Who Is The Dark Wizard In Rings Of Power? Every Villain He Could Be, Explained

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After years of immersing myself in the lore and tales of Middle-earth, I must say that my heart leans towards the enigmatic Blue Wizards as the identity of the Dark Wizard in “The Rings of Power.” Having spent countless hours poring over Tolkien’s unfinished works, it’s clear to me that these elusive figures hold the key to understanding this captivating character.

In Season 2 of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power,” produced by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, a new character named a “Mysterious Dark Wizard” portrayed by Ciarán Hinds was introduced. This ominous figure emerges early in the season, and it doesn’t take much time to understand why he bears the title “Dark.” He governs a cult-like group residing in Rhún, an area of Middle-earth that J.R.R. Tolkien didn’t provide many details about. It’s evident that he is abusing his power and orchestrates unsettling rituals, such as self-mutilation involving hand-cutting and practices involving moths related to reincarnation.

Despite the undeniably sinister aura, when he faces Daniel Weyman’s Stranger (later revealed as Gandalf) in the season finale, he attempts to charm his magical companion into allying with him. However, when this strategy fails, the Dark Wizard unleashes chaos, laying waste to the Stoorish community and leaving his counterpart to deal with the aftermath.

As the dust clears at the finale of the season, we uncover (after a prolonged, two-season speculation) that our hero is indeed Gandalf. However, the identity of the Dark Magician remains elusive. Could it be Saruman? Or one of J.R.R. Tolkien’s enigmatic Blue Wizards? Or perhaps someone else entirely? Let’s explore the top possibilities for the unidentified Dark Magician (and let’s keep our fingers crossed, hoping we don’t have to endure another two seasons just to find out if we’re correct this time).

Is The Rings of Powers’ Dark Wizard Saruman?

It seems quite plausible that the Dark Wizard could be Saruman, given his gruff demeanor and the hints of black in his beard, a trait similar to Saruman’s appearance in Peter Jackson’s films. Moreover, if Gandalf is portrayed as the good guy, it makes sense for Saruman, his natural counterpart, to appear as the antagonist. The Dark Wizard even addresses Gandalf as an old friend, mirroring their dialogues early in “The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring,” where Saruman tried to persuade Gandalf to forsake reason for madness, played by Christopher Lee and Ian McKellen respectively.

Contrary to speculation, the showrunners have effectively debunked the theory about Saruman’s appearance in the show. Patrick McKay confirmed to Vanity Fair, “I’ll make this clear: Given the lore of Middle-earth, it would be extremely unlikely that this character could be Saruman.” J.D. Payne echoed, “It wouldn’t be impossible, but it would certainly be a stretch.” After further discussion, McKay reiterated, “It would go against the norms of gravity and physics for it to be Saruman.

It’s important to note that the series has made efforts to fit certain storylines into place, such as introducing the Balrog prematurely or having Sauron disguise as Halbrand for an entire season before revealing his true character. For now, the mysterious Dark Wizard could theoretically be Saruman, but considering the showrunners’ statements, it seems improbable at this stage.

Is the Dark Wizard actually a Blue Wizard?

The Dark Wizard might have been among the Blue Wizards, two mysterious magic-users whom J.R.R. Tolkien occasionally hinted at in his works but didn’t fully explore. In the published edition of “The Lord of the Rings,” they are only alluded to once when Saruman briefly mentions there were “Five Wizards.

to combat Sauron. Depending on the source (letters, published books after his death, essays, etc.), their names are either unknown, Alatara and Pallando, or Morinehtar and Rómestámo. In later writings, Tolkien intended for the Blue Wizards to play a crucial role in Sauron’s defeat, working against him in regions like Rhûn where Sauron holds significant influence over local human tribes. However, in earlier writings, Tolkien hinted that the Blue Wizards might have failed in their mission, much like Saruman did.

In a specific letter dated 1958, he expressed his concern that these wizards may have achieved some success, but he feared they ultimately failed, much like Saruman, though presumably in distinct manners. He also suspected they established hidden cults and magic traditions that endured even after Sauron’s fall. This portrayal of corrupt wizards aligns with the character development of Ciaran Hinds’ Dark Wizard in the show. However, a question arises: Why is there only one wizard mentioned? Could there be another mysterious blue-robed sorcerer lurking somewhere else within this realm?

