We have some new The Rings of Power Rumors/SPOILERS for Season 2 as a good source says the Blue Wizards are now useable by the show. Many fans hoped that The Stranger was a Blue Wizard arriving in Middle-earth and not Gandalf. However, that does seem to be more and more unlikely at this point. I think the show is instead deciding Gandalf was sent back as an Istari twice, once in this Second Age and then again in the Third Age. I dislike this, but others may disagree.
In FoF‘s new video they claim Amazon has agreed access with the Tolkien estate for access to materials not included in the Appendix of The Lord of the Rings. They claim Amazon has been given permission to use Unfinished Tales discussing the five wizards. Thus, giving the showrunners access to all five wizards if they want to use them. Also they have access to the text where Tolkien discussed some wizards being around during the second age and going East.
To be clear, Tolkien only ever suggested that it was the two Blue Wizards who may have arrived earlier in the Second Age. As far as I know, there are no ideas from Tolkien of the other three arriving earlier. Those being Saruman, Gandalf and Radagast, who all are named in The Lord of the Rings. Unless it’s some obscure later writing I missed, but I doubt it.
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However, that does not mean The Stranger is not Gandalf. There is the fact he’s hanging around with Hobbits. Plus of course him saying ‘when in doubt always follow your nose’ which is a fairly big clue. Unless, that’s just something all Wizards say, which would just be weird.
The FoF leak also says they’ve heard that The Stranger will meet another magical user along his travels. This person will teach The Stranger to access his abilities. Frankly, the only beings I could see who could do such a thing are Maiar/Angels like Gandalf. That would indicate The Stranger meets another Maiar on his way to Rhun. Or, he is on his way to Rhun to deal with the Blue Wizards who have gone off mission and meets ‘something else’ along the way.
We are so far outside of the existing mythology at this point it’s impossible to say for sure.
Is it too late for me to still be hoping The Stranger is a Blue Wizard and not Gandalf? Probably, but hope is a good thing Red, maybe the best thing.
Let us know what you think below of these latest Rings of Power rumors/SPOILERS. Are you excited to hear the Blue Wizards are now useable in the show? Thoughts below as always