This Elven Legend Could Make Rings of Power Smash Jackson’s Lord of the Rings Films

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Summary

  • Glorfindel’s presence in The Rings of Power could tilt fan favor toward the series over Jackson’s films.
  • Glorfindel’s unique abilities and history make him a crucial character in Tolkien’s universe.
  • Glorfindel’s potential appearance in The Rings of Power is highly anticipated by fans, with speculation on casting.

Although Amazon has put tremendous effort into the “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” series, many fans continue to view Peter Jackson’s trilogy as the definitive screen adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work. However, there’s a strategy that “Rings of Power” can employ to potentially sway some opinions in their favor. This involves focusing on one character, specifically an elf.

One common complaint about the Amazon series is that it doesn’t accurately represent Tolkien’s work and alters the lore. However, movie enthusiasts who haven’t read the books might not be aware that the Peter Jackson movies have also strayed from the original stories. For instance, the character of Glorfindel, a well-known elf in Tolkien’s canon, had his role significantly altered in the films and was given to another elf instead. If Rings of Power managed to portray Glorfindel as he truly is, it would earn the series high praise compared to the movies.

Who Is Glorfindel In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Saga?

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Lord of the Rings” series, Glorfindel is a noble elven prince hailing from Valinor and bearing kinship with Galadriel. When the elves migrated to Middle-earth, Glorfindel resided in the secretive, powerful city of Gondolin, cherished as a member of a distinguished house. However, in the First Age, Morgoth unleashed an immense army upon Gondolin, leading to its fall. Despite this catastrophe, Glorfindel skillfully orchestrated an escape, guiding some survivors through the mountains. Yet, it was in these very mountains that he met his tragic demise, a tale shrouded in legend and bearing striking resemblance to Gandalf’s fate in “The Fellowship of the Ring.

As I recount the legend, it goes like this: Amidst the chaos as we fled the fallen Gondolin, my people and I were ambushed by an Orc horde, led by none other than a Balrog of Morgoth. In a fierce battle high upon a peak, I, the valiant elven prince, struck down the Balrog. However, just as we witnessed Gandalf’s harrowing plunge in The Fellowship of the Ring, so too did I find myself dragged into the abyss by my defeated foe’s whip.

The tales say that Thorondir, the noble King of the Eagles, rescued my broken form from the depths, having come to aid us in our struggle. Eventually, I was laid to rest atop a hill. But here’s the extraordinary part—that wasn’t the final chapter of Glorfindel’s tale. What unfolded next truly sets him apart as an exceptional elf.

Why Is Glorfindel So Special In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings Saga?

In Tolkien’s literary universe, death and eternal life are recurring motifs. Originally, he contemplated the concept that fallen elves, specifically those in battle, would be reborn. This rebirth process was believed to involve their souls traveling through divine realms before they were given a new body again. However, this transformation was supposed to occur over an immeasurably long period. Yet, as his work progressed, Tolkien mostly discarded this notion and utilized it only on two occasions within the stories. Interestingly, both instances featured a noticeable acceleration in the rebirth process.

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s books, it isn’t just Gandalf who is resurrected; prior to him, there was Glorfindel. In his original form, Glorfindel was a mighty and influential elf. However, because of the heroic, self-sacrificing nature of his demise, the Valar (the gods in Tolkien’s universe) chose an exceptional course of action: they swiftly reincarnated Glorfindel’s spirit and sent him back to Middle-earth as their representative during the Second Age. His mission in this new existence was similar to that of the Istari, or wizards. To aid him on his journey, the Valar not only preserved his memories from his previous life but also bestowed upon Glorfindel powers akin to the Maiar (celestial beings).

In the stories we find, the strong character Glorfindel, who is said to reappear in Middle-earth around the making of the One Ring, plays a significant role in the conflict against Sauron prior to the happenings depicted in “The Fellowship of the Ring.” It was Glorfindel who made a prophecy about the Witch-King of Angmar, stating that he would not be slain by human hands, suggesting he had some level of insight. Unfortunately, many of his heroic acts are not discussed extensively, much like Gandalf; both characters often concealed their full potential of power.

