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Quick LinksSam Did Not Want to Use the One Ring's PowerThe One Ring Tempted Sam With Power and GloryNot Even the One Ring Could Corrupt Sam's SpiritTolkien Imagined Sam as the "Chief Hero" of His StoryHobbits are Humbly Heroic In the World of The Lord of the Rings

Near the end of The Fellowship of the Ring from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, Frodo Baggins made the difficult decision to part ways with the rest of the Fellowship. The One Ring's corrupting influence had caused Boromir to attack him at Amon Hen, and he feared that it would do the same to his other companions. He thought it was safer for himself and Middle-earth if he carried out the rest of his quest alone. But try as he might, he could not leave his stalwart friend Samwise Gamgee behind. They traveled together for months during The Lord of the Rings,...

Quick LinksDior Inherited a Legendary Artifact -- And it Led to His DemiseDior's Descendants Were Vital to Middle-earth's History

In J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings, the Half-elven -- or Peredhil, as they were called in the Elvish language of Sindarin -- were some of Middle-earth's most important characters. From Elrond, who ruled the Elven realm of Rivendell, to his father Eärendil, who convinced the Valar to help defeat the Dark Lord Morgoth in the War of Wrath, they were instrumental to the history of Tolkien's legendarium. But this was not the case for Elrond's grandfather, Dior, the first of the Half-elven. Though he was born into a life of luxury and had the makings of a hero, his life was cut short by Galadriel's cousins.

Dior was the son of Beren and Lúthien, who were the first examples of a mortal Man marrying an immortal Elf.

L.J. Smith, the author of the famous novel The Vampire Diaries, died at the age of 66 on March 8, 2025, in Walnut Creek. Smith was suffering from a rare autoimmune disease for over a decade, which eventually took her life. Born as Lisa Jane Smith on September 4, 1958, the author was inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien and C.S. Lewis to model her pen name as L.J. Smith.

A still from The Vampire Diaries | Credit: CW Network

Her book The Vampire Diaries was one of the most famous fantasy fiction among young adults, which was later adapted into a TV series. After earning her bachelor’s degree in experimental psychology at the University of California, she taught in a kindergarten and special education for several years before she finally chose writing as her profession. Want to learn more about the author of The Vampire Diaries? Let’s take a look.

How did L.J.

Quick LinksThe Last Alliance of Elves and Men Did Not Expect to Survive the WarThe Elves Lacked Unity After the War of the Last AllianceThe Last Alliance Was a Reminder of Middle-earth's Mythic Past

Before the War of the Ring from The Lord of the Rings, the last major conflict in Middle-earth was the War of the Last Alliance, which Peter Jackson depicted in the prologue of his The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring film. As described in J. R. R. Tolkien's novels, the Last Alliance of Elves and Men was formed in response to the Dark Lord Sauron attacking Osgiliath in the year 3429 of the Second Age. Though Gondor was a mighty civilization at the time, Isildur knew that he would not be able to defeat Sauron without help. So, while his brother remained behind to defend the kingdom, Isildur set out to gather aid.

Quick LinksTolkien and Faramir Had Some of the Same PassionsTolkien Used Faramir to Communicate His Beliefs About WarFaramir's Role in The Lord of the Rings Came as a Surprise to Tolkien

J. R. R. Tolkien was adamant that The Lord of the Rings was not an allegory, but this did not preclude him from drawing upon his life experiences when writing his fantasy epics; he made a distinction between taking inspiration from the real world and directly copying it. Many of the characters in The Lord of the Rings and the rest of Tolkien's legendarium were inspired by people whom he personally knew. For example, Arwen and her ancestor, Lúthien, were modeled after Tolkien's wife, Edith. Like her, they had fair skin, gray eyes, and dark hair, and Tolkien wrote that Lúthien was the most beautiful of all Elves. Another example was Treebeard, whose booming voice was inspired by that...

Quick LinksThe Fall of the Westfold Nearly Spelled Doom for RohanGondor Had Good Reasons Not to Help RohanThéoden's Selflessness Saved Middle-earthWhat Happened to Gondor and Rohan After The Lord of the Rings?

In Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy, the kingdoms of Gondor and Rohan had a fraught dynamic. They were once close allies, as the land of Rohan had been a gift from the Steward of Gondor to the Rohirrim's ancestors. The nations were honor bound by the Oath of Eorl to help each other in times of need, and they did so many times throughout Middle-earth's history. However, in a deviation from J. R. R. Tolkien's novel, their alliance started to crumble during the War of the Ring.

