As a seasoned gamer and Tolkien enthusiast who has spent countless hours immersed in Middle-earth, I must say that the reveal of the Stranger as Gandalf in The Rings of Power was a masterful stroke by the creators.
After many rumors, enthusiasts of “The Rings of Power” have now uncovered the real character behind The Stranger. This revelation occurred in the Season 2 finale of the Amazon Prime Video series, which premiered on October 3. Interestingly, as stated by the show’s creators and producers Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne, there were numerous other possibilities under consideration before the true persona of The Stranger was settled upon.
The Rings of Power creators reveal how The Stranger’s true identity was decided
At the end of Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power series, it’s unveiled that the enigmatic character known as the Stranger is actually Gandalf, an esteemed member of the Istari order and a significant figure from J.R.R. Tolkien’s novels The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. In a recent interview, showrunners McKay and Payne mentioned that they explored other potential identities for the Stranger before ultimately choosing Gandalf, who is also recognized as Olórin in the ancient land of Valinor when he was born.
McKay clarified during an interview with the Los Angeles Times that, while it may not be believed, this tale served as a voyage of self-discovery for the main character and those surrounding him, as well as for the writers themselves. Their intention was for this to be the backstory of a wizard grappling with his identity and responsibilities.
In a deep dive into Middle-earth’s history, specifically Volume 12, Payne revealed that Olórin had previously visited this world. This suggests that Tolkien may have portrayed Gandalf as arriving earlier than the Third Age, although there were other aspects of the story that aligned well with Gandalf’s later character.
The Stranger, portrayed by Daniel Weyman, arrived on Middle-Earth via a meteor in the series premiere. His identity was shrouded in mystery until the Season 2 finale. In the finale, fans get to see him take on the Dark Wizard and get his staff. He even says, “Gandalf… That’s what they’re going to call me, isn’t it?”
Initially, Saruman and the Blue Wizards were contemplated as possible candidates for the character known as the Stranger. However, according to McKay and Payne, these ideas were abandoned because they didn’t align with the storyline. In the final episode of Season 1, it was already determined that Gandalf would be the Stranger. This is hinted at when he utters his famous line “When in doubt… always follow your nose” in the season finale.
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2024-10-04 14:40