While Gandalf and Saruman play important roles in The Lord of the Rings, the other three Istari aren’t nearly as involved in Middle-earth’s Third Age conflict. There are five Istari in The Lord of the Rings universe, but J.R.R. Tolkien only spends time fleshing out three of them. In addition to Gandalf and Saruman, Radagast gets a decent amount of characterization in Tolkien’s lore. The final two Istari, the mysterious Blue Wizards, are briefly discussed, but their whereabouts in The Lord of the Rings and ultimate fates remain unknown.
Even Tolkien’s writings about the Blue Wizards seem to contradict themselves, raising even more questions about the pair. In Tolkien’s essay “The Istari,” he writes that Alatar and Pallando go East with Saruman and never return, implying they fall prey to Sauron or become corrupted by darkness. And one of Tolkien’s letters from 1958 also suggests “they failed” to complete their mission, adding that they “were founders or beginners of secret cults.” These initial depictions of the Blue Wizards don’t paint them in a positive light, but a later mention does.
In Last Writings, a collection of Tolkien’s unfinished work published by his son, Christopher Tolkien, after he died, Tolkien offers a more optimistic view. He suggests that whatever the Blue Wizards do in the East has a “great influence on the history of the Second Age and Third Age,” hinting at their contribution to Sauron’s defeat. Of course, with so little else to go on, theories about the Blue Wizards continue to crop up. The most intriguing ones explain their absence in The Lord of the Rings and reveal how The Rings of Power could work them into its story.
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The Blue Wizards’ Cults Were Responsible For Weakening Sauron
This Combines Both Of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Depictions Of Them
With contradictory takes on the Blue Wizards and little information about their fates, many fans theorize that Tolkien’s two narratives surrounding these Istari are both true. While they may form cults in the East and South, this doesn’t mean they fail to complete their mission to weaken Sauron. Although they aren’t directly involved in the fight against the Dark Lord like Gandalf, some speculate that they help the war effort from the sidelines. This is what Tolkien’s final writings imply, and his words can fit with his previous discussions of the Blue Wizards.
With the influence of cult leaders, the Blue Wizards would be able to sway the Men of Middle-earth away from Sauron’s cause.
As one Redditor notes, with the influence of cult leaders, the Blue Wizards would be able to sway the Men of Middle-earth away from Sauron’s cause. If their followers pledge loyalty to them over Sauron, it indirectly helps those fighting against the Lord of the Rings villain. And this theory is compelling, as it paints a more morally gray picture of the two Istari. Their attraction to cults and willingness to lead them suggests the same lust for power that corrupts Saruman. But with this theory, the Blue Wizards have a more positive impact, whether they mean to or not.
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The Blue Wizards Failed & Are Still Living In Middle-earth
This Makes Gandalf The Only Istar To Come Out Of The War Of The Ring Victorious
Although both of Tolkien’s perceptions of the Blue Wizards can be true, some fans stick to his initial sentiment that they fail — and one theory even suggests they’re still living in Middle-earth after the War of the Ring. If the two Istari do get distracted by their cults and individual interests, they don’t need much more of a reason to be absent for the Third Age conflict. And as there’s no indication that they die, it’s safe to assume that they remain in Middle-earth. And as CBR notes, it explains why Gandalf is the only person to leave Middle-earth.
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Saruman Killed The Blue Wizards
This Would Explain Their Absence In The Lord Of The Rings
One intriguing theory about the Blue Wizards suggests that they aren’t around in The Lord of the Rings because they’re dead — and this Reddit theory posits they perish at the hands of Saruman. Saruman is the strongest of the Istari prior to Gandalf returning to Middle-earth as Gandalf the White, and Saruman is said to have gone East with the Blue Wizards. He’s the only one who returns, which raises questions about what happens out there. While Tolkien’s writings suggest the Blue Wizards simply get sidetracked, this theory offers a more sinister explanation.
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Gandalf & Saruman’s History (& Rivalry) In Lord Of The Rings Explained
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Saruman’s betrayal of Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings proves that the White Wizard doesn’t have qualms about opposing the other Istari, though his journey East takes place long before he joins Sauron’s forces. This theory implies that Saruman’s corruption starts earlier than Tolkien lets on, which doesn’t seem likely. Of course, if we’re going with the less kind view of the Blue Wizards, it’s possible Saruman kills them after they’re corrupted by the darkness. Both scenarios have holes, but it’s a fun theory to explain their absence in The Lord of the Rings.
