The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power series produced by Amazon thrives as an extraordinary precursor to Lord of the Rings (LOTR), one of the most iconic franchises. The series has taken the world by storm with its star-studded cast and imaginative writing.
Rory Kinnear is one of the most fascinating additions in the second season. He plays Tom Bombadil, who is depicted vaguely in J.R.R. Tolkien’s original book. Though the show’s portrayal of the character is very different from its original perspective, fans have mostly loved the performance.
The Bombadil reboot: Rings of Power brought new life to the mysterious character
At first, it seemed that fans were uncertain if the producers would give this ambiguous character justice considering he featured sparingly in the books. However, Rory Kinnear’s Tom Bombadil took a different direction while still retaining the essence of its original form.
This version of Bombadil from the show is more straightforward and integrated into the plot than we see in the book. The Lord of the Rings book depicted the mystical being with seriousness and a gloomy tone.
But the Skyfall actor’s interpretation is lively, uncomplicated, and light-hearted giving the character a new twist that fits well for him. Additionally, there is depth added to the all-powerful personage without making it feel artificial or strained at all.
rory kinnear as tom bombadil you are everything to me 🥹 I'm actually glad we had to wait all these years to finally see tom on screen cause rory's just perfect for this role 🫶 #TROPspoilers #TheRingsOfPower pic.twitter.com/Y0rGJGUK19
— jules 💍 (@elrondthinker) September 5, 2024hes so whimsical and such a merry fellow with cute pink cheeks🥹
— Ivyy💍TROP spoilers! (@rukiasbankaii) September 5, 2024I LOVE HIM SO MUCH
— jules 💍 (@elrondthinker) September 5, 2024Couldn't agree more. He is perfection!
— PomonaSprotte (@PomSprotte) September 5, 2024Fans have also showered the actor with praise for his impeccable performance on the show. Though his perspective of the legendary character was different from the books, the fresh take was much appreciated.
From Enigma to MVP: The Show’s Tom Bombadil 2.0
According to the fans of the book, Kinnear delivered an impressive and unique character. Bombadil is drawn differently in The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power, but just as impressive. The actor did not have to fill the big shoes of Old Tom so he showcased twists and his interpretation in the role.
One major change brought by the show in the character is his involvement. In the book, Old Tom helps Frodo and his companions on their journey, providing guidance and protection.
Whereas the show version of the character is more directly involved in the main plot and has his own storyline. The actor also included aspects of anxiety into the character which was a risky move that eventually paid off.
The show’s decision to tweak the character of Old Tom and feature him being more involved in Middle-earth’s issues was correct. As the series continues to unfold, fans eagerly anticipate seeing more of Kinnear’s Tom Bombadil and the exciting directions the show will take.
The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power is currently available to watch on Amazon Prime Video.