silmarillion, Tolkien notes, in an echo of Galadriel’s revealed sentiments. He says, “The Noldor feared most the treachery of those of their own kin, who had been thralls in Angband… Therefore if any of his captives escaped in truth, and returned to their own people, they had little welcome, and wandered alone outlawed and desperate.” For Adar, though he will never be fully an orc, there is only Mount Doom.

It’s unclear what Adar envisioned beyond creating a dark place where the Uruk could move in daylight. Would they seek battle? Would they wish to extend their rule? Under Adar, the orcs mourn one another and seek agency. He makes a point to say that he is not the orcs’ master, that they have no master. In his rallying speech before battle, Adar speaks of what they have all endured and the pains they have gone through to search for a home. It leads us to wonder if the Uruk really seek… peace. But with the coming of Sauron, it seems we may never know.

So where does that leave Adar, an elf that believes orcs have hearts and names, an orc that plants seeds in the grounds and thinks of the sun, going into season two of The Rings of Power? Nowhere good. Sauron will likely not take kindly to Adar’s attempts on his life. Meanwhile, Galadriel has made it clear she deems Adar the enemy. Obviously, the exploding of Mount Doom did not make allies. Still, perhaps somewhere in their conversation, the mirror that Adar held to Galadriel’s face and the mistakes she herself made will awaken empathy.

Arondir, too, seemed to seek a connection with Adar during their time together. Arondir’s actor Ismael Cruz Córdova noted recently that in the scene between them, there’s a feeling of “We came from the same origin, why are we fighting each other?” Although it’s unclear how annihilating the Southlands impacts that. All of this will, of course, depend on Adar himself. And whether he can navigate his dual nature, or whether being the sole Moriondor will leave him, ultimately, a target of both good and evil; a fallen angel with no home or place to claim.

Whatever his fate may be, Adar’s presence on The Rings of Power offers a complicated meditation on how good and evil can tangle in one character. One that we hopefully see expand as the show continues to unroll.

Originally published on October 19, 2022.

The post The Tragic Singularity of Adar on THE RINGS OF POWER appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power‘s season one finale revealed Charlie Vickers’ Halbrand is no man of the Southlands. He’s not even a man. He’s the infamous Maia Dark Lord himself, Sauron. What’s it like to play such a legendary character? How did the works of J.R.R. Tolkien impact his performance? And how does it feel learning people find your evil character so alluring? We asked Vickers about all of that and more when we got to talk to him about playing The Lord of the Ring’s “Hot Sauron.”

Nerdist: It’s only been a few days since everyone learned you’re playing one of the most iconic villains of all time. So I have to ask, without being humble, what’s more exciting for you on a personal level: getting to play the infamous Dark Lord, or everyone referring to you as Hot Sauron?

Charlie Vickers: [Laughs] For me, getting to play the Dark Lord. The Hot Sauron thing is funny because it’s all… I can only attribute it to the amazing work of the makeup and costume department. They do a lot. They spend a lot of time in the morning turning me from just a regular dude into this figure who is Halbrand and now Sauron. But yeah, just playing the character is the most exciting thing.

But it’s not bad being known as Hot Sauron, right? It’s not the worst thing in the world?

Vickers: It’s cool. It’s cool. Although, it’s only when I’m in the costume and makeup that people call me Hot Sauron. Definitely not while walking down the street here in London.

You said when you found out who you were playing, you went back and reread a lot of Tolkien’s writings about Sauron. When you did that, what stood out to you about the character that maybe you hadn’t noticed before?

Vickers: I mean, a lot. To be honest, I was only a casual Lord of the Rings fan before I was cast in this show. So I didn’t know much about the world beyond the films. I knew Sauron as the giant eye from the Peter Jackson films. And it wasn’t until I was cast, and I realized I might be playing this character before it was officially confirmed, that I started to read The Silmarillion and learn about [Sauron’s] history. And his history, the way he’s described physically, I didn’t realize he was walking around in a fair form for such a long time. Or his influence and manipulation of people.

But the thing that I’ve gleaned from my deep research is the contradictions and intricacies in Tolkien’s description of him. Also things in [Tolkien’s] letters and in Morgoth’s Ring about him really desiring perfection and order and rehabilitation. As well as this idea of his repentance, which Tolkien never really specifies. That’s great, that he leaves it ambiguous about whether he’s genuinely repentant or not. These are all interesting things I learned over the couple of years we’ve been doing this.

I tracked all of the clues that you were secretly Sauron from your first appearance. But I was absolutely convinced of your identity after your scene in jail with Pharazôn. What was your motivation and endgame in advising him to let Galadriel go speak to the king?

Vickers: That’s a great question. I think in letting her go speak to the king it’s his way out of that predicament. That’s an interesting thing about Sauron’s journey in season one, if he is scheming and manipulating his way through Númenor.

And things don’t go to plan. You see moments like when he gets into that fight because he’s pushed too far. You see an element of him where he’s been brought low, and he’s rebuilding his power, but he still loses control. He’s been associated with Morgoth, who is the king of losing control and destroying shit. Some of that must have rubbed off on Sauron.

So in getting out of prison, he basically says to Pharazôn, “I can see where she’s going if you let me out and give me a guild badge so I can take up my work as a smith.” Whether that’s all part of a greater scheme to really convince Galadriel he wants to stay in Numenor and have a cover for him to come to Middle-earth, further convincing this elaborate creation that is Halbrand, then I like to leave that ambiguous.

Considering what we know about Sauron’s future in Númenor—and I realize the show might change it, but there’s history there—did that impact how you played that scene at all? Or did you just come to it from its own place?

Vickers: I think a bit of both. I came to it from its own place there. But in any interaction with Pharazôn there was certainly a feeling between Trystan [Gravelle] and I that—I don’t know from what point Trystan knew [about Halbrand’s real identity]—we both were doing it with huge anticipation of what is to come between of our characters. Hopefully to come.

Again, I don’t know where the story is going. But I think it’s very likely that that part of that story will be in our show. There is certainly… it’s interesting you’ve pinpointed that because it’s the first seeds of what will end up being a really strong relationship at some point. It’s the first little taster the show runners and writers have put in there. Which is really smart, to just plant this notion that there is going to be some manipulation from Sauron to Pharazôn. It’s a nice little building block.

Was that you in the armor when we saw Sauron in a flashback during the First Age?

Vickers: It wasn’t me. I didn’t even know that was going to be in the show. So I was excited. I was pumped when I saw that. But no, it wasn’t me. I don’t know if they had someone in it or if it’s a CGI composition.

I take it you are looking forward to wearing the armor.

Vickers: I mean, if it gets to that, yeah, it’d be awesome. It doesn’t look very comfortable, though. But it’d be very cool to suit up in that.

I can’t even begin to imagine what it’s like to get a role like this. But is there a part of you that thinks, “I’m playing one of the most legendary villains of all time in a beloved franchise. What the hell did I get myself into?”

Vickers: [Laughs] Yeah, those thoughts come to me occasionally. But they’re outweighed by the honor and responsibility of doing this. I know how many people care so much about the show, and we’ve never seen Sauron in this form before. We’ve never seen him really portrayed in this way. So I feel that weight of responsibility and expectation.

I can’t control anyone’s expectations, so I try to just not worry about them. But having said that, I mean, I’m just trying to bring my own take on the character from all the work that I’ve done. And I’m trying to take as much care as I possibly can in creating it, in the first season and as we move into this next stage of Sauron in the Second Age. It’s definitely a lot more exciting than daunting for me.

You’ve talked about how much you like the ambiguity of Sauron’s sincerity. But we did see the full range of the character in season one. We saw him being manipulative, charming, powerful, and evil. What aspect of Sauron is the most fun for you to play?

Vickers: Of all those things it’s the manipulation and the deception. What’s so unique and amazing about him as a villain is that he has to gain trust and he has to manipulate his way through. It’s different to other villains that have this slightly unhinged quality, whereas maybe there’s elements of that in Sauron, occasionally. But for all we know, in his interactions with people and in gaining their trust, he’s a really nice, sweet, kind guy. And that’s terrifying if you have that and you have him being genuinely open and nice and caring.

You see this in his relationship with Celebrimbor in the Second Age. He gains his trust so wholeheartedly and they have such a close, intimate relationship. And then it all just comes crumbling down when [Sauron’s] true intentions come out. When you’re watching as an audience member and we’re seeing him being kind and nice, if you know his true intentions, it makes it really scary underneath. I think the key to that is not playing the overt evilness at this stage.

And of course Tolkien talks about how we should always think that Sauron is very terrible. And he is. But there comes a time for the outward expression of that.

There are a lot of viewers who wanted Galadriel to accept Sauron’s offer, despite what he did in the past and what they know he’ll do in the future. Has that reaction surprised you, considering who you’re playing?

Vickers: I have been surprised by that. A few people have said that to me. But I think it’s great. Whatever our intentions were as performers, in creating this relationship, we don’t have ownership of how people interpret it. So it’s awesome for people to interpret it as a romantic thing, or however it might be interpreted.

It was slightly surprising to me, as it seems to go against what my thoughts were when we were doing it, but I think it’s cool. I think it’s really cool.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post THE RINGS OF POWER’s Charlie Vickers on Playing Hot Sauron appeared first on Nerdist.

From the moment his meteor crashed into Middle-earth we suspected Daniel Weyman’s Stranger might actually be a wizard. But not only did The Rings of Power not confirm his real identity until the show’s season one finale, Weyman himself didn’t know until he read the episode’s script. That might sound frustrating. But according to him, not knowing helped his performance. That was just one of the things we discussed with The Lord of the Rings‘ newest Istar when we talked to him about his character’s big reveal. He also told us about his own Stranger theories while filming, not letting any wizards’ future in Middle-earth influence his performance in the present, and what it was like learning he’s now in a special group of cultural icons.

Nerdist: You’ve said you didn’t know who you were playing until you read the last script of the season. But, like us, you must have had your own theories about your character while filming the show. So who, or what, did you think you were playing before the finale?

Daniel Weyman: That’s a really good question, isn’t it? I think the first time it became apparent for me was around the idea of speaking to the fireflies. That scene, when the Stranger attracts the fireflies, was with a script where he began to mutter. I was trying to work out what he was muttering and had a really good conversation with the show runners [J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay]. I was keen to find out what they thought. They were keen to make sure that the audience didn’t learn ahead of what they wanted them to learn. But it also it needed to be playable.

What they came up with was a really great bit of advice for me that when viewers are watching this they’re going to see a being that has come shot through the air and landed in this fiery crater. So, the chances are they cannot be human, dwarf, harfoot, Númenórean, or elf. Once you’ve exhausted all of those things, there are only a few things he could be. And once you’re into that bracket, he is one of the Maia.

