Rings of Power Producers Address and Refute Dark Wizard Fan Theory

Key Insights

Viewers speculated that the Dark Wizard in LOTR: The Rings of Power might be Saruman, but the creators clarified that he is not.
The character could possibly be linked to one of the Blue Wizards, considering his background and his exchanges with Gandalf.
Subtle hints throughout the show imply that the Dark Wizard’s character may connect with Tolkien’s earlier works, which could enhance storytelling in Season 3.

As excitement builds around Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, fans are buzzing with theories about pivotal characters and unexpected plot developments. Despite the rampant speculation, the show’s creators have put the brakes on one significant fan hypothesis.

Season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power has introduced a host of new characters drawn from the universe crafted by J.R.R. Tolkien, but one particular wizard’s identity remains elusive. The finale of Season 2 revealed the Stranger’s true name, played by Daniel Weyman, which aligned with numerous fan theories. However, the identity of the enigmatic Dark Wizard, portrayed by Ciarán Hinds, is still a mystery. As viewers ponder whether he might be a classic antagonist from The Lord of the Rings lore, the show’s team seems to have left clues about his true nature, keeping fans guessing.

In a series of interviews, showrunners Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne tackled the fan theory that posited the Dark Wizard might be Saruman, a role famously played by the late Christopher Lee in films directed by Peter Jackson. This hypothesis gained popularity due to Hinds’ character’s resemblance to a younger version of Saruman. Furthermore, prior to the revelation of the Stranger as Gandalf the Grey, there was a mysterious exchange between the Istar and the Dark Wizard from Rhûn, who called Gandalf an “old friend.”This led some fans to theorize that the Dark Wizard could indeed be Saruman the White. However, McKay and Payne have categorically dismissed this notion, clarifying that the Dark Wizard is definitely not Saruman. “In the history of Middle-earth, we know that some wizards fall into corruption,” McKay explained to The Hollywood Reporter. He added, “That doesn’t mean it’s the same character.” In further discussions with Vanity Fair, McKay stated, “It would be exceedingly improbable that this character is Saruman,” with Payne noting, “If not outright impossible.”

While the mystery of the Dark Wizard’s true identity remains, the possibility of him being Saruman is virtually ruled out. So, if this Dark Wizard isn’t Saruman, who could he potentially be? Besides Saruman and Gandalf, the remaining candidates are Radagast the Brown and two unnamed Blue Wizards, as hinted by Payne in an interview with THR, stating, “That’s all we’ll disclose.” Within Middle-earth, there are only five known wizards, or Istari. Given that the Stranger is confirmed to be Gandalf and the Dark Wizard is not Saruman, the possibilities are limited. Radagast seems to be an unlikely candidate due to his established camaraderie with Gandalf during the Third Age of Middle-earth. It’s hard to envision Radagast maintaining a good rapport after witnessing how the Dark Wizard treats the Stoors and Harfoots in the finale of Season 2.

This situation leads to the Blue Wizards being the most likely suspects, especially considering a clue that arises in the Season 2 finale of The Rings of Power. The Dark Wizard alludes to a former friendship with Gandalf, suggesting they shared a bond in Valinor prior to their wizardly roles in Middle-earth. This narrative aligns with the backstory of the Blue Wizards; Alatar, selected by the Valar, invites his companion Pallando on a journey into Middle-earth. Together, they emerged as the two Blue Wizards but gradually faded into obscurity within Tolkien’s expansive lore. It seems that the show’s writers could be intertwining the origins of the Blue Wizards with Gandalf’s narrative, heightening the emotional stakes of the conflict between the Stranger and the Dark Wizard.

Although the true identity of the Dark Wizard remains ambiguous, the notion of him being a fallen Blue Wizard resonates well with Tolkien’s earlier writings about these enigmatic figures. This theory weaves seamlessly into the rich tapestry of LOTR mythology, paving the way for fascinating narratives in Season 3 of The Rings of Power. Themes in Tolkien’s work often delve into the conflict of powerful beings being tempted toward darkness—much like Gandalf, who resists the lure of the Ring to avoid its corruptive influence, and Saruman, who misguidedly thinks he can harness evil for good. The notion that even wizards can succumb to darkness adds an exciting layer to Ciarán Hinds’ portrayal. Should Prime Video proceed with a much-anticipated third season, fans might finally uncover the full backstory they’ve been longing for.

The Rings of Power can be streamed on Prime Video.

Source: The Hollywood Reporter

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