Lord of the Rings has had a pretty fruitful 21st century. The granddaddy of fantasy began the new century with iconic films and just kept chugging along, with Tolkien's son Christopher releasing more of his father's writings and the release of The Hobbit movies. Recently, it was announced that Amazon was going to put out a series based in the Second Age, a time ripe with story potential, and it has Tolkien fans buzzing with anticipation.
Beyond great stories, there are plenty of amazing characters that can be introduced in the series and plenty more that fans have seen in other places that could have their backstories revealed.
10 Following Sauron Throughout The Second Age Would Flesh Him Out As A Character
Sauron existed in Middle-Earth since the beginning of time. Acting as a lieutenant of Morgoth, the first Dark Lord, he would re-emerge in the Second Age following in his old master's footsteps, trying to subjugate the free people of Middle-Earth. The Second Age is when he committed some of his foulest acts, destroying the Elven kingdom of Hollin in Eregion, facilitating the fall of Numenor, and forging the Rings of Power.
While fans were already introduced to Sauron, more casual fans that have only watched the movies know nothing about him, and this series would be a great place to introduce him as an actual character.
9 Seeing The Origin Of The Witch-King Will Give Context To One Of Middle-Earth's Greatest Villains
The Witch-King of Angmar is one of the most important villains in the Second and Third Ages of Middle-Earth. The lord of the kingdom of Angmar, destroyer of the kingdom of Arnor, and slayer of the last king of Gondor before Aragorn, the Witch-King's life started in the Second Age when he accepted a Ring of Power from Sauron. The new Amazon series would be the perfect place to get to know him.
For people that have only watched the movies, the Witch-King is a blank slate, so showing his origins and how he becomes the greatest of the Nazgul would be a treat for everyone.
8 Introducing The Nazgul As Mortals, In General, Is A Great Idea
Beyond fleshing out the Witch-King, the Amazon series could also introduce the rest of the Nazgul as well, as they struggle with their Rings and lose themselves to the shadows of Sauron. One of the great things about the Nazgul is that their origins are wide open—even in Tolkien's extensive expanded writings on Middle-Earth, only one of them is even canonically named beyond the Witch-King: Khamul.
Going in-depth with the Nazgul will give viewers a better idea of who they were as Men and show just what the power of Sauron can do to people, either the ones who are willing to become his servants or the ones fooled by his fair words.
7 Celeborn Is A Character Who Needs More Fleshing Out
Galadriel is well known to even Tolkien casual fans but her husband, Celeborn, is a mystery to even the most pedantic Tolkien scholar. Tolkien was obsessive about writing and re-writing things and Celeborn's origin was one of those things. While he was born in the First Age, using a Second Age show to flesh him out would be a great idea.
Celeborn is one of the most mysterious characters in the Legendarium but also one of the most important. Anyone who Galadriel considers her equal is a very interesting person and needs to be showcased.
6 Ar-Pharazon The Golden's Life Illustrates The Trap Of Hubris
Ar-Pharazon The Golden was the last king of Numenor before his fall. The most powerful Numenorean king, he forcibly married his cousin Miriel, daughter of King Tar-Palantir, who was trying to bring the Numenoreans back to the old ways of friendship with the Elves and reverence for the Valar, and did a complete one-eighty.
He would end up going to war with Sauron in Middle-Earth, taking him hostage but making the mistake of listening to his lies. Sauron would manipulate him into attacking the Valar, a move that would cause the downfall of the Land of the Star. His story is one of the most important of the Second Age and the show needs to include him.
5 Anarion Was The Co-King Of Gondor
As the rest of the island of Numenor moved away from the worship of the Valar and the friendship of the Elves, the lords of Andunie kept the faith and because of this were able to escape the island before it was destroyed. Led by Elendil, these Faithful Numenoreans started new kingdoms in Middle-Earth. Anarion was Elendil's youngest son and helped his father and older brother Isildur in Middle-Earth.
Anarion died during the Last Alliance of Elves and Men, one of the most important battles of the Second Age, but taking a closer look at his life would be quite interesting, especially since the last battle of the Second Age lasted for over a decade.
4 Isildur Was Anarion's Older Brother & The Man Who Ended Sauron's Threat For A Time
Isildur is one of the most important people in the history of Middle-Earth. The oldest son of Elendil, Isildur saved a cutting from Nimloth, the White Tree of Numenor, before Sauron had it burned at a young age and then followed his father to Middle-Earth, helping to found the kingdoms in exile of Gondor and Arnor and continuing the battle against Sauron.
Isildur's life is one that has a lot of great moments in it that are perfect for expansion. His life is full of amazing events and has a lot of potential for some dramatic story arcs for the show.
3 Elendil Was The First High King Of Numenoreans In Exile
The last lord of Andunie on Numenor and the first High King of Arnor and Gondor. He led the Faithful away from Numenor before its fall and set up the kingdoms that would help keep Middle-Earth free for millennia, a bulwark against Sauron and his forces. Dying in battle against Sauron, Elendil planted the seed for Sauron's eventual downfall.
Elendil's life is one that is full of amazing moments, whether it be on Numenor as he struggled against the King's Men and their faithlessness to the Elves and Valar to the wars he fought in Middle-Earth, Elendil needs to be in a Second Age show.
2 Celebrimbor Allowed His Lust For Knowledge To Doom His People
Celebrimbor was the second greatest smith in Elven history. Working in the Elven kingdom of Hollin in Eregion, he created many great works but fell to the lies of Sauron when he came to Eregion as Annatar. Working with Sauron, the two created many magic rings, with both crafting some in secret—Celebrimbor the Three Elven Rings and Sauron the One Ring.
Celebrimbor allowed his lust for knowledge to blind him to the dangers of Sauron and it cost everyone in Middle-Earth. His story deals with so many themes that Tolkien loved to touch on and needs to be included in the show.
1 Gil-Galad Was The High King Of The Elves Throughout The Second Age
Gil-Galad led the Elven kingdoms throughout the Second Age, working against Sauron in Middle-Earth, trying to keep the people free. He's also one of the more mysterious characters in Tolkien's Legendarium, with little written about him. However, his actions are some of the most important in the entire age, and fleshing him out is a great idea.
Gil-Galad lost his life in the battle on the slopes of Mount Doom battling Sauron with Elendil, Elrond, and Isildur. Following him throughout the Second Age would be extremely important.