In The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, Aragorn implores King Théoden to ask for Gondor's help in fighting Saruman's forces, to which Théoden angrily replies,...

Quick LinksMerry and Pippin Were Not Granted Access to the Undying LandsMerry and Pippin Grew Attached to Middle-earth

At the end of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, Frodo, and Bilbo Baggins join Gandalf and the Elves on their voyage to the Undying Lands, a beautiful utopia where they can live out the rest of their days in peace. It was a well-deserved respite after all that they had gone through. J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings novel revealed that Samwise Gamgee eventually went to the Undying Lands as well; once his children grew up and his wife, Rosie Cotton, passed away, he joined Frodo and Bilbo on the other side of the Great Sea.

Yet the reunion was not complete, for The Lord of the Rings’ other main hobbits, Meriadoc Brandybuck and Peregrin Took never made the journey.

Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy is a cinematic masterpiece, but let’s be real, adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s dense, lore-packed novels was like trying to fit a dragon into a hobbit hole. Naturally, some characters got the axe, and if you’ve only seen the movies, you might be blissfully unaware of their existence.

That’s right, Middle-earth is teeming with fascinating figures who never made it past the cutting room floor. Some were too weird, some weren’t essential to the plot, and some were probably just too much of a headache to bring to life on screen.

Goldberry, Prince Imrahil, and Glorfindel from The Lord of the Rings books

Take poor old Tom Bombadil, the ultimate forest hippie, singing his way through life without a care in the world. Or Gildor Inglorion, the Elf who could’ve given Frodo some crucial early warnings. And...

Quick LinksGardeners Have a Significant Place in LiteratureBeing a Gardener Proves Sam is Even More HeroicSam Used His Skill as a Gardener to Restore the Shire

Each character in The Lord of the Ringshas their place in the narrative. There's a reason behind all of them being part of it, but there's one in particular whose role is actually more important than fans might realize. When it came to the Fellowship, their backstories all played into their journey to Mordor. Aragorn's leadership skills were indicative of his royal heritage. Gandalf, along with four other Wizards, was sent to Middle-earth to fight against Sauron, which was evident in his wisdom and guidance. Collaboratively, they were able to use their strengths to assist Frodo in destroying the One Ring.

When it came to the Hobbits that joined Frodo, they didn't have special skills that had prepared them for what they would face.

Quick LinksArwen Gave Aragorn the Strength to Carry On in The Lord of the RingsAragorn's Cliff Fall Was a Major Deviation From the Novel

Unlike the previous film, Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers did not kill off any members of the Fellowship, but for a moment, it seemed as if it did. As Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli accompanied the Rohirrim on their journey from Edoras to Helm's Deep, they were ambushed by a band of Orcs riding ferocious beasts known as Wargs. Aragorn killed the Warg-riders' leader, Sharkû, but in the process, his arm became snared in the Warg's saddle. Without its rider, the Warg barreled out of control towards the edge of a nearby cliff. It ran over the precipice, dragging Aragorn with it, and they both plummeted into a river far below. After the battle, Legolas and Gimli questioned a dying Sharkû about what happened to Aragorn.

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The "Lord of the Rings" franchise is still going strong, with "The Rings of Power" being one of the most expensive series in history and "The War of Rohirrim" providing an anime take on one of Middle-earth's bloodiest battles. Elsewhere, fans can also look forward to Andy Serkis' "The Hunt for Gollum," which will see the actor direct a story about the character he portrayed in Peter Jackson's original "Lord of the Rings" trilogy and "The Hobbit" movies. However, while those projects are worthwhile additions to the canon, future "Lord of the Rings" movies should take cues from J.R.R. Tolkien's abandoned sequel, "The New Shadow," which takes place during the Fourth Age, 100+ years after the War of the Ring, and explores man-made darkness. 

Tolkien's sequel was informed by real-world history and a cynical view of humankind. In his mind,...

The Wheel of Time has been an epic undertaking for Prime Video. Adapting the long-running fantasy book series begun by the late Robert Jordan and finished by Brandon Sanderson, the show takes place in a world where women are able to wield the mystical One Power. Young Rand al'Thor is the rare man who can channel. He is the Dragon Reborn, a legendary figure who can either save or destroy the world.

The Wheel of Time is one of the latest in the long run of fantasy shows on TV, which means there's plenty more like it to check out. These 15 shows can appeal to The Wheel of Time fans and are worth checking out!

