The Rings of Power star shares reaction to The Stranger’s identity reveal

As a long-time devotee of Middle-earth and its enchanting tales, I must say that the unveiling of The Stranger as Gandalf in The Rings of Power was nothing short of breathtaking. Having grown up with Tolkien’s world woven into my imagination, witnessing this moment firsthand was akin to reliving the wonder and excitement of my childhood all over again.


*Warning: Spoilers ahead for The Rings of Power season 2 episode 8.*

At long last, the moment we’ve all anticipated has arrived, yet its grandeur was undiminished. In the final episode of season 2, the enigmatic figure known as The Stranger in The Rings of Power was officially unveiled as Gandalf, adding a thrilling climax to our viewing experience.

Though some viewers anticipated it, actor Daniel Weyman confessed he remained clueless till they started filming the scene involving Tom Bombadil, played by Rory Kinnear.

The Rings of Power star shares reaction to The Stranger’s identity reveal

They shared some background details with me, then seated me alongside Charlotte Brändström, the director. They mentioned that the other entities would refer to him as Gandalf.

As a lifelong movie enthusiast, I found myself in a state of disbelief. After all these years, immersed in fantastical realms, I was once again captivated by the sheer magic and innocence that only childhood can evoke. It was a feeling of pure excitement and boundless curiosity, as if I’d just stepped into a brand-new world, brimming with possibility.

I’m deeply moved by the realization of how significant that character is to countless individuals. Feeling profoundly honored, I can’t help but appreciate the growth ‘The Stranger,’ who holds a special place in my heart, has shown, becoming a figure some may compare to Gandalf.

Despite not discovering The Stranger’s true identity until halfway through Season 1 and much of Season 2, Weyman found the intrigue to be quite satisfying.

He clarified that he hadn’t realized until the entirety of season 1 that his character would turn out to be a wizard, and it wasn’t until the end of that season that this was confirmed.

For the entirety of Season 2, I became well-versed in various discussions happening among people in the real world, my friends, family, and online communities, all sharing their theories regarding his identity.

For a considerable period, I wasn’t well-acquainted with myself, and I found contentment in that state since I felt at ease embodying the enigmatic Stranger from Middle-earth, whose story unfolds from his arrival to the present moment, which is all we have been privy to so far.

He doesn’t have a lot of recent recall about what life was like so many centuries ago; his timeless existence prior to this is largely unfamiliar to him.

The Rings of Power star shares reaction to The Stranger’s identity reveal

If given the chance to reprise my role as Gandalf in potential new seasons of the series, I’d quip with a twinkle in my eye: “I’m looking forward to taking those eagles for a spin!

He mentioned: “I’m unsure about the future of the show, but if given the chance, I am thrilled at the prospect of exploring a character whose future becomes more expansive, while also delving deeper into his past.

“He can begin to bring things into his being that have happened tens of thousands of years ago.

Through this project, I’ve immersed myself extensively in Tolkien’s original works. It’s fascinating to consider that traces of those ancient tales could seep into his consciousness, shaping his thoughts and actions: such as the concept of creation through song, the migration of elves, events from a distant past that might unexpectedly resurface and impact his future behavior.

The Rings of Power star shares reaction to The Stranger’s identity reveal

As an eager movie enthusiast, I, much like Nori, portrayed by Markella Kavenagh, couldn’t stand the anticipation of unveiling The Stranger’s enigmatic identity. Intriguingly, during our very first rehearsals, she dared to ask the Gandalf-like question, inquiring about the secret that lay hidden within the character I was to play alongside her.

As a cinephile, what truly left me spellbound was discovering that after that pivotal scene, due to the profound insights shared by the wise Dan on the enigmatic nature of The Stranger – a man unaware of his own identity – our role became not to uncover who he is, but rather to join him on his voyage and aid him in his quest for purpose and belonging. Thus, it seems the narrative’s core intention was always to follow this journey – but when we finally learned more about him, oh what an exhilarating moment that turned out to be!

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2024-10-03 16:34