Who is Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power? Rory Kinnear character explained

Who is Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power? Rory Kinnear character explained

As a movie enthusiast who has been following Tolkien’s world since I was just a hobbit-sized kid, I am beyond excited about the introduction of Tom Bombadil in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. This enigmatic figure has always intrigued me, much like the way Gollum is fascinated by shiny things but cannot resist sticking his filthy fingers into them.


Among the intriguing new elements anticipated in season 2 of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is the unveiling of Tom Bombadil, a colossal character from J.R.R. Tolkien’s lore, who remains enshrouded in mystery and debate.

Earlier this year, it became known that the enigmatic character of Bombadil will make his screen debut, portrayed by the talented British actor Rory Kinnear.

From the trailers, it appears that Bombadil may have a part to play in The Stranger and Nori’s trek to Rhûn; however, the extent of his presence in season 2 is still uncertain.

Read on for everything you need to know about Tom Bombadil.

Who is Tom Bombadil?

Who is Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power? Rory Kinnear character explained

As a die-hard fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic masterpiece, I’ve often pondered over a question that has left readers in a quandary since the very first page was turned – a question without a definitive answer.

His ancestry remains undisclosed, yet it’s clear that he’s extremely ancient, perhaps even older than any other life form known to exist within the realm of Arda (Earth), with some speculating he was its very first inhabitant.

In the novel, Bombadil introduces himself as “The Eldest… For Tom recalls the very first raindrop and the initial acorn that fell… He was aware of the darkness beneath the stars, a fearlessness that existed before the Arrival of the Dark Lord (Morgoth) from Beyond.”

Elrond remarked, “Yet, it seems Bombadil has escaped my memory, if indeed this is the same being who once roamed the woods and hills, and even back then, was ancient beyond age. At that time, he went by another name – Iarwain Ben-adar, the ageless and parentless one.”

Although there’s ongoing discussion among Tolkien enthusiasts regarding his background, we possess a bit more insight into his talents and interactions within the surrounding environment.

The fact that Tom Bombadil is the eldest entity throughout Arda suggests he holds the ability to live forever, or in other words, he’s immortal.

His singing serves as his most potent source of power; it enables him to command respect from formidable entities like Old Man Willow and the Barrow-wights, who possess significant strength on their own.

Who plays Tom Bombadil in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power?

Who is Tom Bombadil in Rings of Power? Rory Kinnear character explained

In The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, the character Tom Bombadil is played by talented English actor Rory Kinnear.

In four out of the five movies featuring Daniel Craig as James Bond, Kinnear portrayed Tanner, a high-ranking officer under M. Moreover, he gained recognition for his role as Prime Minister Michael Callow in the very first episode of the series “Black Mirror.”

As a devoted cinephile, I’ve always admired the versatility of actors like Kinnear. Though he hasn’t delved much into the realm of fantasy in his previous works, an intriguing interview with Sarfraz Mansoor at TopMob magazine revealed that he yearns to explore uncharted territories and challenge himself with new roles.

“I enjoy trying out new experiences, whether it’s working on action movies, sitcoms in a studio setting, or dramatic TV shows or plays by Shakespeare. However, I’ve never ventured into the realm of fantasy productions before. To be honest, I’ve never quite grasped it – it hasn’t been something that particularly appealed to me.”

Speaking with TopMob, Kinnear expressed his attraction to the character of Tom Bombadil, saying, “He exudes a cheerful optimism, but there’s an underlying feeling that he’s witnessed all of life and every event that came before – giving him a sense of what will happen in the future as well.”

What is his role in the books?

In their journey beyond the borders of the Shire, Frodo and his fellow hobbits cross paths with Bombadil, an enigmatic figure they meet after having trouble with Old Man Willow, a mischievous tree spirit harboring ill intentions.

Frodo seeks aid, encountering Bombadil who orders a tree to free its captives. Later, he invites the party to spend a couple of nights at his home.

In the course of this surreal sojourn, Frodo unwittingly reveals to Bombadil every detail about the ring he bears – the One Ring – and his mission to bring it to Rivendell.

In a nonchalant manner, Frodo willingly hands over the One Ring, an action he had not exhibited towards others inquisitive about his ownership of it before.

From thereon, Bombadil takes the One Ring and wears it, yet it holds no influence over him at all, leaving both Frodo and readers puzzled. Moreover, he informs Frodo that when the Hobbit dons the Ring, its ability to render one invisible doesn’t conceal him from Bombadil’s sight.

What is his role in the Peter Jackson film series?

Instead of saying “In short – he doesn’t have one,” you could paraphrase it as “Ultimately, he chose not to appear in any roles for the character in his movies.” This maintains the original meaning while using more natural and easy-to-read language.

As a cinephile, I found myself explaining away his absence by pointing out that Bombadil’s narrative significance isn’t profound within the broader tale being unfolded. Introducing him and developing his character might actually detract from the movies instead of enhancing them.

“Get ready for the second season of The Rings of Power, premiering on Amazon Prime Video on August 29th! If you’re not already a member, you can take advantage of a 30-day free trial now.”

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2024-08-29 10:40