When Amazon announced The Rings of Power, fans quickly found out that a war-like version of Galadriel would be leading the ensemble group of characters. That was an issue for some The Lord of the Rings fans because they believed that Galadriel wouldn't work as a war-like figure. Of course, that was a ridiculous complaint because Galadriel was more powerful than Star Wars' Yoda. So, Morfydd Clark stepped into the role and commanded the screen, even if some of her dialogue was a bit clunky or over the top. However, there was something peculiar about her character.
In LOTR, Galadriel was still married to Celeborn during the Second Age, but Celeborn was nowhere to be found on The Rings of Power. Galadriel actually said that he was dead, and the thing is, he might be dead. The series might be imitating one of LOTR's most notorious moves by having him take Glorfindel's place, just like Arwen.
How Fans Know That Celeborn Was Dead on The Rings of Power
Going into The Rings of Power, Celeborn was missing from character announcements and posters. Then, he didn't appear at all in the first six episodes, so fans began to wonder if Galadriel meeting and marrying him would be a plot point. But that changed in Episode 7, "The Eye." In a moment of rare openness, Galadriel told Theo that her husband had been brutally killed in the War of Wrath.
Right away, fans started to wonder how that made any sense. Most fans assumed that Galadriel was simply wrong. Celeborn had to be alive because Celeborn can't not be a part of the story. He and Galadriel had a daughter named Celebrían, and she ends up marrying Elrond. So, it's pretty crucial that he shows up at some point. Yet, Galadriel was an Elf and had a pretty good idea of what was happening. Not to mention, she wandered Middle-earth for over 400 years after the War of Wrath. So, if Celeborn was actually alive, she probably would have found him or found some kind of information about him.
While that seems like quite the problem, there is a way that Celeborn could be dead and appear on the series. That could happen if The Rings of Power gives Celeborn a storyline similar to a powerful Elf named Glorfindel. If that happens, it won't be the first time that Glorfindel was snubbed.
Like Arwen, Celeborn Could Be Getting Glorfindel's Storyline
Glorfindel was Lord of the House of the Golden Flower during the First Age of Middle-earth. He lived in Gondolin with High King Turgon, until the city fell to Morgoth. During the Fall of Gondolin, Glorfindel helped Eärendil, Idril and Tuor escape the city. While doing so, he killed a Balrog, but he gave up his life to do so. Then, over a thousand years later, Glorfindel was resurrected and sent back to Middle-earth with power close to a Maiaric level.
While it might be a long shot, The Rings of Power may take that storyline and superimpose it on Celeborn's character. Meaning, he could have died at some point during the War of Wrath, and then, he could be sent back to Middle-earth to be with Galadriel. That way, Galadriel would be correct that her husband died, and Celeborn could still fill his crucial role. Besides, an emotional reunion between the two would add some depth to Galadriel's normally stoic character.
It's worth noting that fans probably wouldn't like Celeborn commandeering Glorfindel's storyline because Glorfindel was one of LOTR's strongest Elves. A portion of the LOTR fanbase has been vocal about its dislike for the series as a whole, and continuing to break canon probably won't be taken well. However, replacing Glorfindel wouldn't be without precedent. Peter Jackson's movies sent Arwen to rescue Frodo from the Nazgûl, rather than Glorfindel, which robbed the Elf of his only movie appearance. So, having Celeborn take over for Glorfindel's story would only be following in LOTR's footsteps. Even if he doesn't officially take over Glorfindel's arc, finding a way for Celeborn to be resurrected seems paramount for Season 2.
The Rings of Power Season 2 does not have a release date. Season 1 is streaming now on Prime Video.