The Rings of Power star Ismael Cruz Cordova is standing by the Amazon series’ decision to race-swap numerous elements of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original The Lord of the Rings lore.
Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) draws his bow against a group of Orcs in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1 Episode 6 “Udûn” (2022), Amazon Studios
From the Númenórean royal Tar-Míriel, to the entire Harefoot breed of Hobbits, to the very race of Silvian Elves from which Cordova’s character, Arondir, hails from, The Rings of Power features numerous instances wherein characters or races previously depicted in both Tolkien’s works and its various adaptations as white were ‘diversified’ by Amazon in their translation to the small screen.
And while many fans have taken issue with this blatant attempt to use a storied author’s classic work as a platform for identity politicking, the aforementioned Cordova has dismissed their concerns as simply them ‘missing the point’ of Tolkien’s work.
Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) speaks with Médhor (Augustus Prew) in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1 Episode 1 “A Shadow of the Past” (2022), Amazon Studios
Speaking to his casting during Entertainment Weekly’s ‘Brave Warriors‘ panel at the 2024 San Diego Comic-Con, per a recap provided by the outlet, the actor asserted, “My character is not in the lore of the Lord of the Rings, and that was an issue for some people.”
“[It was] a big controversy of me being the first elf that wasn’t white,” the actor continued. “I loved the nerve that I pinched. I really do. I was so excited to create something new. A lot of people speaking on behalf of Tolkien, I don’t know if they understand the spirit of Tolkien. His work speaks of the times.”
Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) is in shock following an Orc raid in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1 Episode 6 “Udûn” (2022), Amazon Studios
“We had never really seen an elf that was the people’s elf,” he told attendees. “We’d always seen elves that were royal and regal, but we hadn’t seen one that was a frontline soldier, a guy that got an assignment kind of thing. It was pretty cool to represent that, and have a voice within elven-ness. I think a lot of people identify with this elf and his plight.”
Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) seeks information in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1 Episode 1 “A Shadow of the Past” (2022), Amazon Studios
Closing out his thoughts on the ‘modern audience’ updates Amazon made to Tolkien’s work, Cordova concluded, “It is necessary to revise things and represent and exist.”
“I think a lot of people look at us to affirm their own existence,” the actor declared, “so I’m happy people can look at that and look at any of us and see themselves in this beautiful world we all should belong in — fantasy.”
Arondir (Ismael Cruz Cordova) makes his way to a nearby tavern in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 1 Episode 1 “A Shadow of the Past” (2022), Amazon Studios
For those masochists out there among our readers, The Rings of Power Season 2 hits Amazon Prime on August 29th.
News
Rings of Power: Is Halbrand Sauron? Who They Are, Explained
The Dark Lord Sauron has many names and forms in the Amazon Prime Video prequel, the Rings of Power. Before becoming an all-seeing flaming eyeball in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy, Sauron kept Middle-earth (and now Rings of Power fans) guessing with his alter-egos….
Henry Cavill’s Old Comments on “Toxic Fans” Has Fans Convinced that Netflix Lost the Best Aspect of ‘The Witcher’
As you probably know, Henry Cavill, despite being enormously popular and loved by many fans, doesn’t seem to be able to catch a break. His work as Superman is over, as Gunn decided to replace him with David Corenswet, and his franchise success – The Witcher –…
Gandalf’s Role In Rings of Power’s Storyline, Explained – Will He Show Up?
Season 2 of The Rings of Power continues to drop hints that The Stranger (Daniel Weyman) is actually Gandalf the Grey. Since the launch of Amazon Prime Video’s prequel, fans have debated whether the mysterious, bearded stranger (and friend to the Hobbit-like Harfoots) is…
‘The Rings of Power’ Likely to Be Canceled as Recent Numbers Reveal Abysmal Viewership
Season 2 of ‘The Rings of Power’ premiered recently and effectively laid the groundwork for the themes of the new season. We’ve witnessed Sauron beginning to corrupt Celebrimbor, the gradual downfall of the Dwarves, and gained more context about the Orcs in Middle-Earth,…
“I’ve always felt like I’ve been cheated”: Jason Momoa Felt Game of Thrones ‘Cheated’ Him for One Reason That Did Upset Many Fans of the Show Upon Release
Jason Momoa expressed disappointment over Khal Drogo’s fate in Game of Thrones, while fans lamented the character’s abrupt demise. Stepping into the role of Khal Drogo, in the HBO hit series Game of Thrones, Jason Momoa exhibited a kind of fierce…
“I get chills when I see him say that”: Peter Jackson May Have Made a Mistake in Skipping a Major Character in Lord of the Rings Who’s Winning Hearts in Rings of Power
Tom Bombadil’s debut in Rings of Power stirs debate, as fans wonder if Peter Jackson missed a golden Middle-earth opportunity. Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings trilogy’s practically untouchable, but even legends aren’t flawless. Sure, he nailed the epic battles and emotional…
End of content
No more pages to load