Is The Rings of Powers’ Dark Wizard Radagast?

As a gamer, I might rephrase that like this: “Hey there! You know, when it comes to the Dark Wizard identity in Middle-earth, some folks might find it unexpected, but let’s entertain the idea of Radagast the Brown. Now, he’s the cute, rabbit-loving character from Peter Jackson’s ‘The Hobbit’ movies, and at first glance, this seems like a stretch. But remember, in the books, Radagast is portrayed as kind and good. However, we don’t know much about him or his background in Tolkien’s writings. This could open up an interesting plot twist for the show, where they start off with him as evil and eventually redeem him. And while Saruman doesn’t care much for Radagast in Tolkien’s work, the movie version of him is quite eccentric, which could add a unique flavor to our dark wizard if that was the route they chose.

As a devoted fan, I can’t help but share an exciting tidbit from a recent interview with the showrunners in Vanity Fair. Patrick McKay hinted at the significant part the Dark Wizard will play in the unfolding events of Middle-earth. This role seems to be intertwined with our wizard, who is just beginning to find his true potential. Tom Bombadil has foretold that this wizard must confront not only the Dark Wizard but also Sauron. So, it appears the Dark Wizard’s destiny remains unwritten and his identity remains a mystery for now.

This implies that this Wizard may not be permanently bound for evil. It’s possible that Gandalf’s role is to persuade him back to his initial mission. Additionally, in Season 2, a Dark Wizard explicitly mentions that he and Gandalf belong to a group of five magical beings. If Saruman and the Blue Wizards are excluded, Radagast would be the sole remaining member of that quintet. However, although it’s feasible, the likelihood of him being Radagast seems slim given the numerous discrepancies at present.

Is the Dark Wizard a rogue Wizard or a human sorcerer?

The book titled “Unfinished Tales” contains an essay on Tolkien’s magical beings known as the “Istari,” or his capitalized “W” Wizards. In this essay, various aspects are explained, such as their origin, composition, and role in Middle-earth. This chapter was assembled by Christopher Tolkien, and it incorporates multiple variations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s writings and insights, including a fascinating fact where he mentions, “Among this Order of Wizards, the exact number is unspecified; however, among those who came to the northern regions of Middle-earth, where there was much promise… the leaders were five.

The text suggests that aside from the five prominent Wizards, there could have been other Wizards who came to Middle-earth independently. It’s important to note that the Five Wizards are referred to as the “leaders” rather than the sole members of their Order.

An alternative interpretation is that Ciaran Hinds’ character might be a human skilled in magic, as opposed to an angelic wizard. In the same piece, Tolkien clarifies that his “Wizards” are different from the wizards and magicians of later tales. Moreover, he hints at men who practice sorcery, such as one of the Nazgûl and the Mouth of Sauron. Although it seems unlikely, if the showrunners chose to, they could have this magic-user be a man who has achieved such proficiency in dark magic that he can rival an angelic spirit, similar to how the Witch-king and Gandalf would compete thousands of years later.

Looper’s official guess at the Dark Wizard’s identity

Among numerous possibilities, it seems our best bet is that the enigmatic Dark Wizard hails from the two relatively unexplored Blue Wizards, as depicted in J.R.R. Tolkien’s incomplete mythos. This hypothesis aligns most closely with the Dark Wizard’s surroundings, behaviors, and suspected intentions.

Furthermore, during a Reddit Q&A session, the showrunners hinted that it’s highly probable (though not definitive) that the character in question is a Blue Wizard. In other words, according to Patrick McKay, it’s challenging to confirm anything with absolute certainty. However, we know that there are five wizards mentioned in ‘The Lord of the Rings’. One is Saruman, another is Gandalf, another is Radagast, and the remaining two are yet to be identified. Their expectation is that this character will be one of those unidentified two.

McKay’s response, though clearer than usual, still leaves room for mystery. It appears he suggests that unless there’s a significant change in direction, the Dark Wizard is a Blue. This raises questions: Who is his accomplice? Or could they transform the other Blue into a hero, resolving both sides of Tolkien’s ambiguous prophecy for the eastward-bound duo? We’ll have to wait until Season 3 to uncover the answers.

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2024-11-30 15:30