Then, of course, you’re on this really exciting journey of, “Well, there are a certain number of named canon Maia.” And they have really different characteristics, from the most very dark to the most very light, if you look at it on that spectrum. And that includes Sauron, Balrogs, right through the other end of Istari when they come on the scene.

So then for me the question was, “Well, do I need to know which of those many possibilities I am?” And I took the decision quite early on that I didn’t need to know exactly which it was. What I needed to do was to play the scenes in front of me. Because I had certain connections with other cast and their characters, I felt if I could try to be honest and truthful and authentic with how I was interpreting the character, and how the character would feel in these situations, then it would all take care of itself. And so that’s really what I did.

That was why I actually think it was good for me to not get ahead of myself. It meant I didn’t feel I projected—hopefully other people won’t feel I projected—something like, “Look at me! I’m going to turn into this character.” Rather they could watch this character developing truthfully on its own.

You’ve talked about staying in the present. But there’s a lot of evidence you are playing an early version of Gandalf. So how do you avoid letting what you think might be true influence your performance going forward?

Weyman: I’ve played a few characters in the past where I played an earlier version of somebody who became quite well known. And in that case as well you have to become quite rigorous with the idea of not getting ahead of yourself with looking at what are the key facts, what time are you in.

And I suppose the way I approached the Stranger was looking at each of the scenes and saying, “Where has the Stranger come from? What’s he picked up so far up to this point?” Then, in the scene, “What’s happening? What does he want to achieve in this scene? What are the obstacles that he’s got to overcome and what happens if he doesn’t overcome those obstacles? Why has he got to do it now? What’s important about the present now?” And once I’ve answered those questions, that, for me tends to box my imagination in sufficiently so that I haven’t got little pressure cooker leaks of, “Yeah, but who are you going to become?” So, actually it wasn’t a problem for me to do that.

And also I was working with great other actors who are really, really uber-talented. The way that they were bringing their own storyline, their own needs as characters and group storylines to the table, meant that in order to work properly with them I had to listen really actively. And in doing that, again, you take away from the future living, which I think could have been a problem.

I think that all makes sense. But I also think it’s probably easier to say than necessarily do considering the season ends with the Stranger going out on a dangerous adventure with one of Middle-earth’s small folk. So, now knowing who you’re playing and seeing what you’re about to do, is there any inclination let the potential future of your character crawl into your head and maybe influence you in any way?

Weyman: It’s funny, isn’t it? I feel like the way that Jamie (JD) and Patrick work they are so hugely inspirational. The way they infect you with their energy and enthusiasm and desire and knowledge and love for the lore, they have this universal energy that bounds bigger than just the room or country that you’re standing in. And when I talk to them, I feel like I am being held in this really secure place so that I can experiment and perform.

We’ve really been on this journey for three years since the first audition. I now feel at such a point where it’s not like I’m only just learning about what’s come through. I’ve been on this big journey with them for a long time. And I feel aptly secure in the way that they’re going to bring the story to me. So, I think it won’t be a problem.

I think also that kind of future thinking feeds into a way that actually makes me more self-conscious as an actor. The way that I feel I work best—and by best work I suppose I mean feeling un-self-conscious in front of the camera, feeling like I’m being as honest as I can and authentic as I can with the script—that’s through doing things internally that then come out. And I think the future thing often makes me feel like I’m putting something external inside. And that is not as comfortable a fit for me. So, it’s about the way I work.

You’ve talked about the Stranger and your time on the show in a few different interviews now, but what’s an important aspect of the character or your performance that you haven’t been asked about yet that you would like to share?

Weyman: One of the things that resonated most strongly for me in New Zealand was connection to land. The Stranger was barefoot for the whole of the season. And on location in the mainland, these incredible forestry countryside locations, in fairly wild countryside by that, I felt as an actor I was getting an extra layer of character from my own interaction with the land.

I don’t know quite how that sounds to you. But it was something different to maybe anything I’ve ever worked on in theater or in contemporary TV. To actually be doing this fantastical piece and to be connected so strongly to the earth, and by the earth I mean the soil there but also sand, water, and the elements in the natural elements, that felt like it was giving me a layer of extra complexity to my work that I maybe haven’t been able to tap into before. Hopefully that comes across.

I’ve asked you a lot about the process of developing your character and playing the role. But you’re now officially a wizard of Middle-earth, a truly iconic cultural figure. What was it like on a personal level learning that you’re now in a group that includes Ian McKellen and Christopher Lee?

Weyman: [Laughs] That is… yeah, mind-blowing. Absolutely mind-blowing. Obviously I know their work pretty well. So it’s one of those pinch yourself moments of going, “Can this really be happening?” And it takes me back to my first audition for this thing that it was for The Lord of the Rings. It was that moment of going, “Come on, this is… come on, this is surely way too much to hope for this to happen.”

And so when I then get to be in that realm with other people who have played these characters, I don’t think I can quite say I’m in their league because there’s a lot of work that needs to be done before that. The reason that they’re so venerated is because they’ve done a massive amount of seriously good work.

There’s a tantalizing idea that I could be on a journey in terms of the work that I might get a chance to do. But I think I’ve just got to go back to doing the work because they are hugely skillful and massively talented people and I look up to them incredibly, incredibly fondly and, well, they’re heroes, aren’t they? They’re just everybody’s acting or character heroes.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post THE RINGS OF POWER’s Daniel Weyman on Being Middle-earth’s Newest Wizard appeared first on Nerdist.

“Speak, friend, and enter…” Many The Lord of the Rings fans know the riddle that barred the Fellowship of the Ring from entering the Mines of Moria (a.k.a Khazad-dûm) and nearly cost them deeply. But in the end, the elven word for friendship opened the dwarven gates. Although clever, the Doors of Durin’s riddle feels mostly like a fun aside, as a way to note the long and complex relationship between dwarves and elves. But, based on The Rings of Power season one, the Doors of Durin may recontextualize the meaning of the word “friend.” And the gate could receive a more personal origin story. After all, the Doors of Durin originated in Middle-earth’s Second Age, just the right time for an appearance on The Rings of Power. And in this Tolkien rendition, the friendship between Durin IV and Elrond lives at the story’s heart.

The Lord of the Rings History of the Doors of Durin

All the important set pieces have come together for The Rings of Power‘s Doors of Durin to be built. Of course, the original story Khazad-dûm’s gate will need slight adjustments. But the landmark will take on even greater meaning for it.

In Tolkien’s lore, the Doors of Durin were built during the Second Age of Middle-earth. They appear to have been created under the rule of Durin III. Durin III, of course, has played a prominent role so far on The Rings of Power. Tolkien noted that the elves and dwarves had especially warm relationships during this period. And the elven realm of smiths, Eregion, especially collaborated with the dwarven stronghold of Khazad-dûm. Together they traded knowledge, materials, and more.

The Doors of Durin, also known as the Elven Door, were built to further enhance this relationship. This westernmost entrance into the dwarven realm allowed greater contact with Eregion. And it gave easier access for the elves to visit Khazad-dûm. The great elven craftsmen, Celebrimbor, who has now forged some of the Rings of Power on the Amazon series, and the skilled dwarf Narvi, collaborated to build the Doors of Durin. Notably, two elven trees decorate the gates. And ithildin, a specific type of mithril that only a few elves know how to forge, makes up the gate’s design.

The Dwarven Rings of Power May Reunite Elrond and Durin

In Tolkien’s lore, the Doors of Durin arose before the height of Sauron’s aggressions and the forging of the rings. But on The Rings of Power, the timeline will shift. Still, we can see all the elements in place for the doors to come to life.

Throughout season one of The Rings of Power, Elrond and Durin’s friendship served as the true emotional heart of the show. Despite ambitions, group-allegiances, the elvish disregard for the passing of time, and all the usual things that might separate a dwarf and an elf, they stuck together. Durin and Elrond proved to be a very elvish dwarf and a very dwarven elf. Although they began The Rings of Power estranged, their loyalty and love for one another flourished. Durin even willingly disregarded his father and King’s wishes to save the elves’, but really Elrond’s life by mining mithril.

Unfortunately, trouble is on the horizon for our favorite friends on macro and micro levels. The little bit of mithril Durin gifted to Elrond might have given the elves a new lease on life, but it also paved the way for the forging of the Rings of Power. Galadriel notes to Celebrimbor and Elrond that the power of the rings should remain for elves and elves alone. But the camera pans to Elrond in a way that makes it seem likely he won’t cleave to this edict.

After all, it was Durin who made the rings possible. And we already suspect Elrond’s sense of loyalty to his friend will likely drive him to share the secrets of the mithril alloy, the rings, and the new power forged with the help of darkness. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Appendix A even notes the elves gave the dwarves their rings.

Tolkien writes:

It was believed by the Dwarves of Durin’s Folk to be the first of the Seven that was forged; and they say that it was given to the King of Khazad-dûm, Durin III, by the Elven-smiths themselves and not by Sauron, though doubtless his evil power was on it, since he had aided in the forging of all the Seven.

Perhaps the power promised by the rings will finally be enough to sway the stubborn mind of Durin III. Or perhaps, as somewhat implied by The Rings of Power‘s finale, Durin will make a move to seize power from his father. Either way, both sides seem incentivized to participate in this arrangement. The elves, of course, still may seek mithril, and the dwarves will likely hope to harness a new force.

Durin and Elrond’s Friendship and the Doors of Durin

To forge a Ring of Power takes both elven metal and dwarven mithril. And, no doubt, it takes a Durin and an Elrond to make a relationship work between elves and dwarves. The Rings of Power‘s arrangement will not exist as the carefree flow of ideas that lived in Tolkien’s lore. Instead, it will likely unroll more as a specific collaboration to forge the remaining Rings of Power. But in order to collaborate, one needs to open a door.

The dwarves and the elves may matter more widely. But the door to Khazad-dûm that Durin opens is one specifically for his friend. When we look at the Doors of Durin through the eyes of The Rings of Power, we can see how the show has laid the necessary foundations for the gate. We begin the season with Elrond seeking entrance to Khazad-dûm at a dwarven door. But, at first, Durin turns him away. This makes Durin and Elrond later building a gate together into an appropriately satisfying full circle.

The show then offers us the beautiful story of Elrond gifting Durin an elven tree like the one that grows in Lindon. Durin, of course, stubbornly grew the tree in the dimness of Khazad-dûm. And soon, it will sprout into the Doors’ design. The doors will then open to help save the twin of Durin’s tree, tying everything together. Additionally, we’ve already seen Elrond learn that dwarven doors can open to a riddle or song. And this highlights how he may offer the clever suggestion to embed the key in the door’s inscription. The riddle does have Elrond written all over it. More subtly, the riddle of the Doors of Durin is written in Sindarin elvish, not the Quenya of the high elves. And Elrond, as it happens, is a Sindarin name. A name that means, “Elf of the cave.”

