The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powerhas been utilizing mysteries as a plot device since season 1, andnow the Dark Wizard remains its biggest enigma, with one identity theory makingThe Hobbitdarker. WithRings of Powerseason 1focusing on which character is Sauron and season 2 deliberating on the Stranger’s identity, it will be up to season 3 to finally confirm who the Dark Wizard is. Season 2 teases a few different identities for the Dark Wizard, and one theory is gathering momentum — but it leavesThe Hobbitin a surprising place.
Rings of Poweronly relates to the Jackson movies insofar as they access the same source material, but they have little to do with each other.The Rings of Powerseason 3isn’t obliged to maintain Jackson’s logic, although many of the show’s stylistic choices subtly celebrate the movies' formative influence (the cinematographic references to the Eye of Sauron, for instance). Therefore, the showrunners are well aware of how characters likethe Dark Wizard could affect future viewings of movies likeThe Hobbit,making one theory an exciting addition to this multi-franchiseLotRworld.
The Rings Of Power’s Dark Wizard Must Be Saruman, A Blue Wizard… Or Radagast
The Dark Wizard Is An Istar And Isn’t Gandalf
The Rings of Powerseason 2confirms that its Dark Wizard character is one of the Istari, andone theory posits the Dark Wizard is Radagast, a character important inThe Hobbit.The Rings of Powerand the movies both have rights to adaptThe HobbitandThe Lord of the Rings, so there is no reason why they can’t each have their own version of Radagast. If the Dark Wizard is Radagast, he would be diverging heavily from the books and the movies, bringing disturbing new associations when rewatching or re-readingThe Hobbit.
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The Rings of Poweris only allowed to coverthe Second Age of Middle-earthin its Amazon deal, removing the chance of crossover with Jackson’s works. Meanwhile, the Jackson movies are set centuries later, in the Third Age. Naturally, immortals like the five Istari can exist in both ages. WithRings of Powerseason 2confirming that the Stranger is Gandalf, the Blue Wizards a mystery, and Saruman problematic,Radagast remains a candidate for the Dark Wizard. Being the Dark Wizard in the show would portray the bumbling, harmless Radagast ofThe Hobbitin a new light.
Radagast Being The Dark Wizard Would Explain Why He Hardly Gets Involved In LOTR
A Dark Past Could Explain Radagast’s Passivity In LOTR
Disregarding Jackson’s logic, which is completely separate, if Radagast dabbled in dark magic in the Second Age, that may explain his detachment from the War of the Ring.The Dark Wizard inThe Rings of Poweris definitely being painted as a few steps away from Sauron’s corrupt, Machiavellian pursuit of power.If the Dark Wizard is Radagast, he will inevitably step away from his crueltyand turn once again “to the light.” However, a former dalliance with darkness would explain his reluctance to get involved with it again in the Third Age.
Tolkien said inLord of the Ringsthat the five Istari arrived around 1,000 years into the Third Age, while complicating this slightly in other versions of the story.The Rings of Powerbrought Gandalf, and so far, one other Istar (the Dark Wizard) to Middle-earth in the Second Age. However, this timeline shift has no major ramifications for future events.
The Dark Wizard’s manslaughter of Brânk for incompetence reveals his violence and tyranny, both of which signposted Morgoth’s path.Morgoth was defeated in the First Age, but even without his influence, the Dark Wizard could be prone to similar errors — especially if he’s a Blue Wizard, who Tolkien speculated may have started dark cults in the east. Alternatively,the Dark Wizard could be an early version of Radagastat a low point. If so, perhaps he remains neutral in the Third Age to avoid slipping back into evil through corrupting powers like the One Ring.
Gandalf Turning Radagast Away From Evil Could Be The Start Of Their Friendship
Rings Of Power Could Show Gandalf And Radagast Meeting
IfRings of Power’sDark Wizardis Radagast, then the show is offering up an origin story for their friendship. That would make sense in the context of the show and allow it a genuinely surprising twist. While Saruman may be the first assumption for many as to the Dark Wizard’s identity, there are several reasons that doesn’t make sense. Meanwhile, the Blue Wizards are an obvious choice for the eastern cult leader. However,a surprise Radagast appearance could delight viewersand set up an even more delightful friendship.
Introducing Radagast would giveRings of Powera popular character whose dynamic with Gandalf in the Second Age is unexplored, allowing for creative invention on the show’s part.
If it is Radagast who Gandalf is interacting with in the show, then viewers will get to watch their relationship develop from its start. This could set up all sorts of Easter eggs forThe Hobbitbook and movies, as well as Tolkien’s wider lore.Radagast and Gandalf’s historical friendship isn’t detailedinThe Lord of the Ringsmovies, nor is it overly explained in the books. Introducing Radagast would giveRings of Powera popular character whose dynamic with Gandalf in the Second Age is unexplored, allowing for creative invention on the show’s part.
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Given howThe Rings of Poweris already expanding the characterization ofLord of the Ringscharacters like Sauron and Gandalf,it wouldn’t be surprising to see it do the same for Radagast. While Saruman is another character from Tolkien’s Third Age story who could use a deeper backstory, he doesn’t make as much sense as the Dark Wizard.
The Rings Of Power’s Dark Wizard Being Radagast Would Make More Sense Than Saruman
The Dark Wizard Can’t Be Saruman
There is a theory circulating online and inThe Rings of Powerfandom thatthe Dark Wizard is Istar Saruman, but it makes more sense for the Dark Wizard to be a Blue Wizard or Radagast. Although there is a convincing case for the Dark Wizard to be one of the Blues, there is no reason why he couldn’t be Maia Radagast. However,the least logical Istar for the Dark Wizard to be is Saruman. The Dark Wizard being Saruman makes no sense because if Gandalf knew that he was prone to evil, he would suspect his deception sooner inLotR.
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Although the show is under no obligation to adhere to the movies, it has generally respected the story ahead in Tolkien’s books. If it suggests that the Dark Wizard is Saruman,the show will be raising the question of why Gandalf didn’t consider Saruman’s foul play soonerin the Third Age.The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Powercan’t tell Third Age stories and won’t be able to answer that question. Therefore, it’s very unlikely it would raise it in the first place. That makes Radagast a better identity for the mysterious Dark Wizard.
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power
Cast
Set in the Second Age of Middle-earth, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power explores the forging of the iconic rings, the rise of the Dark Lord Sauron, and the epic events leading up to the stories in J.R.R. Tolkien’s classic novels. The series chronicles the creation of legendary characters and the historic alliances and rivalries that shape the fate of Middle-earth.
