As a long-time fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth saga, I have to say that the journey of discovering The Stranger’s identity in “The Rings of Power” was nothing short of exhilarating. The showrunners’ careful approach to this iconic character, Gandalf, was both respectful and intriguing.
The Season 2 finale of “The Rings of Power” revealed the name of a key character, The Stranger, who was actually Gandalf, as many viewers had guessed. But getting to this conclusion wasn’t straightforward. I wanted to know how they came up with this choice for the magical being, and the showrunners explained that the actor playing him played a significant role in their decision.
In an interview with the “House of R” podcast, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay revealed that The Stranger’s name wasn’t fixed from the start in “The Rings of Power.” They wanted to explore Weyman’s character’s journey and develop his story until he deserved his nickname. When I asked about this and how Weyman influenced this development, McKay explained:
As a devoted fan, encountering Gandalf was nothing short of awe-inspiring. I could feel the weight of his legendary status as we drew near, and it wasn’t a moment taken lightly. It wasn’t merely ‘Here’s Gandalf,’ no, it was facing an iconic, cherished figure. Interacting with such a character felt like reaching for the hem of his garment – a gesture that demanded reverence and respect.
It’s logical that they didn’t reach this decision right away. Instead, they carefully considered it over time, setting the stage to validate The Stranger as Gandalf. And indeed, they managed to accomplish this.
A significant part of the casting decision for Daniel Weyman as the magical character also stemmed from his portrayal. McKay mentioned that Weyman’s bond with Markella Kavenagh, who plays the Harfoot halfling aiding The Stranger, was crucial in confirming his role as Gandalf. This is because, as we recall from Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, the Istar has a profound affection for halflings. Seeing Weyman’s connection with Kavenagh reinforced their belief that his character could indeed be named Gandalf. To put it simply, McKay stated that this bond made the idea of him being Gandalf more convincing.
I think one of the things that really keyed in was that, particularly [in] Season 1, Daniel and Markella, who plays Nori, had this spooky connection, which is like, you know, ET and Elliot. It’s like they were friends. They needed each other. It was a fateful meeting. And the more that became the sort of anchor we built that storyline around, the more it felt like, ‘Boy, this guy’s relationship to halflings feels like a really key part of who he is.’ Which is, like, ‘Man, that idea we had that like, maybe or maybe he’s not Gandalf. Boy, this feels like Gandalf.’
Indeed, it’s quite evident that Gandalf-like qualities were apparent, particularly toward the end of Season 2. When confronted with the choice between helping his companions or pursuing his destiny, he chose to save Nori, Poppy, and the Stoors. His bond with the halflings is crucial, and his affection for them, especially Nori, runs deep. This decision underscores that he is none other than the wizard portrayed by Ian McKellen in the films.
As McKay explained further, they were determined to establish a foundation for naming The Stranger with reverence and dignity.
It appears that we were still undecided and uncertain about our choice, almost as if we hadn’t yet made up our minds, or put simply, we were unsure. We were driven by a desire to truly deserve that name, if possible. And yes, there was a sense of reverence with which we tackled it.
In summary, Weyman and Kavenagh’s portrayal of Gandalf and Nori respectively played a crucial role in solidifying The Stranger’s status as a legend, and I firmly believe that this title is entirely merited.
I’m really excited to see how he will maintain his performance when “The Rings of Power” comes back for Season 3. In the meantime, I plan on rewatching Seasons 1 and 2 with my Amazon Prime membership, as I enjoy the intriguing dynamic between these two actors that ultimately hinted at The Stranger being Gandalf.
Read More
Sorry. No data so far.
2024-12-14 06:37