Amazon's LotR show - first look

[Hriston]

It would be more accurate to say that Amazon paid the Tolkien Estate half a billion dollars to negotiate a new license, the details of which are as of yet unknown to outside parties. If what we are seeing actually are the Trees while they live*, then that license must include at least a little from the First Age (or, technically, the time before it).

* The Tolkien Professor makes a pretty compelling argument in this video why that might not be true. Even more compelling when folk start analyzing the high-res picture later in the video. A warning: the video is a pretty lengthy conversation.

After watching the video and mulling over the picture for a few days, I think it's quite likely that it portrays the moment the sun was first kindled while still hanging in the darkened boughs of Laurelin. All does not appear well with the Two Trees, and although Telperion seems to shine with a silvery light, a compelling case is made in the video that this is merely a reflection of the light of the sun.

I also agree with most of the commenters in the video that the figure is likely to be Galadriel, wearing a sword and with her hair in a bun. I'm imagining a voiceover stating, "I was there, over six (or seven) thousand years ago, when the Sun first rose in the West." I think this is likely to be the moment that she decides to follow the hosts of the Noldor to middle-earth.

 

[CapnZapp]

Would be awesome if they got Cate to do this, even if they obviously will cast someone younger for the actual role.

 

[MarkB]

Would be awesome if they got Cate to do this, even if they obviously will cast someone younger for the actual role.

Or digitally de-age her if It's an occasional part

 

[Hriston]

Or digitally de-age her if It's an occasional part

I think Galadriel is going to be one of the main characters of the series. The name of the actor that has been cast in the role is Morfydd Clark.

 

[CapnZapp]

Good.

I think deaging sucks. (You need more than a smooth face to naturally act young. For a single talking head, okay, but if the character is moving about? Fuggedaboudit!)

 

[Sepulchrave II]

After watching the video and mulling over the picture for a few days, I think it's quite likely that it portrays the moment the sun was first kindled while still hanging in the darkened boughs of Laurelin. All does not appear well with the Two Trees, and although Telperion seems to shine with a silvery light, a compelling case is made in the video that this is merely a reflection of the light of the sun.

I also agree with most of the commenters in the video that the figure is likely to be Galadriel, wearing a sword and with her hair in a bun. I'm imagining a voiceover stating, "I was there, over six (or seven) thousand years ago, when the Sun first rose in the West." I think this is likely to be the moment that she decides to follow the hosts of the Noldor to middle-earth.

I think Galadriel was already in Middle-Earth when the Sun first rose - Fingolfin's host was entering Mithrim. Maybe this is Galadriel after she returns to Aman at the end of the 3rd Age?

It's hard to know how closely any of the show will cleave to the legendarium, though.

 

[Ryujin]

In some pictures I've found the actress looks like she could pass for a young Cate but, given that Tolkien Elves hit maturity and are then "mature" forever, I'd prefer the original. Cate has a certain magic and range that you can see in both LotR and "Thor: Ragnarok." Stately, but can chew the scenery when required.

 

[Hriston]

I think Galadriel was already in Middle-Earth when the Sun first rose - Fingolfin's host was entering Mithrim.

That Galadriel crossed the Helcaraxe with the host of Fingolfin is one version of the story. Another (and later) version is that she and Celeborn/Teleporno sailed to Middle-earth directly from Alqualondë after being on the defending side of the Kinslaying which seems to create some wiggle room regarding where she was when.

Edit to add: Perhaps she is here returning to Tirion to bid farewell to her father who remains behind to rule the remnant of Noldor.

On the other hand, if this is meant to represent the Trees before the Darkening, perhaps she is wearing a sword in anticipation of the unrest among the Noldor and has a decision to make as to whether to join in Fëanor’s rebellion, whose words have swayed her.

Maybe this is Galadriel after she returns to Aman at the end of the 3rd Age?

It's hard to know how closely any of the show will cleave to the legendarium, though.

Agreed!