It’s likely that opening the Doors of Durin on The Rings of Power will lead to doom in season two. Be it doom from the Balrog, the rings, or other perils. And yet, if the show infuses the long-existing gate with this new meaning, it will allow Elrond and Durin’s friendship to extend beyond any hardships. And even a full age later, Durin will still open his doors to the sound of Elrond’s elven friendship.

The post The Doors of Durin May Spring From Elrond and Durin’s Friendship on THE RINGS OF POWER appeared first on Nerdist.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power takes us into the heart of Middle-earth’s Second Age. It’s a very different time than we’ve seen portrayed in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movie trilogies. Some of the races of Middle-earth that existed during The Lord of the Rings don’t exist yet in The Rings of Power. And some races that do exist in Middle-earth during this new series, don’t make it into the next age or evolve into a different kind of people altogether. To help everyone keep their elves from their Ents, and their Harfoots from their Hobbits, here are all the races we’ve met so far in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Races; Jump to: Elves // Dwarves // Harfoots // Orcs or Uruk // Númenóreans // Ents // Wizards // Mystics

The Lord of the Rings‘ Race of Elves

If you’re aware of The Lord of the Rings franchise, you’ll probably know its iconic elves. But in The Rings of Power, Middle-earth’s elves have a whole new lease on life. The Lord of the Rings‘ movies saw the time of the elves drawing to a close. But The Rings of Power reveals the elves at the height of their power in Middle-earth.

In any age, Middle-earth’s elves are an immortal race. Fair and wise, they shine with an inner grace and light. Among the speaking races of Middle-earth, they are the oldest to inhabit Arda, a.k.a Earth. The elves seem to have invented poetry and music. In Tolkien’s lore, the full history of the elves is a complicated one. But The Rings of Power‘s prologue sets us up with all the story we’ll to understand this race.

The History of Elves

Galadriel walks us through the elven history lesson we need. At first, she shares in Rings of Power‘s introduction, the race of elves lived in bliss in their homeland Valinor, a.k.a the Undying Lands. But where there is light, a shadow always looms. And eventually, an evil Satan-like figure named Morgoth brought war to the elves. The fight against the darkness led the elves out of Valinor and took them to Middle-earth. Though some elves returned to Valinor after Morgoth’s defeat, others stayed to ensure the evil would not return and to hunt Morgoth’s apprentice Sauron. Others still remained to grow and build anew in Middle-earth. And the elves certainly flourished.

The Powers and Abilities of the Race of Elves 

In The Lord of the Rings’ world, elves appear to have the gift of telepathy or Ósanwe, literally the “interchange of thought.” Their powers are stronger than those humans possess but weaker than that of the Ainur or the godly spirits of Middle-earth. Still, according to Tolkien’s lore, the power of telepathy can become enhanced by several factors, including the relationship between people or the urgency of the matter at hand. Some elves also have the power of foresight or prophecy. This ability to see into the future manifests in varying degrees across the race. We will have to wait and see how this manifests in the series.

On The Rings of Power, we also see the elves enhanced senses of a more mundane kind such as preternatural seeing and hearing. We see Elrond employ these to spy on Durin and Disa. He also tells High King Gil-galad that the elves we meet refer to the idea of “sight.” Elrond also tells High King Gil-galad that Galadriel “has passed beyond [his] sight” as he watches her sail into Valinor from afar.

The Rings of Power‘s Elves

In The Lord of the Rings‘ movies, we mostly see the elves as a series of ethereal figures, the remnants of elven royalty. They seem somber and formal with one foot in a world the rest can’t understand. But in The Rings of Power, we have already met High Elves like King Gil-galad, ambitious upstarts like Elrond, elven generals and soldiers like Galadriel and Arondir, and craftsmen like Celebrimbor. With the elven cities of Lindon and Eregion acting as major settings for this Lord of the Rings series, we’re sure to get to know elves of all kinds on a much deeper level.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Races; Jump to: Elves // Dwarves // Harfoots // Orcs or Uruk // Númenóreans // Ents // Mystics

The Lord of the Rings‘ Race of Dwarves

Like elves, we have met dwarves before in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit movies. And like elves, the dwarves were shades of the race we see in The Rings of Power. In The Hobbit, Thorin Oakenshield and his company are part of a scattered kingdom. And in The Lord of the Rings, the ruined remains of the dwarven stronghold at Khazad-dûm feature prominently. But in the Second Age, Middle-earth’s dwarves are just getting started.

When it comes to the races that inhabit The Lord of the Rings‘ world, dwarves have a pride and stubbornness to rival the elves’ own. In fact, in The Silmarillion, we learn that dwarves went largely unaffected by the Rings of Power and their evil. The hard-headedness of this Lord of the Rings race kept external forces from controlling them. But the rings did enflame their greed and anger.

The Rings of Power‘s Dwarves

A mountain-dwelling folk, the dwarves involve themselves in the business of mining and gold. And, of course, love all precious metals, gems, and minerals. This includes the precious dwarven Mithril. Mithril is a rare metal, both light and hard, that gleams but doesn’t tarnish. And we feel like we’re about to see the dwarven race discover it in The Rings of Power. We’ll certainly see the dwarven practice of resonating stone, or singing to it so it will reveal its secrets, come to life at some point. Additionally, as a race, the dwarves are masters of weapon-making and smithing, something we see The Rings of Power‘s elves are keen to learn more about.

In The Rings of Power, we also get to see the city of Khazad-dûm flourish, impressing even the elf Elrond. There we meet Prince Durin IV, whom Elrond has a friendship with, and his wife, Princess Disa. Although traditionally, relations between the races of elves and dwarves are strained, in The Rings of Power‘s Second Age, the two races have what Tolkien refers to in The Silmarillion as “a friendship… such as has never elsewhere been, to the enrichment of both those peoples. ” We look forward to seeing that come to pass.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Races; Jump to: Elves // Dwarves // Harfoots // Orcs or Uruk // Númenóreans // Ents // Mystics

Harfoots

In The Rings of Power, we are introduced to a delightful race of people called Harfoots. While Harfoots share a resemblance to The Lord of the Rings‘ Hobbits, they are not the same. In Tolkien’s writings, it seems like Harfoots were a type of Hobbit. However, in The Rings of Power, the race of Harfoots are actually deemed the ancestors of Hobbits. Both Middle-earth races share a love of food, comfort, and nature. And both Hobbits and Harfoots lack a desire to meddle in the business of the greater world. But Harfoots are a nomadic people and do not yet live in developments like the Shire. Instead, their “paths are set by the passing seasons.”

We learn that Harfoots migrate yearly, they “winter in Old Forest, mid-summer, [they] make for Norfoot Glen to snail while the snailing is good, and at the first brush of the oak leaves, they head to the grove.” The Ringsof Power’s Harfoots are a people on the move.

The race of Harfoots we see in The Rings of Power also seems a bit more superstitious and more invested in reading the signs of nature than Hobbits. We see their leader, Sadoc Burrows, referencing a mysterious book of writings that reveals to him disturbances and omens in the stars and natural surroundings.

Additionally, although they seem like a unified group, Harfoots can be merciless when it comes to the good of the many versus the good of the few. During their migrations, anyone who falls behind or impedes progress is left, essentially, for dead. Harfoots also cleave to one way of doing things and do not take kindly to the disruption of their traditional ways.

Harfoots do share a particular brand of large, hairy, bare foot with the Hobbits, though. And we bet that, like Bilbo and Frodo before/after her, Nori Brandyfoot will prove crucial to the story at large.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Races; Jump to: Elves // Dwarves // Harfoots // Orcs or Uruk // Númenóreans // Ents // Mystics

Orcs or Uruk

Orcs are one of the darkest races we’ll see on The Rings of Power. Minons of Morgoth and then Sauron, the orcs have spread throughout Middle-earth during the Second Age. And they seem to be gathering together again as the Lord of the Rings series begins.

Although menacing, a main weakness of orcs is that they cannot be in sunlight for too long as the brightness hurts them. The orcs were created in darkness, both literal and symbolic, and thus light is their enemy.

The first orcs appear to have once been elves whom the evil Morgoth kidnapped and tormented into a twisted, evil form. We meet Adar, their leader, who was once an elf, but is now something completely different. Rings of Power‘s race of orcs are a different sort of orc that we’ve seen depicted on-screen before. Lindsey Weber, a Rings of Power executive producer, shares, “It felt appropriate that their look would be different, part of a wilder, more raw, Second Age, Middle-earth, closer to where the First Age ends. As we meet them, they’re not yet organized into armies, they’re a little more scattered and they’ve been scavenging. So it’s just a different time in their total story.”

The orcs, Weber offers, are still somewhat in their infancy in Rings of Power, not yet as battle-scarred and damaged as previous incarnations. Additionally, unlike previous renditions of The Lord of the Rings movies and media, The Rings of Power offers the orcs, or Uruk, as they prefer to be called, a more sympathetic spin. Through Adar, we come to see them as servents with little say or will, looking for a home. While, obviously, they are still sources of great evil, the orcs’ seem too to have been treated poorly by Morgoth and Sauron. Adar seeks a home, Mount Doom, for them, on The Rings of Power, but it’s not likely these orcs will get to live happily ever after.

The Rings of Power also confirms the existence of female orcs. When addressing his followers, Adar notes they are his “brothers and sisters.” An earlier interview about the show with executive producer Lindsey Weber also discusses this. “There’s some female Orcs that I truly loved,” Weber said. “But there’s one Orc in particular, who’s very, very tall and strong, who has a particularly enjoyable fight with one of our Elven characters that I suspect will be, or hope will be a favorite among fans.” We’re definitely excited to meet these mighty orcs.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Races; Jump to: Elves // Dwarves // Harfoots // Orcs or Uruk // Númenóreans // Ents // Mystics

Númenóreans

In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, we are introduced to the race of people that inhabits the island of Númenór. Though Númenóreans may seem like they belong to the race of man at first glance, there’s more to them than meets the eye.

In Tolkien’s lore, the Middle-earth race of Númenór hailed from the Edain, or Fathers of Man. This group of men assisted the elves against the evil Morgoth during the War of Wrath, which marked the end of the First Age of Middle-earth. Though they were decimated in the war, the survivors of the Edain were given the island of Númenór by the Valar, or gods, for their aid in the war. Thus, the people who settled in the island country became Númenóreans. 

In addition to the gift of Númenór, the race of Númenóreans were blessed by Eönwë, herald of Middle-earth’s chief god Manwë. This blessing enhanced their bodies and their minds. Though they did not become immortal, the blessing significantly extended their life spans and slowed their aging. On average, they lived three times longer than average men. 

Though this facet of the Lord of the Rings race is not a part of The Rings of Power, the people of Númenór were also very tall. Elendil, father of Isildur and ancestor of Aragorn, exceeded a height of seven feet. 