Credit: Courtesy of Prime Video. Copyright: Amazon MGM Studios 1. The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power

Let's start with the obvious choice, another show on Prime Video based on an epic fantasy franchise.

Quick LinksThe Witch-king Would Have Attacked Frodo and Sam After the One Ring's DestructionA Different Hobbit Played a Part in the Witch-king's Defeat

One of the most iconic scenes in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King was the death of the Witch-king of Angmar. During the Battle of the Pelennor Fields, he and his fell beast steed seemed unstoppable, but when they tried to finish off the mortally wounded King Théoden, his niece Éowyn stepped in to defend him. She decapitated the fell beast and dueled the Lord of the Nazgûl in single combat. The Witch-king taunted, "No man can kill me." Whipping off her helmet, Éowyn replied, "I am no man." With a yell, she stabbed the Witch-king in his unseen face, killing him.

Aside from a few details, this scene played out in much the same way as it did in...

The Council of Elrond from The Lord of the Rings was a meeting between representatives of some of Middle-earth's many cultures to decide the fate of the One Ring. In J. R. R. Tolkien's novel, fate brought them together in Rivendell, while in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring film, Elrond specifically summoned them. Either way, travelers from far and wide converged upon the Elven realm. The representative of Gondor was Boromir, the eldest son of Denethor II, the Steward of Gondor. Boromir argued that the One Ring should be used as a weapon against the Dark Lord Sauron. He was overruled, but he still joined the Fellowship and set out on the quest to destroy the One Ring. Boromir's strength and bravery made him a valuable ally, but the temptation of the One Ring was too great for him. At Amon Hen,...

Widely considered to be the most seminal work of the modern high fantasy genre, J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings is home to many creatures, ranging from graceful and magical elves to terrifying monsters, both seen and unseen. The exploration, depiction, and design of these occasionally mysterious entities helped turn Tolkien's world into one of the most immersive stories in fiction. Peter Jackson's trilogies of Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit brought many of these creatures to life for the big screen.

The various creatures of Tolkien's legendarium range from mighty demons to lumbering trolls, but all have deadly potential when faced with the other races of Middle-earth. Moreover, these beings are as much a part of the appeal of the iconic fantasy franchise as its heroes. Whether they were created evil or twisted into a darker form of their past self, the monsters of J.

Peter Jackson's Lord of the Ringsmovies are a fairly faithful adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's novels, yet there were some characters and events that Jackson left out, even from the extended editions. The mysterious yet powerful Tom Bombadil was omitted from Jackson's films, and well as the Scouring of the Shire, which is one of the biggest events of the original trilogy. In Jackson's defense, he did manage to get the major story beats of Lord of the Rings into his movies while also capturing the spirit of what made Tolkien's books an amazing reading experience. Yet there's one scene from Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ringthat Jackson left out, and it's baffling given what happens in the books.

Quick LinksThe One Ring Would Have Brought Out the Worst in ThorinSauron Knew More About Erebor Than the ShireThorin Could Not Have Defeated Sauron With the One Ring

Both in J. R. R. Tolkien's The Hobbit novel and in Peter Jackson's trilogy of film adaptations, Thorin II Oakenshield was obsessed with the treasure of Erebor, particularly the Arkenstone. This was partially a matter of Dwarven pride, as the Arkenstone was a symbol of the royal line of Durin's Folk, but Thorin also succumbed to simple greed. He would sooner go to war with the Men of Dale and the Elves of the Woodland Realm than part with a single piece of his vast treasure trove, even though it was a Man of Dale who had slain Smaug and allowed the Dwarves to reclaim their homeland. Though the Arkenstone was his primary focus, there was something even more...

The Lord of the Ringsmovies captured the essence of J.R.R. Tolkien's writing, but it was unfeasible for Peter Jackson to include every detail. As such, one of the best character arcs had to be left out. As well as getting to Mordor, the main characters of the story all have a personal journey to go on. Frodo's is one of perseverance and bravery, battling through the unpredictable dangers that await. In Aragorn's case, he had to find the courage to become King, all the while defending Frodo and Middle-earth against some of the most heinous creatures.

Tolkien expanded Bilbo's story with relatives that caused him a lot of trouble. In the movies, viewers get to see the adventures he went on and how they changed his life, but there's not a lot of detailed information about his family. Like the Fellowship, one particular relative went on...

With the masterfully detailed novels by J.R.R. Tolkien as an invaluable resource to build on, The Lord of the Rings movies provided viewers with a cast of scintillating characters that brought the story of Middle-earth to life. Among them, Aragorn, played by Viggo Mortensen, delivered memorable lines in various scenes that gave viewers a real sense of his character.

