New look at Tom Bombadil in the 2nd season of “Rings of Power”
Vanity Fair previously reported that British actor Rory Kinnear will play the role of the iconic Tom Bombadil in the 2nd season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. The reaction of fans to the published photos was mixed, which is not surprising when a favorite character takes on a new image.
Bombadil was described by Tolkien as an “older than the old”, a benevolent being who began life around the same time as all life. Therefore, his presence in the Second Age, thousands of years before the events of The Lord of the Rings, fits into the author’s established canon. Tolkien described Bombadil to his publisher as “the spirit of the vanishing Oxford and Berkshire countryside”
In the series, J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay placed him in a second home on the outskirts of the Rhun region, once paradise, but now lifeless. “Tom went there to see what had happened while he was traveling,” Payne says.
We were drawn to some of the details of Tom’s costume and surroundings. His yellow boots were not bright canary, but in the spirit of the classic illustrations. The blue jacket may not be as bright as it is described in the books. The tree-like embroidery on the tunic and the floral belt hint at Bombadil’s connection with nature. And his magical pointed hat with a feather evokes associations with Gandalf’s hat.
The surrounding landscape is dry and lifeless. That’s probably why Tom looks pretty sober in these shots. This situation requires intervention rather than celebration. But there are hints of a potential oasis – flowers, a lemon tree, a beehive. The house shows signs of a long stay – worn furniture, burning out candles. The decoration of the ceilings with star maps remains mysterious, which may have a connection with the storylines of the first
It’s unclear what role Tom will play in season two. Everyone brings their own expectations to this character. It remains to wait for the premiere on August 29 and see how the creators will deal with Bombadil.