Ents

We get but a brief glimpse of this Lord of the Rings race in The Rings of Power. But that likely means we will see Ents again soon. As a strange comet streaks through the sky, the Ents stop to watch it. We also got to see the Ents in an ad for the show. But who are the Ents?

If you’ve seen The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, you probably remember this Middle-earth race of tree-people. In Tolkien’s lore, the Ents were an ancient race created by Eru at the request of the Valar named Yavanna as a foil to dwarves, who are naturally inclined to chop down trees with their axes. The Ents or Onodrim are “shepherds” of trees and protect forests from evil and harm. Though always sentient, Ents could not always speak, but the elves taught them spoken language. The Ents do not forget this powerful gift. We wonder if the two Middle-earth races will meet on The Rings of Power.

Wizards/Istari

Although it seemed likely from the beginning, now we know that the race of Wizards, or Istari as they are known in Tolkien’s lore, has arrived on The Rings of Power. From the very first episode of the show, the character known as The Stranger has displayed magical powers. Initially, we see The Stranger manipulate energy to lift rocks and soil, and he even sucks fire into himself. The Stranger is also able to control fireflies, moving them with his will, but also inadvertently kills them in the process. After injuring himself sending a blast of power at menacing wolves, The Stranger heals himself using water that he turns into ice. All of this points to his true identity being that of a wizard. 

In The Lord of the Rings’ world, the race of wizards didn’t arrive on Middle-earth until the Third Age. However, it would seem the show has taken some liberties with this timeline. In the lore, Istari were Maiar spirits, primordial beings who helped shape the world. The Istari came to Middle-earth in the form of old men to help aid the fight against Sauron. And thus, they came to be known as Wizards. 

Five Istari came down to Middle-earth in the Third Age. They included two blue wizards, Radagast the Brown, Saruman the White, and, of course, Gandalf the Grey. Although we don’t know for certain, we suspect The Stranger to be Gandalf himself. 

Like The Rings of Power’s Stranger, Tolkein’s race of wizards is gifted with immense power. In a sense, they are immortal because upon death, they are simply incarnated by the Valar, or gods, until their task is completed. In addition, the Istari possess powers such as telekinesis, healing, illusion-making, lightning-summoning, and more. Of course, one of the greatest strengths of The Lord of the Rings’ wizards is their wisdom. 

We can’t wait to understand more about The Rings of Power’s take on wizards and how it fits into the Istari-lore we already have. 

The Cult of Sauron/Shape-Shifters

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power never clarified exactly which Middle-earth race the white-cloaked cult of Sauron belonged to. The trio of powerful characters are not wizards, but they are clearly magic users, ones who can shape-shift and wield flame. We see the members of the cult redirect fire and transform themselves into different forms. Canonically they cult claims the title of “mystics” and hails from the land of Rhûn. It’s possible they are skin or shape changers, similar to The Hobbit‘s Beorn. This would make them human with the ability to change form. However, skin-changers typically transformed into animals, not other beings, and the Cult’s powers seem to transcend beyond simple transformation.

The Stranger or Istar kills the cult, but their death does appear especially bound to forces beyond the natural. Potentially, the cult may return in season two of The Rings of Power. And even if they do not, The Stranger and Nori will likely travel to Rhûn, where we may come to understand more about these mysterious figures.

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Races; Jump to: Elves // Dwarves // Harfoots // Orcs or Uruk // Númenóreans // Ents // Wizards // Mystics

Originally published on September 1, 2022.

The post Every LORD OF THE RINGS Race We’ve Met So Far on RINGS OF POWER appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power‘s season one finale gave us a wizard, Sauron, and three rings for the elves. But the episode also gave us a lot to think about heading into season two. For as much as we learned about “Halbrand” and the Stranger, there’s still so much we don’t know. So in honor of the mortal men doomed to die, here are the nine biggest questions we have ahead of season two of The Rings of Power.

Is the Stranger a Wizard We Already Know?

Just as we thought, the Stranger was really a wizard. How did the White Cloak Cult know he was “the Istar,” though? Are wizards already on Middle-earth? Have they met others before? Or was their a prophecy one would arrive to oppose Sauron? No matter the answer, the even bigger question is which wizard is now wandering the world with Nori? Gandalf? Saruman? Radagast or one of the Blue Wizards of the Second Age? The “big” man still has a big secret with big ramifications.

What Awaits the Stranger and Nori in Rhûn?

Rhûn in the east of Middle-earth is home to some of Morgoth and Sauron’s most dedicated men. These followers of darkness will fight in both the coming wars of the Second and Third Age. So why must the Stranger go there? Is it to try and save some of the men from following Sauron? To meet other wizards? Or is there a reason we don’t yet know about? We don’t know the answers to these questions yet but The Rings of Power will bring peril in the path of the Stranger and Nori in Rhûn next season.

Was Sauron’s Confession to Galadriel Sincere or Sinister?

Halbrand turning out to be Sauron wasn’t surprising. From the moment we met him we had our suspicions about Halbrand’s real identity. But in true Sauron fashion, we’re not sure what part of his story to believe. So, he still leaves us with a lot of questions that needs answers, even though we may not get them in The Rings of Power. Was he sincere in telling Galadriel he wanted her to bind him to the light of the One? Does he really want to atone for his past sins? Or was that all just a ruse to turn his greatest enemy into his greatest ally, assuring his ascent to power? We know what evil future awaits Sauron, and somehow that silver-tongued charmer still has us wondering if he isn’t all bad.

How Will Sauron Get Men and Dwarves to Craft Their Own Rings?

The Rings of the Power condensed three centuries of story into three weeks. That’s all Sauron needed on the show to convince Celebrimbor to craft rings of power for the elves. But now that Halbrand announced his real identity and Galadriel knows his plans, how will the Dark Lord secretly convince dwarves and men to make their own magical jewelry? We know he will, which will lead to the Nazgûl. But the unknown aspects of his master plan will be a significant part of the show’s future.

How Will Pharazôn Usurp Power in Nûmenor?

The King is dead, and the Queen Regent should now take her place as Nûmenor’s rightful and unquestioned heir. But Mīriel, who has a renewed faith in both the Valar and elves, will not be the one who leads the island to its doom. That will be Pharazôn, who will turn his people against the gods. We can guess how he’ll use Númenóreans hatred for elves to take the throne. But J.R.R. Tolkien’s wrote that a captured Sauron pushed Pharazôn to turn on the Valar. How will that work now since the Dark Lord already has a history with Pharazôn? Will Sauron still become a prisoner and then advisor of Nûmenor? Or will the show give us a different version of events leading up to the “great wave?”

Where Is Isildur and How Will He Return to Nûmenor?

Despite what his father Elendil thinks, Isildur is still alive. He has to be, since we all know he’s destined to cut the One Ring from Sauron’s hand. But for now his “death” raises a lot of other questions. How did he survive the eruption of Mount Doom? Who found him in Mordor if anyone? Where did he end up? How will he get back to his country? What friends, if any, does he have on Middle-earth to help him? And how will his time there shape the future that awaits him? For a character we know didn’t die and will play a huge role in the future, there’s a whole lot we don’t know about Isildur right now. But we hope that The Rings of Power will give us more insight and answer some burning questions next season.

Who (Or What) Was Called Out to Isildur From the Sea?

One of The Rings of Power‘s biggest mysteries began before Isildur traveled to Middle-earth. We still don’t know who (or what) is calling out his name from the sea. Is it his mother who drowned? One of the gods of Valinor? Some other supernatural force? Or is it all in his mind? Isildur is one of the most important figures in all of Tolkien lose, for both good and bad, and the show is only making him more compelling by raising all these questions about his early life.

What Did Eärien See in Nûmenor’s Palantir?

Elendil’s daughter Eärien was there when Nûmenor’s King died. In his final moments he thought he was speaking with his daughter Míriel, but it was Eärien he sent to look into Nûmenor’s palantir. What did she see there? The great wave and destruction of the island? Something else? It must have been important if the King wanted his daughter to see it, so what was it? Eärien was desperate to stop the expedition to Middle-earth before. How will her gaze into the palantir change or reinforce her beliefs going forward? Will she now stay loyal to her family and the Valar? Or did that black round stone set her on a path opposing them?

What Awaits the Survivors in the Southlands?

Arondir, Bronwyn, Theo, and the survivors from the Southlands didn’t appear in The Rings of Power‘s season one finale, but their fate could change Middle-earth forever. They seemed to be heading west after the creation of Mordor. Are they destined to become people of Gondor and Arnor? Turn back down a dark path towards Sauron like some of their kin did? Or do they have a different future entirely? There’s so much we don’t know. But whatever awaits them, in whatever direction they go, they’re sure to find danger in a world where evil is spreading everywhere.

As for us, we hope to find answers to all these questions and more in season two of The Rings of Power.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post THE RINGS OF POWER’s Season 1 Finale Left Us With These Burning Questions appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power finale is here and along with it we got answers to our most burning questions of the season! From Secret Sauron to the titular Rings of Power to what to expect from season 2, Matt Caron has you covered in this breakdown of the finale’s biggest revelations.

More Rings of Power News: https://nerdist.com/topic/tolkien/
Watch more Nerdist News: http://bit.ly/1qvVVhV

Follow Us:
Facebook https://facebook.com/nerdist
Twitter https://twitter.com/Nerdist
Instagram https://instagram.com/nerdist/
TikTok https://www.tiktok.com/@nerdist

Image: Prime Video

#NerdistNews #LOTR #TheRingsOfPower #LordoftheRings #Tolkien #PrimeVideo

The post Lord of the Rings Finale: Ending & Rings of Power Theories Explained (Nerdist News w/ Matt Caron) appeared first on Nerdist.

Some of the most important artifacts in The Lord of the Rings‘ universe are, of course, the Rings of Power. And with the new The Lord of the Rings series actually titled The Rings of Power, it felt reasonable to expect that the aforementioned rings would make an appearance sooner rather than later. Viewers weren’t quite sure when they would catch a glimpse of the powerful and dangerous pieces of jewelry, forged with the help of the Dark Lord Sauron himself. And that leaves us to ask, were any of the Rings of Power forged in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power‘s first season? Let’s find out.

Did We See Rings of Power Created in The Rings of Power‘s First Season?

The short answer is yes. We did get to see some of the Rings of Power forged in the first season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. But the long answer is far more complex than that.

Why Did the Elves Want to Forge the Rings of Power?

Late in the season, it becomes clear that The Rings of Power‘s elves are in a pickle. The light of the Valar is fading from them, and without it, the race of elves will perish on Middle-earth. The elves appear to have only two options. One, stop the light from fading, healing the metaphorical rot that has infected them and threatens their immortality. Or, two, to flee Middle-earth, returning instead to their homeland in Valinor.