The ranger destined to be king has a level-headed view of the journey Frodo and his companions set out on. He can give sound advice, intimidate with words of warning, or soften his tone with romantic dialogue. Whatever the scene, Aragorn seemingly knows what to say with some of his best quotes.

Updated by Jordan Iacobucci on March 18, 2025: With new Lord of the Rings spinoffs on the way, including The War of the Rohirrim and The Hunt for Gollum, fans are hoping to see more of Viggo Mortensen's Aragorn, the King of Gondor.

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings Trilogy is one of the most brilliant masterworks of cinema ever released. It's a bold and ambitious fantasy epic that is lauded for effectively balancing emotional character arcs and complex storytelling. The grand scope of the trilogy is full of substance for fans of the genre but also for fans of cinema in general. Despite all its praise, awards and iconic immortality, it's not often discussed just how well the trilogy blends multiple genres.

The Lord of the Rings is one of the greatest adventure tales in literature and cinema. It is also a masterclass in visual effects, set design, hair and make-up and just about every aspect of movie magic. However, J.R.R. Tolkien and Peter Jackson deserve a ton of credit for the world-building envisioned and then eventually brought to life on screen. This fantasy universe brings multiple genres to the forefront,...

Quick LinksMiruvor Helped The Lord of the Rings' Heroes Endure the Bitter ColdMiruvor Had Divine Origins in The Lord of the Rings

The heroes of The Lord of the Rings faced countless dangers on their quest across Middle-earth. They were hunted by the monstrous forces of Sauron and Saruman, they needed to navigate treacherous terrain like the Dead Marshes and Cirith Ungol, and the magical influence of the One Ring threatened to turn them against one another. Yet they also needed to contend with more mundane survival aspects, such as finding food. In this regard, the Elves of Lothlórien were invaluable allies. Galadriel gave the Fellowship a supply of lembas bread. As Legolas explained in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring film, “one small bite” could “fill the stomach of a grown man.”

The members of the Fellowship -- especially Frodo and Sam...

Quick LinksEarly Drafts Included Merry and Pippin Listening to Gandalf and Frodo's ConversationJackson Felt Pippin and Merry's Book Introductions Lacked Momentum for the TrilogyMerry and Pippin Were Inexperienced but Proved to be Crucial to Saving Middle-earth

Obviously, Peter Jackson and the creators of The Lord of the Ringstrilogy couldn't directly lift every element of the pages of J.R.R. Tolkien's work and put it on screen. By turning his writings into films, some parts had to be cut, which included very different introductions for two of the trilogy's best characters. In the films, each core character is given their moment to establish who they are and their relevance to the narrative. With Wizards, Elves, Dwarves, Hobbits and Men involved, viewers needed succinct, clear scenes to ensure they were all memorable in their individual ways.

Some parts of the story simply weren't a requisite for explaining Frodo's journey to destroying the One Ring.

There are many monsters in The Lord of the Rings, from the Balrog that Gandalf (Ian McKellen) fights to Shelob, the giant spider. Yet one stands out as being more mysterious than the rest. The Watcher in the Water guards the doors to the Mines of Moria, and it even attacks the titular group in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, forcing them to flee into the mines. This beast doesn’t appear for long, nor does the Fellowship suffer any notable losses during the fight, yet the tentacled beast has a major impact on the story. But the most interesting thing about this beast is that even J.R.R. Tolkien offered little in the way of explanation for it. Tolkien is known for scrupulously including details in his writing, and, with the extensive lore he wrote, he had plenty of opportunity to explore the origins...

Blockbusters rarely get as good as Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy. Not only did it accomplish the seemingly impossible in faithfully bringing J.R.R. Tolkien’s saga to life, but it also legitimized the fantasy genre almost single-handedly and won critical acclaim, high box office returns, and countless industry awards. Yet even by those lofty standards, The Return of the King was an astonishing conclusion, giving viewers everything they could want in a massive tentpole: strong characters, epic spectacle, and emotion in spades. There’s a reason it still holds the record for the biggest sweep in Oscar history, winning every one of its 11 nominations.

Jackson’s films somehow got even richer upon release of the extended editions. Despite building upon the already-demanding runtimes (each extended edition clocks in at roughly three and a half to four and a half hours), they fly by in an instant and...

