This Lord of the Rings Character Quietly Replaced Wormtongue (and It’s Not Who Fans Think)

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As a fan of the Two Towers film, I always found Saruman the White to be a truly chilling villain. His goal was total domination of Middle-earth, starting with Rohan, but he was too proud to get his own hands dirty. Instead, he manipulated the Rohirrim through his slimy servant, Gríma Wormtongue. It was heartbreaking to see how Wormtongue, who used to be a trusted advisor to King Théoden, was corrupted by Saruman and turned into a spy. Wormtongue slowly poisoned Théoden, both physically and with misinformation, making him weak and easily controlled. He then convinced the king to unknowingly help Saruman’s plans. Because of Wormtongue’s deception, Saruman’s forces were able to wreak havoc across Rohan, and loyal Éomer was unfairly banished. What really stood out to me in the film, and it’s different from the book, is that Saruman could actually take control of Théoden’s body using his magic when he needed to, which was a terrifying display of power.

When Gandalf arrived in Edoras, he cured Théoden by removing the influence of Saruman from his mind. Immediately after the king recovered, he banished Wormtongue from the Golden Hall of Meduseld, and would have killed him if Aragorn hadn’t intervened. Exposed as a traitor, Wormtongue fled back to Saruman in Isengard. Viewers might assume a certain character from Peter Jackson’s films took over Wormtongue’s role, given their similar looks, personality, and job. However, Jackson reveals that a surprising hero actually filled that position in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.

Gandalf Took Over From Wormtongue in The Two Towers

Gandalf is widely considered one of the most virtuous characters in The Lord of the Rings. As one of the Wizards sent to Middle-earth from Valinor, he was essentially an angelic figure. He consistently inspired, guided, and protected the people of Middle-earth, earning the affection of almost everyone he encountered. However, director Peter Jackson subtly suggested a more complex side to Gandalf’s personality. In the commentary for The Two Towers, Jackson frequently described Gandalf as a “manipulator,” similar to the character Wormtongue. This idea first arose after Gandalf freed King Théoden from Saruman’s influence and encouraged him to reclaim his sword, as Jackson explained.

You know, what I really dig about Gandalf in this scene is how cleverly he pulls the strings. It’s not that he tells people what to do, but he subtly guides them. Like when he says something about Théoden remembering his strength and grabbing his sword – that’s not just encouragement, it’s a calculated move to get Théoden to confront Wormtongue. Gandalf clearly has a problem with Wormtongue, but he’s too smart to just barge in. He plants the idea in Théoden’s head, lets him come to the conclusion himself, and it’s just brilliant. It’s a really fun side of Gandalf – he’s always subtly manipulating things from behind the scenes, and I find that fascinating.

Gandalf and Théoden quickly discussed whether the Rohirrim should defend Edoras against Saruman’s attacks or not. During this conversation, Gandalf deliberately sat to the right of Théoden’s throne – the very same spot Wormtongue used to subtly poison the king’s mind. This visual detail was suggested by Sir Ian McKellen, who played Gandalf. Director Peter Jackson explained that McKellen wanted to highlight a connection between the two characters, suggesting Gandalf could be seen as a different kind of influence. While writer Philippa Boyens pointed out that Gandalf convinced Théoden through persuasion, not manipulation, Jackson countered that it depended on how you looked at it. Boyens admitted the realization changed her perception of Gandalf forever.

Gandalf Was a Complex Character in The Lord of the Rings

Gandalf often had to nudge people in the right direction in The Lord of the Rings. While Théoden was free from Saruman’s control, he was still deeply troubled by his son’s death and worried about Rohan’s future. He avoided any risks, not realizing that doing nothing would only help Saruman and ultimately destroy his kingdom. Gandalf was willing to guide Théoden, even by subtly influencing him, to save Rohan. He did something similar with his hobbit companions, Bilbo and Frodo. They were happy with their quiet lives in the Shire, but Gandalf understood their journeys were vital for Middle-earth. Instead of ordering them to leave, he skillfully persuaded them to embark on their adventures. A lighter example of Gandalf’s influence can be seen in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

The idea of controlling people, even with good intentions, can easily become corrupted, as seen with Saruman. However, Saruman lost his empathy and became self-serving, unlike Gandalf, who remained kind and selfless. Gandalf understood the sacrifices he asked of people like Théoden and Frodo and always tried to help them. He even gave his life on the Bridge of Khazad-dûm in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring. While Wormtongue whispered evil advice to Théoden, Gandalf was a guiding force for good, encouraging him to work for the benefit of Middle-earth.

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2025-11-14 02:07