The half-elf Elrond discovers a possible solution to the problem at hand. His loyal friend, Prince Durin IV, uncovers a new precious new ore called mithril. According to the elves, mithril originated from the clash of pure good and pure evil.  The combination leaves mithril “pure and light as good” and “strong and unyielding as evil.”

Durin and Elrond come to understand that in proximity to the damaged elven spirit, mithril indeed heals the rot. But Durin’s father, King Durin III, refuses to allow the pair to continue to dig for mithril. In the end, Elrond only has a little bit of mithril to go around, but not nearly enough. And that’s where the forging of the Rings of Power comes in. The elves come to believe they can amplify the mithril’s powers if they alloy it with the right metal, amplified enough to allow the elves to avoid perishing on Middle-earth.

To avoid the loss of their immortality and the death of their race, Galadriel, Elrond, and Celebrimbor proceed to forge the Rings of Power, even though both Galadriel and Elrond understand the evil Sauron’s involvement. Potentially, they have also fallen prey to the siren song of power.

The Rings of Power‘s Sauron and the Forging of the Rings

The elves, unfortunately, do not come to forge the Rings of Power on their own. Galadriel unknowingly brings the evil Sauron to Eregion. Sauron, of course, comes as a guise of a friend, the king of the Southlands, Halbrand. Once in the chicken coop, Halbrand begins to meddle and manipulate, pretending to want to be helpful to the elves as he slowly guides them to forge the Rings of Powers for his own designs.

It is Sauron who so helpfully pushes the elven smith Celebrimbor towards the discovery of the rings. He wins the smith over with flattery, then offers the suggestion that bonding mithril with another metal could amplify instead of detracting from its powers. It’s also Sauron who unlocks the key to getting the metal to bond with another, less, not more power.

Ultimately, Galadriel comes to know who Sauron is. It is unclear if Sauron wished her to, or if it was in a slip of the tongue. But Sauron feeds Celebrimbor a line that the father of orcs and one-time elf Adar had told Galadriel about Sauron. That he sought a power not of this world but of the unseen world. “A power not of flesh, but over flesh.” When confronted, Sauron ultimately flees before he sees the Rings of Power forged. But as we know from The Lord of the Rings‘ lore, his evil plan is already in place.

The Forging of The Rings of Power‘s Rings vs The Lord of the Rings‘ Version

In The Lord of the Rings, The Rings of Power narrative of the elves seeking to save their race from the fading light of the Valar does not exist. Sauron’s arc as Halbrand, king of the Southlands, also does not exist, nor does Adar’s creation of Mount Doom. Instead, Sauron has already established himself in Mordor by the time the first Rings of Power are forged. And the dark lord busily assembles an army to conquer Middle-earth.

But to trick the elves, he knows brute force will not do. Thus, Sauron uses his powers as a shape-shifter and presents himself to the elves, presenting as a person named Annatar. He offers them great knowledge and magic. Elrond and King Gil-galad were especially suspicious of him, where other elves were not.

In Eregion, Sauron manipulates and seduces Celebrimbor into crafting the Rings of Power, all the while sneakily forging his own in the fires of Mount Doom. The Lord of the Rings lore notes that the elves make nineteen Rings of Power, and all but three fall into Sauron’s hands. Sauron gifts them to men and dwarves to corrupt them.

In The Rings of Power, the narrative of the rings’ forging has, of course, shifted. Sauron has not yet situated himself in Mount Doom, and his overture to the elves and Celebrimbor is a smaller one. However, it is still possible Sauron could return to try and charm the elves. Likely, though, Sauron left his mark on the Rings of Power in some fashion. And he will somehow worm his magic into any other Rings of Power forged in the future.

Although it also seems possible it will be the elves, instead, who spread this power to other races. It feels like Elrond is already considering telling the dwarves about the forging of the Rings of Power, although Galadriel bids they keep it a secret only for the elves. Whether Sauron has shapeshifting abilities enough to appear in another form on The Rings of Power, we will have to wait and see.

How Many Rings Were Forged in The Rings of Power Season 1, and Which Are They?

Ultimately, three rings are forged in season one of The Rings of Power. These are the rings that belong to the elves. The elven Rings of Power are Narya (the Ring of Fire), Nenya (the Ring of Water), and Vilya (the Ring of Air). It seems Gil-galad will wear Narya, Elrond will wear Vilya, and Galadriel will wear Nenya.

Perhaps, in the hope of having a ring for himself, Celebrimbor will set out to forge more rings.

What Are the Rings of Power Made From?

In The Rings of Power, the rings are made of an alloy that combines mithril and gold and silver of Valinor. Galadriel contributes the metal of Valinor by melting down her brother Finrod’s dagger. Finrod’s death greatly impacted Galadriel throughout the season, driving her in her quest to eradicate evil and fight Sauron. It is quite symbolic that his dagger melts into the Rings of Power, closing one page of Galadriel’s battle and opening another. We speculate the rest of the rings will be made only of dwarven mithril. But we’ll have to wait for The Rings of Power season two for that.

The post Were Any Rings of Power Forged in THE RINGS OF POWER’s Finale? appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power has made one thing very clear: Galadriel is right. A long-dormant evil is rising in Middle-earth. Orcs are kidnapping entire villages. Strange beasts are wandering the countryside and destroying ships. And the land itself has spoiled, not to mention erupted. But the forces of good might soon find help in a new ally. Well, new to them, at least. Because the Stranger who arrived on a comet might be an old supernatural being. He might also be the first incarnation of a great hero The Lord of the Rings fans know and love. And you don’t have to be a wizard to see why. Especially not if you can see gray. More and more, we’re thinking the Stranger on The Rings of Power might be the wizard Gandalf himself.

Who Sent the Comet That Carried the Stranger?

No man, elf, dwarf, or orc could have survived a comet crash. Of course, no mortal race in the world can travel via small meteorite. It would take an entity far more powerful than any who walks Middle-earth to send someone careening through the sky. There’s only one logical explanation for who sent that celestial traveler: the Valar.

The Valar are supernatural entities who watch over Middle-earth. They are the most powerful beings in the universe besides the supreme Ilúvatar. For centuries the Valar did not interfere in the great battle of Middle-earth’s First Age. They looked on from afar as the “children” of Ilúvatar suffered at the hands of the original Dark Lord, Morgoth. (Himself one of the Valar.)

The Valar eventually relented and came to Middle-earth to defeat Morgoth for good. That victory ended the First Age. But the Valar then returned to their own western continent of Aman. That’s where Valinor sits, the realm to which Galadriel refused to return at the end of episode one.

While The Rings of Power takes place during the Second Age, we know the Valar got involved in the great war of Middle-earth’s Third Age. However, rather than come again themselves, they sent five Maiar.

The Maiar are powerful spirit servants who helped the Valar shape the world. But the Valar sent them to Middle-earth inside the bodies of old men. Called the Istari, The Lord of the Rings fans know those five-robed, bearded, wise figures as wizards.

Before We Consider Gandalf, Is The Rings of Powers‘ Stranger Even a Wizard?

By the start of the Third Age, the Valar had separated Aman from the physical world. So wizards came to Middle-earth from the sky. (Repeat: from the sky.) The Valar sent them to assure the world the Valar had not forsaken Middle-earth nor its people in their renewed fight against the returning Sauron. One wizard, above all, aided Middle-earth in defeating Sauron for good before returning to reclaim his place in Aman.

In order to be Gandalf, The Rings of Power‘s Stranger would first have to be a wizard. As it transpires, the confused old man Nori miraculously found in a field of fire where the comet crashed—millennia before wizards arrived during an entirely different age—does possess many of the same powers wizards had.

What are the Stranger’s Powers on The Rings of Power?

The paranoid, unusual, easy-to-anger Stranger arrived nearly naked and acting erratically on The Rings of Power. He survived his crash but doesn’t remember how to fully communicate. He’s not even sure who he is or why he’s here. Hearing Nori say he’s “good” seemed to be a revelation for the Stranger, who fears he’s going to accidentally hurt the Harfoots.

That’s because despite his confusion, The Rings of Power‘s Stranger still incredibly powerful. He’s also unquestionably far more skilled than any race of Middle-earth. He can move things with his mind. He can pick up monstrous wolves and throw them, or run them off by hitting the ground and causing a huge shockwave. And his scream, which turned the world dark, doesn’t just shake everything around him. That terrifying, inhuman roar seems capable of destruction.

He’s also impervious to fire. The fire from his comet didn’t harm him. No surprise, then he could also pull flames into himself and snuff them out without injury. He also took Nori and Poppy’s fireflies and controlled them to form stars in the sky. Unfortunately, that also killed all the fireflies, which is one ability that should frighten everyone on Middle-earth. The Stranger can suck the life from livings things, though he did not take joy in killing the fireflies. Either that was unintended or a sacrifice required to use his magic. But because he’s not fully in control of himself or his abilities, he is paranoid and scared.

Nori is now scared of his powers, too. The Stranger instinctively came to her rescue and damaged his arm fighting wolves. He was able to heal himself by placing the injured limb in water, which iced over. But when Nori grabbed him, the ice also consumed her arm. He couldn’t even sense she was there, let alone keep her safe. We see the Stranger come into his powers in the final episodes of The Rings of Power, pushed to attack by the mysterious white-cloaked cult. Interestingly, when the Stranger annihilates the dweller on The Rings of Power, she turns into a moth, in perhaps another subtle connection to Gandalf, who is known to talk to the creature in The Lord of the Rings‘ movies.

But while he can destroy, he can also create. The Stranger touched a dying, burned tree and restored both it and the surrounding area to full life in a single night. He took a wasteland and gave the desperate Harfoots a verdant bounty.

So is the Stranger a wizard? Well, he has more in common with the Istari than any creature ever born on Middle-earth. And Poppy herself realizes he’s no man or elf but “something else.” And, of course, The Rings of Power confirms that the Stranger is an Istar in its finale. The cult of Sauron tracks him down, thinking he is their leader, only to name him a wizard instead.

So the question just remains, is The Rings of Power using the Stranger to introduce Gandalf?

What Is the Stranger Trying to Tell Nori on The Rings of Power?

Like Nori, deep into The Rings of Power‘s episodes, we still don’t what the Stranger is trying to communicate. What did those drawings on the rock, his first attempts at communication, mean? (They looked like runes.) What about the lines in the dirt the Stranger drew? Are they a map?

When the Stranger saw them, he repeatedly said, “Mana úrë.” in Elvish that translates to the question, “What is heat?” What is heat! But even with this knowledge, we can’t say for sure the purpose of these strange words from the Stranger.)

Finally, what’s the significance of the constellation the Stranger highlighted to Nori with fireflies? He seemed to find that exact same collection of stars on an old Harfoot parchment. Clearly, its significance dates back to a past era. Sadoc Burrows tells the Stranger those stars haven’t been sighted in thousands of years. Could the Stranger have seen them before? Where does their image come from?