Focusing on the film trilogy, The Lord of the Rings, Legolas is one of the main Elves in the story. As part of the Fellowship, he is able to give audiences a strong indication of his race, and the unusual traits they had. Elrond and Arwen are also key roles that represent the Elves.

J.R.R. Tolkien created each race with their own definitive features and qualities. Elves were one of the oldest races and knew a lot about Middle-earth. They're shown to be calm, strong and full of wisdom, often a great help to the Fellowship of the Ring, and the overall protection of Middle-earth. A few details about them are completely different to other races, with a lot of unusual information that Tolkien invented.

Elves Could Communicate in Their Own Way Image by New Line Cinema

Telepathy was a useful ability that Elves had in The Lord of the Rings.

Quick LinksRiverdale Season 3 Went Weird and Never Looked BackGryphons and Gargoyles Was So Ridiculous It Actually WorkedWithout Gryphons and Gargoyles, There Would Be No Midnight ClubSeason 3 Concludes the First Era of Riverdale

In the history of The CW’s Riverdale creating some of the most bonkers moments of television, fans will always tout the first season as its best. Premiering in 2017, the young adult drama takes the classic characters from Archie Comics and puts them in a nostalgic and Lynchian atmosphere while they try to get through the trials of high school. Romance and family problems run rampant, but that wasn’t the only draw to the series. The first episode revolves around the death of Jason Blossom, twin to Cheryl and son of the richest family in town.

As teens are wont to do, these characters take it upon themselves to solve the murder, which brings them to red herrings and false confessions galore.

Author George R.R. Martin is best known for his work on the A Song of Ice and Fire novel series. It was adapted into the hit fantasy drama series Game of Thrones, which ran for eight seasons and spawned an equally acclaimed spin-off. However, the franchise will expand with the upcoming adaption of Martin’s Tales of Dunk and Egg novellas.

Author George R.R. Martin (Credits: The Late Show | YouTube)

During a recent interview, Martin discussed working on the upcoming spin-off, which is slated to premiere later this year. The author had some positive words to share about the new series, teasing a drastically different tone from what fans of his work are used to. Here is what Martin had to say about the new Game of Thrones spin-off.

George R.R. Martin shares positive update on new Game of Thrones spin-off

George R.R. Martin‘s A Song...

Quick LinksThe Swan-ships Caused One of Middle-earth's Greatest TragediesThe Tradition of Swan-ships Continued Into The Lord of the Rings

The Lord of the Rings was mainly concerned with events that occurred on dry land, but ships and other aquatic vessels were a crucial part of the Elves' history. In Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring, some swan-shaped Elven boats make a brief appearance in Lothórien. Similar ships were featured in the first episode of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, when Galadriel and the other Elves made a voyage to the Undying Lands. The opening flashback from that series even showed Galadriel sending a small paper swan down a river.

These were all nods to a detail from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings novel. In the chapter "Farewell to Lórien" from The Fellowship of the Ring,...

The Lord of the Rings fans have long debated Peter Jackson’s one move that could have changed the trajectory of the movies. While many find the decision infuriating, others agree with the final version of the films. In any case, the debate has gone on for decades without a reprieve.

Liv Tyler as Arwen in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings | Credits: New Line Cinema

That is, of course, Jackson’s decision to change the movie’s original idea of making Arwen appear at the battle of Helm’s Deep. The original concept of the movie relied heavily on this plot to shape Arwen and Aragorn’s love story.

As such, many think Jackson’s idea of taking this away made their story weaker. Liv Tyler, the one who portrayed Arwen in the movie, however, justified his decision wholeheartedly in an interview. Interestingly, a lot of fans...

The Lord of the Rings is one of the most iconic and beloved franchises of all time, and for good reason. Building on the classic work of J.R.R. Tolkien, the franchise has been running for decades and giving excellent stories while it is at it. The world it has created has far outlasted its film series, having several spin-off projects over the years.

Elijah Wood in Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers | Credit: New Line Cinema

While many fantastical creatures can be credited for making the series as immersive and interesting as it is, the most iconic and important have to be elves. Several elves have been part of the franchise, with the most important being Galadriel.

However, it would seem that when the films first introduced Cate Blanchett’s character, things could have been a lot different.

Cate Blanchett was very overwhelmed when she was turning into an...

Game of Thrones propelled George R.R. Martin to new levels of fame and he made a fortune from the TV series. While he is popular among fans as the author of the book, A Song of Ice and Fire, many don’t know that Martin took on TV writing as a career at one point. He famously worked on the HBO series The Hitchhiker, the ’80s revival of The Twilight Zone, and the 1987 series Beauty and the Beast.