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The Rings Of Power Season 3 Will Reverse Saruman’s Story With A Blue Wizard’s
The Dark Wizard Will Go From Evil To Good
The introduction of Rhûn’s Dark Wizard in The Rings of Power season 2 likely confirms we’re getting a Blue Wizard story in the Amazon series, especially after the showrunners’ confirmation that the Dark Wizard isn’t Saruman. Given the character’s following and location, he’s set up to be revealed as either Alatar or Pallando. And one theory posits that The Rings of Power will reverse Saruman’s narrative from The Lord of the Rings, taking him on the opposite journey in terms of good and evil.
This would integrate both of Tolkien’s takes on the Blue Wizards, initially introducing Rhûn’s Dark Wizard as a cult leader and villain and eventually redeeming him.
This would integrate both of Tolkien’s takes on the Blue Wizards, initially introducing Rhûn’s Dark Wizard as a cult leader and villain and eventually redeeming him. We haven’t seen enough of the character to know if redemption is possible, but going this route would be a great way to explain Tolkien’s seemingly contradictory views of the two figures. It would also give Gandalf a chance to bring one Istar back to the light, even though he’s unable to do so with Saruman in The Lord of the Rings.
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The Rings Of Power Will Feature Both Versions Of Tolkien’s Lore With 2 Different Characters
The Amazon Show Can Still Introduce Another Istar
The Blue Wizards are lumped together in Tolkien’s writings, and so, they’re often discussed as a unit. One theory suggests that The Rings of Power could challenge this perception, integrating both of Tolkien’s takes on the Blue Wizards by having each of them go in opposite directions (via Reddit). While there’s only one character who meets the description of a Blue Wizard so far, later seasons of the show could introduce another. Then the series could have one of the Istar become a self-serving villain while the other actively works against Sauron’s rise to power.
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Istar Explained & Why The Istari Are Important To Rings Of Power Season 2
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This would be an interesting way to distinguish between the two wizards from Tolkien’s lore, and it would showcase the different paths the Istari can take, potentially even mirroring what happens between Gandalf and Saruman in The Lord of the Rings. Only time will tell if The Rings of Power goes this deeply into the Blue Wizards stories, but it’s certainly an area of Tolkien’s lore that would benefit from expansion.
Source: Reddit, CBR
The Lord of the Rings
- Created by
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J.R.R. Tolkien
- Cast
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Norman Bird, Anthony Daniels, Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen, Liv Tyler, Viggo Mortensen, Sean Astin, Cate Blanchett, John Rhys-Davies, Billy Boyd, Dominic Monaghan, Orlando Bloom, Christopher Lee, Hugo Weaving, Sean Bean, Ian Holm, Andy Serkis, Brad Dourif, Karl Urban, Martin Freeman, Richard Armitage, James Nesbitt, Ken Stott, Benedict Cumberbatch, Evangeline Lilly, Lee Pace, Luke Evans, Morfydd Clark, Mike Wood, Ismael Cruz Cordova, Charlie Vickers, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Sara Zwangobani, Daniel Weyman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Lenny Henry, Brian Cox, Shaun Dooley, Miranda Otto, Bilal Hasna, Benjamin Wainwright, Luke Pasqualino, Christopher Guard, William Squire, Michael Scholes, John Hurt
- Character(s)
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Frodo Baggins, Gandalf, Legolas, Boromir, Sauron, Gollum, Samwise Gamgee, Pippin Took, Celeborn, Aragorn, Galadriel, Bilbo Baggins, Saruman, Aldor, Wormtongue, Thorin Oakenshield, Balin Dwalin, Bifur, Bofur, Bombur, Fili, Kili, Oin, Gloin, Nori, Dori, Ori, Tauriel, King Thranduil, Smaug, Radagast, Arondir, Nori Brandyfoot, Poppy Proudfellow, Marigold Brandyfoot, Queen Regent Míriel, Sadoc Burrows