Ultimately, we learn more about them from the mysterious white-cloaked cult following the Stranger also possesses the image of these stars. They point to the mysterious realm of Rhûn, where mystics and men lie in wait for a new power to arrive. We bet that’s a location we’ll surely go in season two.

But we can do something Nori can’t—we can also find meaning in both his size and appearance. Nori’s “giant” friend wears a tattered gray robe, has a long gray beard, and long graying hair. This powerful being sent through the sky by the Valar—who is impervious to fire, and has powers of a wizard—really loves the color gray.

And there’s only one figure in all of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth that fits the same description as The Rings of Power’s Stranger—Gandalf the Grey.

Is The Rings of Powers‘ the Stranger Actually Gandalf?

Tolkien’s unofficial notes for his fantasy world say that the two (of the five) Blue Wizards sent during the Third Age (Alatar and Pallando) had previously come to Middle-earth during the Second Age. So it’s possible wizards first came to Middle-earth long before anyone realized. Tolkien’s Unfinished Tales also says wizards “had need to learn much anew by slow experience” when they came to Middle-earth. The Maiar’s transformation into a physical body and their trip seem to leave them confused initially. All of this lines up a wizard like Gandalf with The Stranger on The Rings of Power.

We also know Gandalf—whose name among the Maiar is Olórin—occasionally walked among the Elves in disguise. So if he ever came to Middle-earth previously, they might not have even known the shapeshifter’s real identity and purpose.

Gandalf, like the Stranger, also had a special relationship with fire. It could not injure him, and he could create it from nothing to light torches with magic. Ultimately he also bore Narya, the Elvish ring of fire. Gandalf, who wrote on Bilbo’s door in runes, also talked to bugs and fought off wolves singlehandedly. And when the One Ring tempted him, the world turned dark as he screamed at Bilbo and Frodo, just as the Stranger did when Nori frightened him.

The otherworldly voices the Stranger heard also sounded a lot like the voice of Sauron that Frodo heard when he put on the One Ring. And, just like Gandalf, Sauron is one of the Maiar.

The Rings of Power‘s seventh episode saw the Harfoots send the Stranger away. The Stranger is now wandering Middle-earth alone, and Gandalf was known as the Wandering Wizard for traveling across the lands without a home to call his own.

But the connections between the two bearded men go even further. Gandalf the Grey died in The Fellowship of the Ring. His Maiar spirit did not depart Middle-earth for long. Ilúvatar sent a naked Olórin back to fight Sauron. Despite now being another entity entirely (but with the same spirit), the wizard let his former companions still call him Gandalf, only this time, he was Gandalf the White. However, at first, he did not even remember the name Gandalf. It took a few days for Olórin to piece everything together in his mind.

And what did Olórin, who was unquestionably “good,” do when he first returned naked to the world? “There I lay staring upward” from a mountaintop, he said, “While the stars wheeled over, and each day was as long as a life-age of the earth.” Like the Stranger does on The Rings of Power, Gandalf looked to the stars for guidance. That might be because both had the same mission on Middle-earth.

The Rings of Power seems to tease that the Stranger is Gandalf in its final season one episode. After the Stranger is named an Istar, or wizard, for certain, he also appears to echo Gandalf’s quote from The Lord of the Rings movies, telling Nori that when in doubt, she should follow her nose. Of course, it could be that the Stranger is a different wizard altogether on The Rings of Power. Only season two will tell us more.

The Stars of the Valar and Middle-earth’s Smallest Heroes

Varda, Queen of the Valar, created new, brighter stars before the elves awoke on Middle-earth. They were the first things the elves saw, and they loved them. But Varda created some to be more than beautiful lights. She arranged certain constellations to serve as warnings of future doom.

That’s why the Valar sent wizards to Earth during the Third Age, to help fight a coming doom. Now it appears the Valar did the same thing during the Second Age, too. Possibly with the same Maiar, Olórin. And if that’s the case, through the Stranger, The Rings of Power might have just shown why Gandalf put the world’s fate in the hands of Middle-earth’s small-folk.

Nori found the Stranger and refused to leave him. She kept him safe, in part, because she feels some unknown powerful entity sent this man to her. But also because Harfoots—the hobbits’ ancestors—are good, caring people. And after his discovery, he returned the favor by making sure her family did not get lost during the Great Migration. He protected them because the Stranger and Nori are already great friends who rely on each other.

The Valar sent the Stranger to Middle-earth. Like the stars he looks to above, his arrival is an omen of a coming doom. And if he really is Olórin, it’s easy to see why Gandalf trusted in the bravery, courage, and heart of hobbits—Nori’s showed Olórin their worth on Middle-earth long before.

Originally published on September 1, 2022.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post Is THE RINGS OF POWER’s Stranger a Wizard We’ve Met Before? appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power‘s Halbrand was exactly who we feared he might be since the moment we met him. He is Sauron. But while the show’s season one finale answered that question, it raised all new ones. Was Sauron sincere in his desire to bond himself to Galadriel and atone for his past? Was everything he said and did all part of the silver-tongued charlatan’s sinister master plan? Or does the truth lie somewhere in the middle? The fact that we can’t tell highlights why Sauron is so dangerous.

Sauron, like Morgoth before him, operates with charm, deception, and half-truths. He also uses peoples’ fear against them. That’s exactly what he did with Galadriel over the course of The Rings of Power‘s first season. He constantly told her the truth about himself while never correcting her misconceptions nor filling in any of the blanks of his story. Her rage and anger also blinded her to his real identity. She was so desperate to find an ally that Galadriel let herself believe what she wanted to be true. Something Sauron was happy to benefit from.

And benefit he did. Galadriel helped him get back to Middle-earth, put the island of Nûmenor on a path of doom, and pushed the elves to make rings of power. Sauron’s grand plan for dominating Middle-earth is to create a power “over the flesh” and the unseen world, the One Ring. To accomplish that he needs the other races to craft their own rings first. And his relationship with Galadriel led the elves to create theirs.

If Sauron is purely evil, everything he did and said throughout season—including in the finale—is easy to understand. He saw Galadriel as a means to an end and used her from the moment they met. But Halbrand professed to want more from her than just access to Celebrimbor. He claimed he wanted bind himself to Galadriel so they could rule together as king and queen of Middle-earth. And, in classic Sauron fashion, the story he told has us questioning what’s true and what’s not.

Halbrand was Morgoth’s most trusted lieutenant. Morgoth had so much faith in his most dedicated and powerful follower he had a contingency plan for Sauron to continue their fight if Morgoth fell. But Halbrand claims that when Morgoth lost “it was if a great clenched fist had released its grasp from my neck, and in the stillness of that first sunlight at last I felt the light of the One again.” And he says if he is ever to be forgiven for his past he must “heal everything” he helped ruin. That, and not power and darkness, is his stated desire.

That’s why he wants claims he wants Galadriel, his “friend,” by his side. She will bind him to the light of the Valar and Ilúvatar, whose judgment he fears after serving Morgoth. (Sauron was not evil before Morgoth’s influence.) With Galadriel, Sauron can bring peace and order a world bathed in the light of the gods. He can atone for his sins on a level commensurate with the suffering he wrought.

If all of that is true it doesn’t mean Sauron isn’t misguided. Nor would it mean his future actions don’t come from evil desires. It would just mean he is far more complex than we might have thought, because inside of him is the potential for both good and bad. That theme was also a big part of the Stranger and Galadriel’s stories. (An idea that comes from Tolkien himself, though he did say Sauron was the closest thing to pure evil in all of Middle-earth.)

It’s even possible Halbrand started off with nefarious goals only to actually rediscover the light in Galadriel. She might have, for a moment, made him a better person who wanted to shed his evil ways. That would also change his story in a fundamental way. Because if he was telling Galadriel the truth, even a distorted version of it, it means for a brief moment he wanted to be good, he just doesn’t know what that means anymore. Morgoth corrupted him so much Sauron thinks “saving” and “ruling” are the same thing. You don’t have to feel bad for him to see why that makes for a compelling character.

And yet, that might be exactly what the future ruler of Mordor wants everyone to think about him so they don’t see him for what he really is.

While proclaiming his desire to feel the light he also used Finrod’s memory to help Galadriel encourage the elves make the rings. It was Halbrand as Finrod who implored her not to tell the elves his real identity and to let “the work” of the rings continue. He was quick to anger when she wouldn’t fall for his deceptions. Just as he gladly left her behind and found his way to the darkness of Mount Doom. Even a true desire to bind himself to her could be totally evil, because like mithril mixing dark and light would make him even more powerful and harder to defeat.

Whatever Sauron truly wanted from Galadriel is still unknown. You can make a case for him truly wishing to be a good person, just as you can for him being the epitome of evil and everything in-between. And that’s what matters. His friends and foes alike never know what (or who) Sauron really wants, nor what he has planned and why. That confusion is what makes it easy to spread evil throughout Middle-earth. No one can ever know if what Sauron says is true or not, but it’s Sauron, so we lean towards him being a liar.

Mikey Walsh is a staff writer at Nerdist. You can follow him on Twitter at @burgermike. And also anywhere someone is ranking the Targaryen kings.

The post What THE RINGS OF POWER’s Season 1 Finale Revealed (and Didn’t) About Sauron appeared first on Nerdist.

In an epic fantasy show like The Rings of Power, the idea of character death is one that comes with the territory. Every week fans watched with bated breath to see if their favorite Middle-earth dwellers would survive to fight, frolic, and feast another week. But not everyone can make it through to the end of a show or even a season. Here’s everyone major who died in the first season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power.

Every Major Character Who Dies in Season One of The Rings of Power

Jump to: Sadoc Burrows // The Cult of Sauron // Finrod // King Tar-Palantir // Ontamo // The Rings of Power’s Characters Who Seem Dead

Sadoc Burrows

Sadly, the leader of the Harfoots, Sadoc Burrow, did not survive the first season of The Rings of Power. Sadoc Burrows was a wise leader, who staunchly believed in the rules of the Harfoots’ lives, but was always willing to bend a little for the good of his people. He did not cast out Nori Brandyfoot and her family after she brought a Stranger into their midst and was ultimately curious and kind to who we now know is a wizard. Sadoc Burrows also had a great knowledge of the stars and signs of nature, and his intellect will surely be missed.

We were just starting to uncover Sadoc’s true nature as he went off the path with Nori, her mother, and Poppy. But alas, death is something we’d better start getting used to on this The Lord of the Rings show. Sadoc Burrows died in a confrontation between the cultists of Sauron and the Harfoots, as they attempted to save the wizard, the Stranger. The rest survived, but Sadoc passed in the woods. He will no doubt be remembered by the Harfoots, who regularly honor their fallen.

