George RR Martin Called These 2 ‘Great’ Lord of the Rings Characters the Best in the Book

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Both The Lord of the Rings and Game of Thrones are incredibly popular fantasy series, and their fans often debate which is better. While they share some similarities, the two stories are quite different. The Lord of the Rings is generally optimistic, inspired by traditional fairy tales and epic poems, whereas Game of Thrones is known for its darkness, violence, and realistic portrayal of medieval times. Interestingly, George R.R. Martin, the author of Game of Thrones, has sometimes fueled this rivalry with his remarks about J.R.R. Tolkien’s work.

Despite often being seen as a departure from traditional fantasy, George R.R. Martin actually loves The Lord of the Rings. He didn’t write A Song of Ice and Fire to challenge Tolkien’s work, but to delve into elements he felt were missing in other fantasy novels – specifically, the complex politics and rivalries between powerful families. In a 2011 interview with Time magazine, Martin shared his favorite characters from The Lord of the Rings, revealing what he most appreciates about Tolkien’s writing.

George R. R. Martin Loves The Lord of the Rings’ Morally Gray Characters

I’ve always loved how The Lord of the Rings explores the fight between good and evil, with clear heroes and villains. But for me, Boromir and Saruman are the most interesting characters. They aren’t simply ‘good’ or ‘evil’ – they’re complex people struggling with their own inner conflicts, and as Martin pointed out, it really feels like a battle within the human heart, much like something William Faulkner would write.

I’ve always been fascinated by Boromir. He truly had the potential to be a legendary hero, much like Aragorn – a rightful heir to a kingdom, incredibly brave, and a skilled warrior. He just felt important, you know? But unlike many heroes, his path didn’t lead to triumph. He made a terrible mistake, and that ultimately fractured the Fellowship. It broke my heart, but he did find redemption, sacrificing himself after escaping the Ring’s power. It was a tragic end for such a noble character.

Saruman, however, was changing. He and the other Wizards were originally sent to Middle-earth to help the good people fight against the evil Sauron, and he was meant to be their guide. But the more he studied Sauron and the One Ring, the more fixated he became, leading to arrogance and a desire for power.

Saruman’s descent into evil was gradual, and even at his worst, he genuinely believed his actions were justified. As Martin pointed out, Saruman had a long history – centuries, even – of fighting for good, which made his eventual fall from grace especially impactful. Ultimately, neither Saruman nor Martin were simply heroes or villains; they were complex characters with both admirable and flawed qualities.

Boromir and Saruman Followed a Common Game of Thrones Trend

Martin’s characters often operate in shades of gray, and this complexity is reflected in his writing. Like Boromir and Saruman, his characters frequently blur the lines between good and evil, making audiences question who to support. A common fate for these characters, including Boromir and Saruman, is death within the story’s timeline.

Boromir died protecting the hobbits from Uruk-hai attacks at Amon Hen, and Saruman was betrayed and killed by his servant, Gríma Wormtongue. Author George R.R. Martin is well-known for unexpectedly killing off characters, even important ones who seemed safe. This created a constant sense of danger in Game of Thrones, making the story much more suspenseful. The TV adaptation on HBO demonstrated this early on, notably in the second-to-last episode of its first season.

It’s notable that Ned was played by an actor who also appeared in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy. George R.R. Martin shared at a 2012 film festival that he had specifically wanted this actor for the role, along with Peter Dinklage as Tyrion Lannister, from the start. While Martin didn’t say his decision was influenced by The Lord of the Rings, it’s possible the character Boromir was in his thoughts when considering who could portray Ned.

In a recent interview with Time magazine, Martin emphasized his appreciation for Tolkien, clarifying that he wasn’t criticizing the author, but rather offering a different approach. He explained that his own fantasy world is designed with characters who are more complex and morally gray—leaning towards the personalities of characters like Boromir and Saruman from The Lord of the Rings, rather than the purely heroic or villainous figures of Aragorn and Sauron.

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2026-01-08 20:10