Summary
- Tom Bombadil’s long-awaited live-action debut in
Rings of Power
Season 2 offers a new interpretation of the popular character from the original works of JRR Tolkien. - The show’s creators are exploring Bombadil’s role in a narrative that spans multiple seasons, says star Rory Kinnear, giving more room to explore his unique traits and characteristics.
- Although Bombadil does not play a prominent role in the Second Age, his presence in the series promises to bring bright light to an age overshadowed by darkness.
Rory Kinnear talks about the long-awaited live-action debut of Tom Bombadil in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 and how the character compares to JRR Tolkien’s original character. The Rings of Power Season 2 returns to the Second Age of Middle Earth, as Sauron (Charlie Vickers) continues to amass power and the scattered heroes try to stop the encroaching darkness. Bombadil had a small role in The Companions as Frodo’s ally, although his role was ultimately cut from the film.
Kinnear opened up for GamesRadar+ about his character Rings of Power debut and how he compares to the original. Kinnear noted that his omission from previous adaptations has made fans eager to see him on screen, and explained that the series’ multi-year narrative allows more room to explore Tom Bombadil. Watch Kinnear’s explanation below:
Well, I think in the other adaptations, Peter Jackson says, it doesn’t necessarily drive the story forward, especially in the narrative. But on the page and in people’s imaginations, he’s this incredible character who carries so much knowledge and sense of humor and so much life, as well as all of humanity and history and the Earth. It’s kind of representative of everything that the Earth and Middle Earth is.
With multi-tiered series, you obviously have more time to explore those stories. The way (showrunners) JD (Payne) and Patrick (McKay) tell the story, they can create a role for him that isn’t necessarily the one in the books. They’re using that character, but in a different way than Tolkien.
Could a character from Rings of Power provide a clue about Tom Bombadil’s role in Season 2?
One wizard was particularly familiar with the cheerful nature in Tolkien’s works
Within the original Lord of the rings In the novels, Bombadil saves Frodo and his hobbit companions early in their journey. He allows the group to stay in his home and proves immune to the One Ring’s spell. Although Peter Jackson shortened his story to focus on Gandalf, the character has a strong following and has been the subject of many theories about what he represents. He has been seen as Sauron’s polar opposite, a representative of the land, and more. Despite this, he has few connections to the Second Age.
However, Bombadil will interact with a character in Rings of Power Season 2 is “The Stranger,” Daniel Weyman’s as yet unnamed wizard. Although he is no longer the only Istari of the Second Age thanks to the Dark Wizard, his identity is still shrouded in mystery. One Istari familiar with Bombadil in Tolkien’s lore is Gandalf himself, who knew Tom well and knew whether he could be trusted with the Ring. So if the Stranger is Gandalf, Bombadil could impart wisdom to him that will help him formulate or rediscover his eventual identity.
Although his role is a new equivalent, it is clear that Bombadil is being used wisely to keep one of Middle-earth’s brightest lights shining in an age of darkness.
Although Tolkien did not define Bombadil’s role in the Second Age, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerThe showrunners of still make every effort to stick to the author’s original script. From a faithful costume to a possible key relationship being explored to the presence of one of his more famous enemies, the Barrow-Wight, many elements of Tom’s original appearance have been woven into the series. While his role may be a new addition, it’s clear that Bombadil is being handled with care to keep one of Middle-earth’s brightest lights shining in an age of darkness.
Source: GamesRadar+