The White-Cloaked Cult of Sauron

The white-cloaked cult of Sauron did not find their promised leader in the Greenwood. Instead, they discovered an Istar, or wizard. Sauron’s cult really wanted to believe they had found their leader, and even seemingly pushed him to unlock his memories and powers. But when the mysterious characters turned on the Harfoots, who arrived to save the Stranger, they ended up on the wrong end of the wizard’s abilities.

It seems like The Rings of Power‘s mysterious cultists have been completely vanquished. But their death was a fascinating one, and it seemed to involve a lot of magic. As they were annihilated, their forms echoed that of the Army of the Dead from The Lord of the Rings movies. It will be interesting to see if the white-cloaked cult returns in some way in season two of The Rings of Power.

Galadriel’s Brother Finrod

Galadriel’s brother Finrod was the first major character to die on The Rings of Power. Finrod was a wise elf who offered a child Galadriel some sound, albeit intense, advice. But everything about their lives changed when Finrod was called to fight in the War of Wrath against Morgoth. Though Finrod survived Morgoth, he was determined to hunt the evil lord’s successor, Sauron, to ensure evil was fully gone from Middle-earth. But, according to Galadriel, Sauron found him first and slaughtered him.

In The Rings of Power‘s finale, Sauron takes the shape of the dead Finrod in Galadriel’s mind. He tries to convince Galadriel that her brother is alive, and for a minute, Galadriel is taken in. But ultimately, she knows the truth, Finrod died at the hands of Sauron, and no trick will bring him back. Finrod’s death has fueled Galadriel’s hunt for Sauron thus far on The Rings of Power, and no doubt it will continue to do so into season two.

King Tar-Palantir

It has been a rough first season of The Rings of Power for Númenor’s Queen Regent Míriel. Her overture into Middle-earth to unite the Southlands and stop the orcs resulted in the rise of Mount Doom and the death of many of her people. Upon her return, another heartbreak greeted her, the death of her father, King Tar-Palantir.

King Tar-Palantir’s The Rings of Power death did not altogether shock us. Of all the characters in The Rings of Power, Númenor’s one-time king seemed like he was the most on death’s door. Tar-Palantir’s last scene was not with his daughter Míriel, as he believed, but with Isildur’s sister, Eärien. The king bids her to look into the prophetic palantír, or seeing stone. But warns her not to look too long, as he did. Clearly, looking into the Palantir weakened the king, landing him in a bedridden fugue before his death on The Rings of Power. But we’re curious about what he saw, what else he revealed to Eärien, and what Eärien sees when presumably she looks into the palantír as the king dies.

Isildur’s Friend, Ontamo

Poor Ontamo, his death was definitely one of the saddest on The Rings of Power season one. Ontamo did not really have the same taste or love for battle and adventure as his two best friends, Isildur and Valandil. He seemed like he would prefer a quiet life, but followed his friends to Middle-earth. Ontamo died after the explosion of Mount Doom.

The Rings of Power Characters Who Seem Dead But Aren’t Dead

Isildur

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power really wants us to think Isildur died. We haven’t seen him since a burning house seemed to implode on him after Mount Doom’s eruption. Isildur’s father, Elendil, and his best friend, Valandil, believe Isildur’s death has taken place. But the one character who we should truly look to is Isildur’s noble steed, his horse Berek. Berek clearly knows something is up, which is why he wouldn’t let Elendil take him back to Númenor.

Of course, from the perspective of The Lord of the Rings lore, we know Isildur still has several big roles to play. Among other things, Isildur becomes a king of Gondor, cuts off Sauron’s hand at a key moment in the battle that ends the Second Age… And also spectacularly fails to destroy the One Ring and its evil, and by extension, Sauron, when given the chance. It’s too soon for The Rings of Power‘s Isildur to really be dead.

Celeborn

Galadriel’s husband, Celeborn is missing on The Rings of Power. He vanished after he went to fight in the war against Morgoth. Galadriel does not say he is dead, but she clearly mourns his loss. Although it might be that The Rings of Power could change Tolkien’s lore and kill Celeborn, it seems most likely that he’s still alive, perhaps in captivity or in a place that is hard to reach. In The Lord of the Rings‘ texts, Celeborn is by Galadriel’s side throughout most of her battles against Sauron. We will have to see if this figure emerges from the ether in The Rings of Power season two.

The Future Darkness of Middle-earth

All in all, we didn’t experience too many character deaths in the first season of The Rings of Power, but the evil that spreads across Middle-earth has only begun its work. Certain characters have fates set in stone, while others have less certain outcomes. With Sauron on the loose and Mount Doom bubbling in the background, more war and more evil lies on the horizon.

But as Celebrimbor says, true creation requires sacrifice… And that’s true about successful stories as well.

The post Every Major Character Death From THE RINGS OF POWER Season 1 appeared first on Nerdist.

The Rings of Power finale took viewers on a ride with solved mysteries, reunions, and goodbyes. However, The Lord of the Rings TV series still left plenty of questions for future seasons. When it comes to the Stranger, played by Daniel Weyman, we learned he is one of the Istari, but we did not learn his actual name. He regained his identity and seemingly his memories, but the Stranger did not say, “Hi, Nori, I have a name and it’s Gandalf.” His friendship with the adventurous Harfoot, his mannerisms, and some of his lines ring true for Gandalf the Grey. Even some of the imagery in his scenes screams Gandalf. But what if the Stranger is a different wizard we all know from The Lord of the Rings? What if the Stranger is Saruman?

By the time we meet Saruman in The Lord of the Rings, he’s up to no good. He’s lost his way in a search for greater power. That Saruman is nothing like the Stranger who falls from the sky in The Rings of Power. But maybe that’s a reason why he’s Saruman and not Gandalf.

Why Could the Stranger Be Saruman?

Ultimately, we don’t know who the Stranger is, aside from being an Istar, or a wizard. Five wizards came to Middle-earth, so the Stranger could be any of them. When the Valar realized Sauron had returned, they sent the Istari to help the peoples of Middle-earth. Nori even said in the finale that the Stranger was there to help. But why do I think the Stranger is Saruman?

In Middle-earth history, it seems likely Saruman arrived before Gandalf did. In Unfinished Tales, J.R.R. Tolkien said of Saruman, also known as Curumo:

The first to come was one of noble mien and bearing, with raven hair, and a fair voice, and he was clad in white; great skill he had in works of hand, and he was regarded by well-nigh all, even by the Eldar, as the head of the Order.

The Silmarillion says Saruman was the eldest Istari and came first. He definitely volunteered to go to Middle-earth first. Tolkien’s complex writings and retcons don’t reveal a crystal-clear answer about Saruman arriving first, but if you go by The Silmarillion, Saruman did. And in The Rings of Power, when the mystics realized their error, they said the Stranger is the Istar—not one of the Istari, the Istar, as if only one is present in Middle-earth right now. This moment was part of an overall mistake, and they could be wrong about this observation, too. But if only one Istar has come to Middle-earth so far, Saruman is a strong candidate.

Saruman’s History Before The Lord of the Rings

As mentioned, the Valar sent the Istari (who are Maiar spirits) to Middle-earth. In Tolkien’s writings, they came across the sea. The Silmarillion says, “In the likeness of men they appeared, old but vigorous.” Only Círdan the Shipwright knew Saruman’s identity. Saruman was known for being subtle in speech (with a powerful ability to sway others with his voice) and skilled in smithcraft. He eventually became the leader of the Istari because of all of them, “he had most studied the devices of Sauron of old.” In other words, he learned about dark magic and Ringlore and knew the enemy the best of the Istari.

Much of Saruman’s history in the Second Age is mysterious.

Saruman and Rhûn

The Mystics, believing the Stranger is Sauron, tell him he must go to Rhûn to fully explore his powers. They got the identity wrong, but the Stranger felt the direction about Rhûn to be accurate. He and Nori leave for the land in the east at the end of The Rings of Power season one finale. In Tolkien’s work, Saruman went to Rhûn, shortly after he arrived in Middle-earth, in fact—just like the Stranger. Two Blue Wizards went with Saruman into the East. Saruman remained in the East for hundreds of years, only returning to the West when Sauron’s power started to grow. We don’t know any details about his activities in Rhûn or his other easterly travels.

Gandalf, however, never went to Rhûn.

We don’t know if the Stranger will make it to his destination and the show could certainly deviate from lore or invent new history (as it has done already). Still, this is a point to consider.

Saruman’s Eventual Betrayal

By the time of The Lord of the Rings, Saruman has become jealous of Sauron’s power (and Gandalf’s too). He sees the Dark Lord as a rival and also an aspiration. Saruman wants to be Sauron’s only servant. We know of his ultimate betrayal against Middle-earth, maybe especially against his fellow Wizards and the Valar. Knowing where he ends up would make the Stranger’s current journey all the more fascinating.

If the Stranger is actually Gandalf, think about it from a character development standpoint. I don’t find it terribly exciting that Gandalf arrived in Middle-earth and was good from the beginning (with Nori’s help). That makes Gandalf more or less like we know him from The Lord of the Rings, thousands of years in the future. He will likely go through some things, but that would mean the Gandalf we meet in the Second Age is largely the same as the Gandalf in the Third Age.

On the other hand, if the Stranger is Saruman, consider that journey and how it makes his transformation all the more tragic. He starts on a similar path as Gandalf, but his choices and hunger for power lead him to evil. Saruman comes to look down on hobbits. After his friendship with Nori, that would hurt. Plus, if the Stranger is Saruman, it also makes Gandalf’s journey and decisions all the more important and emphasizes an ongoing theme in Tolkien’s works: every being has the power to choose between good and evil, or selflessness vs. selfishness.

Amy Ratcliffe is the Editor-in-Chief for Nerdist and the author of Star Wars: Women of the Galaxy, The Art of Star Wars: Galaxy’s Edge, The Jedi Mind, and more. Follow her on Twitter and Instagram.

The post What If THE RINGS OF POWER’s Stranger Is Saruman? appeared first on Nerdist.

Even if you’re familiar with J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, much changes between the Second and Third Ages. The creatives behind The Rings of Power shared the map below to help us understand where men, elves, dwarves, and Harfoots live. Maps have always been an important part of Tolkien’s world, both in and out of universe. Handily, on The Rings of Power, we get to see the map a lot to keep us grounded. But with all the overlapping storylines in the show, things can still get confusing. So we made a The Rings of Power map locations guide to help you keep everywhere the characters visit straight.