In J.R.R. Tolkien’s book The Fellowship of the Ring, after Gandalf learns that the One Ring resides in the Shire, Elrond assigns Glorfindel to track down Frodo and his group as they travel towards Rivendell. It is Glorfindel who scares off the Nazgûl, carries Frodo on his horse when he’s injured by a Nazgûl blade, and guides Aragorn and the other hobbits to Rivendell. During the Council of Elrond, Glorfindel offers suggestions regarding the One Ring. Initially, there was talk of including Glorfindel in the Fellowship, but this idea was eventually abandoned. The Fellowship needed to remain hidden due to the risk that a powerful elf like Glorfindel would reveal their location and attract unwanted attention, particularly from Sauron. The final reference to Glorfindel in the books is found in the appendices, where it is noted that he attended Aragorn’s coronation as King Elessar.

Why Was Glorfindel Not In Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings Movies?

Initially, Jarl Benzon portrayed Glorfindel in “The Fellowship of the Ring,” but his role was rather minimal, mostly confined to sitting at Elrond’s table among other silent elf characters. He also made a brief appearance alongside Elrond in “The Return of the King” during Aragorn’s coronation. Due to Glorfindel’s limited involvement in the War of the Ring, filmmakers chose to minimize his screen time in later films. Instead, elements of his story were incorporated into Arwen’s introduction in the first movie. This served to establish her as a significant character, strengthen her bond with Aragorn, and connect her destiny more closely to the One Ring.

In a number of aspects, leaving out Glorfindel in the movies might be justified, as non-readers could find his inactivity puzzling given his powerful elf status, much like they question the sudden intervention of eagles in “The Return of the King” as an unexpected solution or deus ex machina. Nevertheless, since “The Rings of Power” focuses on the Second Age timeline, which connects to Glorfindel’s reappearance in Middle-earth, fans can reasonably expect a satisfying resolution or fulfillment of their hopes regarding his character.

Isn’t Glorfindel Technically Already In The Rings of Power Show?

In The Rings of Power, this renowned elf hero was previously portrayed in an animated form. There’s an old tale that Gil-galad recalls to Elrond, about an elf who battled a Balrog atop a mountain peak, and the lightning bolt that supposedly formed the mithril veins within the Khazad-dûm mountains. Fans are intrigued whether this could be Celeborn, Galadriel’s husband who is said to be missing. However, scholars believe this story might instead be hinting at the elusive Glorfindel.

In the finale of The Rings of Power’s second season, Eregion was under siege, culminating in the demise of elven blacksmith Celebrimbor who crafted the nine rings for men. Sauron is now advancing to create the One Ring. The closing scene featuring Gil-Galad, Elrond, and Galadriel standing in a valley reminiscent of Imladris (Rivendell) suggests that the conflict between the elves and Sauron has commenced. As season 3 plans to leap forward in time, it’s fitting, staying true to the lore, for Glorfindel to reappear in Middle-earth, making his long-awaited screen debut with dialogue.

Additionally, it’s worth noting that the producers of “The Rings of Power,” J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, hinted at potential surprises during their panel at San Diego Comic Con in 2024. They mentioned there are still many episodes to be filmed for the show, leaving room for unexpected characters. Fans are particularly hopeful about the appearance of Glorfindel, despite him being a First Age elf, as they believe he could also play a significant role in the Second and Third Ages, similar to Celeborn or Gandalf. Since Amazon doesn’t have the rights for the First Age, Glorfindel’s presence is not explicitly guaranteed, but it seems promising.

Who Could Play Glorfindel In The Rings of Power?

News about new cast members for the third season of “The Rings of Power” has been causing a stir since last February 2025. It was announced then that Eddie Marsan and Jamie Campbell Bower would be joining the series, with Bower expected to portray a dashing, noble knight. Given that Bower hinted at wanting to move away from playing villainous characters like Vecna in “Stranger Things,” there’s a good chance he might take on roles such as Galadriel’s missing husband, Celeborn, or, as many fans eagerly suggest, Glorfindel.

Here’s another intriguing possibility: Actor Sam Heughan from Outlander has shown enthusiasm for joining The Rings of Power. Interestingly, he shares the same name as Frodo’s loyal companion, Samwise Gamgee. Fans are hopeful that he might be cast as Celeborn, offering an alternative to the popular pairing of Charlie Vickers’ Halbrand and Morfydd Clark’s Galadriel, who are Celeborn’s on-screen spouse. With his background in fantasy roles and portrayal of a Highland warrior, Heughan could prove to be an insightful choice for a heroic character who battles formidable monsters and whose valor is immortalized through songs.

Regardless of who gets chosen, introducing Glorfindel undeniably offers a fantastic opportunity for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power to outshine previous movies and satisfy long-awaiting Tolkien enthusiasts by featuring a cherished character on screen.

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2025-05-02 00:05