George R.R. Martin on the sets of Game of Thrones | Credits: HBO

If his stint as a TV writer surprised you, then you’d be shocked to know that he was rejected for Star Trek: The Next Generation. The reason for his rejection sounds like a joke considering that he has produced the story for one of the greatest TV shows ever.

George R.R. Martin was rejected as a writer...

While a perfect film is almost unheard of, this isn’t the case when it comes to perfect sequels, and Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy is arguably one of the best to ever do it. Not only the sequel, The Two Towers, was seen as a step above the already impeccable The Fellowship of the Ring, but the threequel also transcended the bar set by its predecessors.

The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King | Credit: New Line Cinema

However, despite being a perfect sequel and a great conclusion to the Middle Earth saga, just like any other artwork the medium has to offer, Return of the King isn’t immune to flaws, especially when it comes to Gandalf.

Peter Jackson’s Return of the King didn’t do Gandalf justice

Although magic and wizards in Tolkien’s works don’t embody our typical understanding of wizardry in media,...

The Lord of the Ringsis a story that's rich with details. This applies to J.R.R. Tolkien's original novels and Peter Jackson's subsequent movie adaptations. Those details help explain why Aragorn (Viggo Mortensen) can't use his newfound Army of the Dead to storm Mordor, or why Gimli (John Rhys-Davies) is seemingly the only Dwarf in Middle-earth. Surprisingly, one major detail has escaped some fans' notice, and it concerns the dark lord Sauron. Sauron is as close to pure evil as one can get, using his dark influence to forge the One Ring and bind the other Rings of Power to it. Even losing his physical body didn't stop his ascent to power. Part of that ascent lies in the construction of the fortress Dol Guldur, also known as the Hill of Sorcery, where Sauron retreated to spread his influence.

The Lord of the Rings star Cate Blanchett shares how she almost made a surprising cameo in The Hobbit as a different character. Following the massive success of the three Lord of the Rings movies in the early 2000s, director Peter Jackson returned to J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy world of Middle-earth in 2012 with the release of The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey. Serving as the first installment of three that tell the story of Tolkien's The Hobbit novel, the film features Martin Freeman in the lead role as Bilbo Baggins, with Blanchett returning briefly as Galadriel.

During a recent appearance on the Condé Nast Traveler YouTube channel, Blanchett and her Black Bag costar Michael Fassbender discuss Blanchett's time in Middle-earth. While reminiscing about filming one of the Lord of the Rings movies, Blanchett reveals that she asked Jackson to return as a bearded dwarf for a cameo, in addition to her planned return as Galadriel.

Anyone who has ever watched Game of Thrones or picked up a book from George R.R. Martin’s A Song of Ice and Fire series knows that s*x plays a big role in that fictional universe. Love it or hate it, the franchise did set a standard for how s*x is portrayed in fantasy television. While some moments could be empowering, others were downright disturbing and George R.R. Martin never shied away from the details, making his stories more intense, leaving an everlasting impression on fans.

Game of Thrones (2011-2019) | Credits: HBO

When asked about the creative decision of going big on Nsfw content in his books, George R.R. Martin very confidently spoke about the importance of s*x. He also talked about how the absence of it from Lord of the Rings will forever be a mystery for the fans.

Why George R.R. Martin...

When it comes to fantasy movies, few films stand above Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy. This series is, of course, based on J.R.R. Tolkien's masterful writing, and it's spawned so much more than one movie trilogy. Peter Jackson also directed The Hobbit Trilogy. There have also been plenty of video games, comics, and a Prime Video original series called The Rings of Power (2020-Present).

At the end of the day, The Lord of the Rings franchise is a fantasy genre heavy hitter. It's hard to outdo Tolkien's expansive and intricate world-building, but there are plenty of movies out there that give The Lord of the Rings a run for its money. Film is the perfect medium to bring fantasy worlds to life. This list will discuss 10 incredible fantasy movies that any Tolkien fan should take the time to explore.

This Film Embodies the "Be Careful...

The battle for power in the Westlands continues with Season 3 ofThe Wheel of Time. Based on the long-enduring fantasy novel series by Robert Jordan, The Wheel of Time is very much within the ranks of J. R. R. Tolkien’s “Lord of the Rings” and George R. R. Martin’s “The Game of Thrones” series. Taking place within a magical world where magic is alive and only women can utilize it, the beginning of the series introduces Moiraine (Rosamund Pike), a member of an extraordinary powerful all-female clan called the Aes Sedai with the ability to channel magic known as the One Power.