Every The Rings of Power Middle-earth Map Location; Jump to: Númenor // Khazad-Dûm // Eregion // The Southlands // Orodruin or Mount Doom // Mordor // Lindon // Rhovanion // Rhûn // Forodwaith // Valinor // The Sundering Seas

Númenor, an Island Kingdom of Men

You may recognize the white tree and architecture of Gondor in Númenor, and there’s a long history connecting the two cities of men. The people of Númenor are called the Dúnedain. They received the island as a gift from the Valar after fighting against Morgoth. We see the capital city, home to Queen Regent Míriel. It is a beautiful and grand place, with huge statues overlooking the port. Though we also get to see the less glamorous side—a blacksmith shop, pub, and even a prison cell. Galadriel and Isildur also travel to a second city, one where the Hall of Laws holds much history. And perhaps the key to finding Sauron.

On The Rings of Power‘s map, Númenor lies west of Middle-earth and far to the south of the world.

Khazad-Dûm, Realm of the Dwarves

Ruled by King Durin III, this great land under the mountain is also known as Moria. We see Khazad-Dûm in full splendor, with waterfalls and even plants growing below the surface. Shafts of light from above the mountain penetrate into the great halls. Elrond is a friend to Prince Durin IV, though the dwarfs first rebuff him from the West Gate on the edge of Eregion (see below). Princess Disa talks of mining for silver and other treasures, resonating the rock with her voice. She alludes to parts of the mountain that should be left alone. We know the dwarves will delve too greedily here in the future, awakening the Balrog. On The Rings of Power, the dwarves have also come across the first of the mithril that the mines will become known for.

Although relations between elves and dwarves are not always friendly, as Elrond and Durin’s are, they do sometimes live in proximity. As The Rings of Power Middle-earth map reveals, Eregion, an Elven realm, and Khazad-Dûm are practically entangled with one another. This closeness could yield greatness or great disaster.

Eregion, Realm of the Elven-Smiths

Celebrimbor brings Elrond to Eregion, the Elvish city along a river and the realm of Elven Smiths. Celebrimbor, a master smith himself, endeavors to build a great forge to make objects of both beauty and power (like rings, perhaps?). For some reason, this also requires a tower to be built, and Celebrimbor simply doesn’t have the workforce to finish the project on his desired timeline. He and Elrond travel to nearby Khazad-Dûm to enlist the help of the dwarves in this great engineering feat.

Every Rings of Power Location We’ve Seen; Jump to: Númenor // Khazad-Dûm // Eregion // The Southlands // Orodruin or Mount Doom // Mordor // Lindon // Rhovanion // Rhûn // Forodwaith // Valinor // The Sundering Seas

The Southlands, the Lands of Men (Destroyed)

On The Rings of Power, the people who live in this vast land, termed the Southlands for its southern location on Middle-earth’s map, are ancestors of those who sided with Morgoth centuries earlier. The elves keep watch over them from a high tower but also patrol to nearby towns. Arondir and the others are called home after High King Gil-galad declares the enemy fully vanquished. Tirharad, where Bronwyn and her son Theo live, is a simple Southland village of farmers and tradesmen. The nearby town of Hordern is destroyed by orcs, its people enslaved for their nefarious trench-building purposes.

Tower of Ostirith

As orcs encroach, Bronwyn rallies the people of Tirharad to take refuge in the tower. The Tower of Ostirith sits high on a cliff with only a narrow road leading to it. After half of those people defect and swear allegiance to Sauron once again, the orcs march to the tower. Arondir and the free men and women turn the fortress into a trap and the tower itself into a weapon, taking out hoards of orcs as they bring it down upon their heads. The tower no longer stands, but the altar amongst its ruin still serves a purpose. The sword is the key to unleashing water into the tunnels and trenches the orcs made, awakening the mountain.

Arriving by Ship

Galadriel, Halbrand, and the ships of Númenor sail northeast from the island to arrive in Middle-earth. From the Bay of Belfalas, they continue sailing upriver. It is a day’s journey to where they must mount their horses. It’s another day’s ride to pass through the mountains and arrive at the village with no time to spare.

Orodruin or Mount Doom

What will eventually be known as Mount Doom was a quiet, dormant volcano looming over the village of Tirharad known in The Lord of the Rings book as Orodruin. But now it has been awoken by water rushing down into its core, a chain reaction using the mysteriously powerful sword. The eruption forms not only the volcano as we know it in the Third Age, but likely the barren wastelands of Mordor as its evil spreads as quickly as ash can fill the sky. The Rings of Power hasn’t referred to this volcano as Mount Doom yet, but we know we’ve just witnessed its creation. It seems The Rings of Power will continually need to update its map of Middle-earth.

Mordor

By episode seven, the Southlands have a new name on The Rings of Power‘s map—Mordor. Adar’s orcs now have a home free from daylight as ash from the erupting volcano blocks out the sun. The villages and farmlands of men burn, and most of the people flee west. This Lord of the Rings location begins to look like we know it in the Third Age, a billowing volcano in a land fortified by mountains. As The Rings of Power continues, we expect Sauron will come to claim the land.

Every The Rings of Power Middle-earth Map Location; Jump to: Númenor // Khazad-Dûm // Eregion // The Southlands // Orodruin or Mount Doom // Mordor // Lindon // Rhovanion // Rhûn // Forodwaith // Valinor // The Sundering Seas

Lindon, Capital of the High Elves

High King Gil-galad rules over this westernmost point of Middle-earth. Lindon is the capital Galadriel returns to after her sojourns to seek out Sauron. Like all Elven places, it is beautiful, with groves of trees perfect for Elrond to sit while writing speeches. There are waterfalls and stunning towers. It is also home to the Grey Havens, the harbor where ships depart for the Undying Lands. Since Valinor sits to the west of Middle-earth according to The Rings of Power‘s maps, it makes sense for Lindon to house this important harbor.

Rhovanion, the Wilderlands of Middle-earth

The residents of this area are the migrating Harfoots. East of the Anduin River, they make a temporary camp. Hunters also trek through this area. To them, the Harfoots are a myth, even though they are right underfoot. Clearly, blending into their surroundings has kept the Harfoots alive. They are masters of disguising themselves, their wagons, and even their entire camps. The Wilderlands is also where the meteor lands, bringing the Stranger into their lives.

The Harfoot Migration

After harvesting all each area has to offer, the Harfoots pack up and move along. The caravan heads south from the Rhovanion Hills, adding places like Weedbrook and Undercliffs to The Rings of Power‘s map before reaching the Grey Marshes (which will one day be known as the Dead Marshes).

From there, their path heads east along the northern border of the Southlands, now known as Mordor. These areas are mostly not detailed on any Tolkien map that has appeared before The Rings of Power. Through Trout Bend, Thistledell, and The Braids, the Harfoots are heading to their autumn home. A place Nori simply calls The Grove. The trek is montaged together with scenes of the ups and downs of the perilous journey while Poppy sings her mother’s beautiful walking song. But when they arrive at The Grove, they see that lava bombs from the erupting volcano were flung far enough to devastate some of these lands as well.

Greenwood

The Stranger strikes out on his own journey from The Grove and comes to a forest known as Greenwood. In Eryn Galen, Sauron’s white-robed supporters catch up with him at last. But thankfully Nori and her friends find him soon after and they all break free of the danger. This forest may be what is one day known as Mirkwood. After the Stranger returns to The Grove with the Harfoots, he and Nori strike out once again into the wilderness.

Rhûn, The East and Eastlands

On the far east of the map of Middle-earth lies Rhûn. The white-cloaked figures come from this mysterious land, seeking Sauron. They plan to bring him to Rhûn, where the men and mystics living there are ready to support his return to power. They carry signs of the Hermit’s Hat, the constellation that the Stranger is seeking. The stars are only visible in the far east. So even though he is not Sauron, he clearly has a purpose in Rhûn. We didn’t see it on-screen in season one, but it’s likely we will at some point in The Rings of Power.

Every Rings of Power Location We’ve Seen; Jump to: Númenor // Khazad-Dûm // Eregion // The Southlands // Orodruin or Mount Doom // Mordor // Lindon // Rhovanion // Rhûn // Forodwaith // Valinor // The Sundering Seas

Forodwaith, the Northernmost Part of The Rings of Power’s Map

Dominated by snow and ice, this beautiful but harsh land also suffers from the cold of evil. A great castle sits atop a cliff that Galadriel and her lieutenants conquer in their search for Sauron. It is the keep where orcs fled after Morgoth’s defeat. But Forodwaith, the Northernmost Waste is home now only to snow trolls. But its existence, and the sigil found there, convince Galadriel of evil still lurking in Middle-earth. And indeed, Adar confirms that Sauron used the fortress to study dark arts in the pursuit of power in The Rings of Power‘s later episodes.

Valinor, the Undying Lands

Valinor is the original home of the elves. It sits across the great Sundering Seas from Middle-earth. From what we see of Galadriel’s childhood there, it is a beautiful and idyllic place. Until Morgoth attacks. The elves left for Middle-earth to fight against the evil. And now returning to it is essentially a reward for those who are worthy. King Gil-galad awards Galadriel and her lieutenants passage from the Grey Havens after their long search for Sauron. To reach it, they travel across the sea and are welcomed by birds, light, and music. The Sundering Seas sit between Middle-earth and Valinor on The Rings of Power‘s map, making the realm highly inaccessible.

The Sundering Seas, A Deadly The Rings of Power Map Location

Who doesn’t love a map with some monsters on it? But the sea serpents and other mysteries that appear on The Rings of Power‘s map also turn out to be real. Though the seas are calm for Galadriel’s journey to the Undying Lands, they are less forgiving once she rejects that fate. She must swim in the Sundering Seas. Even when the survivors of a shipwreck bring her aboard a makeshift sailboat, bad luck prevails. Referred to as the Worm, a huge beast attacks. Halbrand and Galadriel survive that long enough to weather a raging storm. They are eventually rescued and taken to Númenor, though their troubles continue.  

Although we do not see it fully on The Rings of Power‘s map, as mentioned, the Sundering Seas cut off Middle-earth from Valinor, the Elves’ treasured lands.

The Rings of Power Brings Middle-earth’s Map to Life

The Rings of Power shows off a Middle-earth we’ve never seen before as it continues to change in the Second Age. The natural beauty of New Zealand is once again on display, as it was in Peter Jackson’s trilogies. Assisted by stunning visual effects, the show creates the realms we’ll come to know and love during the series. And we love that The Rings of Power weaves the map of Middle-earth in and out of the amazing locations we see to ensure we always know where the path leads.

Every Rings of Power Map Middle-earth Location; Jump to: Númenor // Khazad-Dûm // Eregion // The Southlands // Orodruin or Mount Doom // Mordor // Lindon // Rhovanion // Rhûn // Forodwaith // Valinor // The Sundering Seas

Originally published on September 8, 2022.

Melissa is Nerdist’s science & technology staff writer. She also moderates “science of” panels at conventions and co-hosts Star Warsologies, a podcast about science and Star Wars. Follow her on Twitter @melissatruth.

The post A Guide to the Locations THE RINGS OF POWER Map Has Shown Us So Far appeared first on Nerdist.