Rings of Power's Big Canon Change Makes The LOTR Prequel We Really Wanted Impossible

Published Jan 11, 2025

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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power significantly changed a particular character, making it unlikely that their proper prequel story will ever be adapted. Of course, it would have been difficult for the Prime Video series to entirely avoid making changes to canon. Tolkien's works set before Frodo's story are written more like textbooks than novels, making a literal adaptation impossible. If Middle-earth's Second Age events were to be brought to the screen, changes are a must. Still, it's a bit disappointing that Rings of Power's adjustments have now limited potential future movies.

In the case of Rings of Power season 2, one of the most significant changes revolved around the wizard Gandalf. The series officially confirmed that the Sauron made the Rings of Power). Of course, if Rings of Power hadn't made this change, Gandalf would have had to be left out of the series entirely. As one of the most critical figures in Sauron's defeat, it makes sense that Prime Video would want to include Gandalf. Still, there's a downside.

Rings Of Power's Stranger Makes A Proper Gandalf Prequel Unlikely

Rings Of Power Called Dibs To A Story Outside Its Territory

The-Stranger's-Identity-In-The-Rings-of-Power-Season-2-Explained — Custom Image By Yailin Chacon

Before coming to Middle-earth, Gandalf was a beautiful Maia named Olórin. He was essentially an angel, and his life in Valinor revolved around learning comion and wisdom from the demigod-like Valar. He was reluctant to come to Middle-earth as a wizard because he feared facing Sauron. However, he was nudged out the door by the Valar and began a long, fantastic journey in Third Age Middle-earth. A Lord of the Rings movie that features this story and Gandalf as the central protagonist would have been fantastic. However, it seems unlikely now.

While Rings of Power is adapting part of Gandalf's story, it has been significantly altered. His first introduction to Hobbits has been shifted, and Gandalf's tale only picks up after his arrival in Middle-earth. While Warner Bros could still technically make a proper Gandalf prequel, it would be in direct competition with this aspect of Rings of Power. In a sense, Prime Video has called unofficial dibs on Gandalf's story. If a different, more canon-faithful version of the tale were ever to make it to the screen, it would have to happen long enough after Rings of Power's ending to justify a fresh start.

Rings of Power could tell Gandalf's full story through flashbacks, but this isn't as effective as a prequel series focused entirely on the character's canon tale.

Gandalf's Full Story Perfectly Reflects The Themes Of Lord Of The Rings

A True Gandalf Prequel Would Be A Poetic Continuation Of The LOTR Movie Franchise

A Gandalf prequel movie would have been an excellent next step for the Lord of the Rings franchise, not only because he is a beloved character with an interesting story but because his adventure perfectly reflects its overarching themes. The whole point of Bilbo and Frodo's adventures is that they were the least likely of heroes. In Bilbo's case, he didn't even initially want to leave the comfort and safety of his home. Gandalf had to push him out the door, and the little hobbit's adventures were pivotal in Sauron's downfall. Intriguingly, this is precisely what happened to Gandalf.

Gandalf gave Bilbo the same sort of push the Valar gave him.

Gandalf hadn't wanted to leave the safety and light of Valinor, but the Valar knew he had an important destiny to fulfill. Then, in Middle-earth, Gandalf gave Bilbo the same sort of push the Valar gave him. Frodo's adventure in The Lord of the Rings continues this idea of reluctant destiny, and he, Bilbo, and Gandalf traveling to Valinor together brings the story full circle. A Gandalf prequel would be a deliciously poetic extension of the Lord of the Rings franchise, but Rings of Power has so far missed these meaningful parallels. If it doesn't make up for it in future seasons, the chance may be lost for years.

Even Without Rings Of Power, A Gandalf Prequel Might Have Been Difficult

Parts Of Gandalf's Story Would Be Challenging To Adapt

Daniel Weyman as the Stranger in The Rings of Power and Ian McKellen as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings on his right.

ittedly, Gandalf's full story would have been difficult to adapt into a movie, even if Rings of Power hadn't arrived first. The Maia Olórin is among the oldest beings in the Universe, created by the Lord of the Rings god Eru Ilúvatar. The details of this are described mainly in Tolkien's posthumous Silmarillion, and the rights to this are held by the author's estate. Warner Bros, New Line Cinema, and Amazon do not have the rights to this book, which makes adapting the stories within difficult.

J.R.R Tolkien book covers including The Silmarillion, The Hobbit, and The Fellowship of the RIng

How To Read J.R.R. Tolkien's Lord Of The Rings Books In Order: Chronological & Release Date

J.R.R. Tolkien wrote more than just The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings, but his Middle-earth books weren't released in chronological order.

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Prime Video has been able to get around the rights limitations by utilizing the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, which dives into some of the more ancient events of Middle-earth. Still, it's not perfect. Some characters, places, and stories aren't mentioned between these pages, so they can't be adapted to the screen. While the Appendices of The Lord of the Rings do mention pieces of Gandalf's story, there are a lot of holes to work around. Still, there might have been a way to make this work, but Rings of Power got there first.