Quick LinksÉowyn Felt Hopeless in The Lord of the RingsÉowyn's Dream Was a Vision of Númenor's DestructionJ. R. R. Tolkien Was Obsessed With the Great Wave

Among fans of Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy, the extended editions are typically seen as the definitive way to experience the films. None of the scenes that were removed from the theatrical cuts of the trilogy were necessary to advance the plot, but many of them still made meaningful contributions to the narrative. Often, these scenes were quieter moments that further developed the characters' personalities and their dynamics with one another. In the extended editions of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers and The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, there were several additional scenes devoted to exploring the relationship between Aragorn and Éowyn. Though viewers familiar with the source material knew that Aragorn and...

Quick LinksThe Lord of the Rings' Most Important Characters Lost FingersThe Loss of Fingers Had Symbolic Meaning in Middle-earthCelebrimbor Was Not the First Elf to Escape Unbreakable Chains

Much of the second season of Prime Video's The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power revolved around Sauron's manipulation of the Elven smith, Celebrimbor. Under the fair guise of Annatar, he convinced Celebrimbor to create more Rings of Power. Even as war descended upon Eregion, Sauron used illusions to alter Celebrimbor's perception of time and keep him unaware of the impending danger. Celebrimbor began to slip into madness as his work consumed his entire life. Celebrimbor eventually learned the truth about Sauron, but that mattered little to the Dark Lord; he simply resorted to threats of violence. He promised to spare Eregion only if Celebrimbor forged the Nine Rings for the race of Men, and he chained Celebrimbor to...

Sauron is one of the greatest villains of all time, and yet, we never see a physical version of him in The Lord of the Rings, and J.R.R. Tolkien's books only allude to his true visage. In the films, Peter Jacksondepicts the dark lord as a lidless eye on fire, though it is debated whether Sauron is formless or not in the books. However, Gollum does claim to have seen the Dark Lord in the "The Black Gate is Closed" chapter while he was being held hostage at Barad-dûr, but we are still given no more description than that the Dark Lord only had four fingers, where Isildur had cut the One Ring from him. This secrecy has led many to question just what Sauron's true form is.

Quick LinksArwen's Sword Was Passed Down Through Her FamilyArwen's Sword Was One of The Lord of the Rings' Oldest Weapons

Unlike J. R. R. Tolkien’s novel, Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring film depicted Arwen as a warrior. In her first scene, she playfully held her sword to Aragorn’s throat, taunting, “What’s this? A Ranger caught off his guard?” She later faced off against the Nazgûl at the Fords of Bruinen to protect Frodo Baggins. Jackson even filmed some scenes of Arwen participating in the Battle of Helm’s Deep from The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, though they were not included even in the extended edition of the film. In each of these scenes, Arwen wielded an Elven sword called Hadhafang. It featured a curved blade inscribed with Elvish script that read, “Aen estar Hadhafang i chathol hen,...

The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of PowerSeason 3 premiere, inspired by the works of J.R.R. Tolkien, was recently confirmed, and it will feature a major time jump. However, one question that is on the mind of some fans involves Cynthia Addai-Robinson's Queen Regent Míriel.

Speaking to Cbr's Grae Drake at the South by Southwest (SXSW) Film Festival, Addai-Robinson touched on her Rings of Power character and revealed the one question she hasn't been able to escape. "I cannot talk about much," the actor said of the upcoming third season. "That's always the biggest challenge. The question I've been asked from friends and family, I would say the number one question, do I get my vision back?"

The Queen Regent Míriel lost her eyesight in the first season of the series when the ruler of Númenor led her soldiers into a crumbling building to rescue those who became trapped.

Quick LinksSam's Osgiliath Speech Was a Metacommentary On The Lord of the RingsPeter Jackson Utilized the Medium of Film to its Full ExtentThe Two Towers' Ending Proves That Peter Jackson Understands Tolkien

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers is hailed by many -- including Jackson himself -- as the greatest installment of The Lord of the Rings film trilogy. There are many memorable events in The Two Towers, ranging from Gollum's proper debut to the pulse-pounding Battle of Helm's Deep, yet one of the film's best scenes came near the very end. In a divergence from J. R. R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings novel, Faramir brought Frodo Baggins, Samwise Gamgee, and Gollum to Gondor. His goal was to deliver the One Ring to his father in Minas Tirith, but he was stopped at Osgiliath. A Nazgûl on its flying fell beast descended upon the city,...

