Top 10 Differences Between The LOTR Movies and The Rings of Power

Peter Jackson’s films take place during the the Third Age of Middle-earth. This period began after Sauron was defeated by The Last Alliance of Elves and Men - think the prologue of “The Fellowship of the Ring.” It ended with his final defeat, and the departure of the ring-bearers from Middle-earth. “The Rings of Power”, however, is set earlier, in the Second Age. This began with the fall of Morgoth, and is characterized by the rise of his lieutenant, Sauron, and the forging of the rings. In contrast to Jackson’s films, “The Rings of Power” covers thousands of years of history; that timeline has been compressed to create a continuous narrative.

Peter Jackson’s trilogies adapted “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings”, although he took notable creative liberties with the former in particular. While both books have the detailed narratives of novels, Tolkien’s other works, such as “The Silmarillion” and “Unfinished Tales” are more collections of stories, with an almost biblical tone. Some of this material made it into the appendices of “The Lord of the Rings”. Unable to secure the rights to “The Silmarillion”, Amazon based “The Rings of Power” on these appendices. There are a lot of gaps between major events, which the writers have filled with a more or less original story. You might notice however that the production design is very similar to the films. That’s in part thanks to legendary illustrator John Howe, who served as conceptual designer on both the movies and show.

There is a lot of debate around representation in fantasy. It’s sometimes argued that Tolkien wanted to create ‘a mythology for England’, although this is not a quote from Tolkien; such an intention was at most implied in his letters. Of course, myths, by nature, are living stories that change to reflect the times. “The Lord of the Rings” movies feature various fantasy races; humans, elves, dwarves, hobbits, and wizards; all of whom are white. The only actors of color with lines portray Orcs. There are some great female characters (three), but mostly, it’s a story about men. “The Rings of Power” changes this up. Galadriel is a central character. Lenny Henry portrays a Harfoot elder; Cynthia Addai-Robinson plays Númenórian Queen Regent Míriel; Sophia Nomvete plays dwarven princess Disa; and Ismael Cruz Córdova plays the Silvan elf Arondir.

When you hear the name ‘Sauron’, what first springs to mind might be the fiery eyeball depicted in Peter Jackson’s “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy. In the prologue of “Fellowship” we also see Sauron in armor, towering over his mortal foes. He has a similar appearance in the first episode of “The Rings of Power”. However, after Morgoth’s defeat, Sauron seemingly disappears. As the books describe, when he returns, he’s “not yet evil to behold”, and ensnares the Elves in his machinations, manipulating them into forging the rings of power. This means he takes on a very different appearance in the show.

In Peter Jackson’s films, the elves mostly keep to themselves and are preparing to leave Middle-earth for Valinor. In “The Rings of Power” they still rule the roost and tensions simmer between Elves and Men. The Elves’ distrust is rooted in the war against Morgoth, in which many from the East and South sided with the Enemy. Naturally, Men resent being painted with the same brush as their ancestors. The relationship between Legolas and Gimli in “The Lord of the Rings” also established that Elves and Dwarves don’t usually get along. While suspicions are still high in “The Rings of Power”, Elrond’s friendship with Prince Durin IV creates a bridge between their races.

“The Lord of the Rings” sees the Fellowship enter the Mines of Moria, a name that means ‘The Black Pit’. It was once the great Dwarven kingdom of Khazad-dûm, until the dwarves awoke a Balrog and were forced to abandon their city. Gimli expects to find a welcome there from his cousin Balin, who had ventured out to reclaim the halls and restore them to their former glory. But once inside, the Fellowship finds only horror and death. In “The Rings of Power” we get to see Khazad-dûm in all its splendor, at the height of its glory. With roaring waterfalls, working mines, twinkling lights and lush greenery, it’s very different from the place where Balin met his end.

Gandalf is one of the most iconic characters from “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings”, and played a key role in the War of the Ring. Other wizards in the Third Age include their corrupt leader Saruman, and Radagast. Also called the Istari, these wizards are Maiar, divine spirits that also included Sauron. Tolkien described them as arriving in Middle-earth during the Third Age. However, in later writings, he suggested that two Istari, called the Blue Wizards, arrived in the Second Age. In “The Rings of Power”, the Stranger, played by actor Daniel Weyman, seems to be one of the Maiar, although as of writing, the show hasn’t revealed his identity.

Only a few characters from Peter Jackson’s films also appear in “The Rings of Power”. Robert Aramayo plays a younger, less cynical Elrond, replacing Hugo Weaving, and Galadriel has had an even bigger transformation. Cate Blanchett’s Lady of Lothlorien was soft spoken and ethereal, while Morfydd Clark’s version is a warrior and commander. While Tolkien didn’t focus on her as a warrior, he did describe her as “of Amazon disposition” in her youth, strong and athletic. Her nickname was Nerwen, meaning "Man-maiden", and she “fought heroically” in battle. Clark captures something of Blanchett’s portrayal, but her Galadriel, who is some five thousand years younger, is more flawed, impulsive, and less removed from the world. She’s a leading lady, rather than a supporting role.

At the beginning of Peter Jackson’s films, the men of the West reside mostly in the lands of Rohan and Gondor. Rohan is ruled by King Theoden, and Gondor is under the protection of a line of Stewards. The true king, Aragorn, is of the blood of Númenor, but has not yet returned to reclaim the throne. In “The Rings of Power” Rohan and Gondor are not yet founded. Aragorn’s ancestors still live on the island of Númenor, which we finally get to see on screen … but which is due a dramatic fall from grace. In the Southlands, Mordor hasn’t yet been established. The land is still green, inhabited by Men and watched over by the Elves. But the Orcs are beginning to move in ...

The Men of Middle Earth are not the only race to have moved about the map. By the time Peter Jackson’s films begin, the Elves have built Rivendell, the dwarves have abandoned Khazad-dûm, and the Hobbits have settled in the Shire and the lands around. Hobbits are traditionally an unadventurous people, but their ancestors migrated all the way from the other side of the Misty Mountains. They were divided into Harfoots, Stoors, and Fallohides, but Harfoot traits came to dominate. They’re described as “browner of skin” and beardless. According to Tolkien, Harfoots were the first to reach Eriador - the land where the Shire was founded.