Middle-earth is a fantasy world teeming with gods, demigods, and ancient beings of immense power. But what if two of its most fearsome figures were erased from history before The Lord of the Rings ever saw the light of day? In fact, the legendary author himself, J.R.R. Tolkien, deemed these Valar siblings unfit to be included in his final lore.

It's no secret that The Hobbittrilogy is dramatically different from J. R. R. Tolkien's novel. For one thing, it's a single book rather than a series. In turning the adventure into three different films, Peter Jackson added a lot of content. The film adds new stories and brings in parts of Tolkien's world that weren't in The Hobbit, like Radagast the Brown (Sylvester McCoy). It also changes elements of the original story, and one of the most notable ways the films do this is by expanding the role of Bard the Bowman (Luke Evans).

The Maiar, of all the characters in J.R.R. Tolkien's legendarium, are perhaps the most fascinating and least expanded upon. The Maiar exist throughout Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings—Gandalf the Grey (SirIan McKellan), Saruman (Christopher Lee), and even the Balrog are all Maia that reside in Middle-earth—but you wouldn't be aware of this unless you've already thumbed through The Silmarillion, a companion and effective prequel to The Lord of the Rings. According to The Silmarillion, the Maiar were created by Eru Ilúvatar (the God of Tolkien's Middle-earth) to help the Valar shape the world. Similar to angels in Christian theology, the Maiar were spiritual beings that could take on physical forms as needed. Though they were created as lesser than the Valar, they were still influential in their own right, and the most powerful of the Maiar was Sauron (Charlie Vickers), the Second Dark Lord and Lord of the Rings.

Quick LinksFrodo and Gandalf Were Lined up to Say the PrologueJackson Crafted a Succinct Prologue But it Was Almost ScrappedGiving Galadriel the Prologue Added to Her High Status and Power

The opening of The Lord of the Ringsis a captivating prologue, voiced by Galadriel. She elegantly guides viewers through the history of the One Ring's existence, but it wasn't always going to be the strong voice of Cate Blanchett that viewers heard. It's no surprise that the process of creating the trilogy went through numerous edits and changes. J.R.R. Tolkien's work had to be made into a piece of cinema that was equally detailed, but there was a lot to live up to.

Tolkien's prologue in The Fellowship of the Ring was entitled Concerning Hobbits. It delved into their way of life and allowed viewers to get to grips with their world. As he continuously did, Tolkien delicately brought readers into his imaginative world.

The popularity of the modern fantasy genre can be traced back to J. R. R. Tolkien, an English professor specializing in philology who had a deep love for ancient mythology. In 1937, he released his first novel, The Hobbit, which was so popular that his publishers asked for a sequel. Drawing inspiration from his personal legendarium—which would be posthumously released as The Silmarillion—Tolkien released The Lord of the Rings in 1954, and its success has influenced countless writers and lovers of fantasy worlds.

Quick LinksThorin's Short Beard Was an Act of SolidarityDwarves Were More Important in The Hobbit Than in The Lord of the Rings

Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film trilogy established what the Dwarves of Middle-earth looked like. Those present in the prologue of The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring and at the Council of Elrond were all similar in appearance to Gimli; they had long hair, exaggerated facial features achieved through the use of prosthetic makeup, and most famously, large, bushy beards. They represented the classic, stereotypical image of fantasy Dwarves. Yet when Jackson returned almost a decade later for The Hobbit trilogy, he and the artists at Wētā Workshop broke the typical Dwarven mold. Some members of Thorin's Company, such as Balin and Glóin, would have fit right in alongside The Lord of the Rings' Dwarves, but others looked quite unusual by Dwarven standards.

George R.R. Martin is the mastermind behind Game of Thrones and has never shied away from writing things that people find controversial. HBO’s hit show was adapted from his epic fantasy series, titled A Song of Ice and Fire, which was praised for its intricate world-building and shocking twists.

George R.R. Martin | TIFF Originals / YouTube

While fans and critics lauded his storytelling, they denounced the explicitness of his books, particularly the s*xual content. Despite some harsh and downright ugly criticism, Martin responded to all of it with a mix of grace, wisdom, and wit.

George R.R. Martin received criticism for the books that inspired Game of Thrones Sophie Turner as Sansa Stark in Game of Thrones | HBO

When Game of Thrones first aired, some loved how the narrative and tension were built, while others condemned the s*x scenes. But George R.R. Martin had to...