The Hobbit trilogy has been a film version of a single novel by J.R.R. Tolkien and is the prequel to the series the Lord of the Rings. The whole of the series focuses on the quest of Thorin Oakenshield and his dwarves to reclaim their lost kingdom of Erebor. The company leaves the land of the Shire and heads directly to the Lonely Mountain to face the wrath of Smaug. Smaug conquered Erebor in the beginning of the first movie and now held the dwarven treasures. Thorin’s goal is to reclaim the treasure, the kingdom and his rightful place on the throne.
During the course of the series a number of characters have been introduced that were not part of the original novel. Many of the characters were part of the first series of films, The Lord of the Rings. However, some were created to generate greater connection between the Hobbit and the Lord of the Rings. Here are some of the characters not in the novel by Tolkien.
Tauriel
Tauriel is a captain of the guard in the elven kingdom of Mirkwood. Tauriel is one of the few characters completely new to the series. Tauriel does not appear in the Hobbit or any of the books in the series the Lord of the Rings. Tauriel played a major role in the second film and likely has a significant role in the final film as well. Tauriel was not part of either trilogy and may be a creation of the screenwriter or director. This makes her character a possible death in the midst of the battle of the five armies.
Legolas
Legolas is a major character in the trilogy Lord of the Rings. It makes sense to bring him into the previous story and make him a connecting link between the film series. Legolas is an elven warrior that joins the Fellowship of the Ring and pledges to help destroy the one ring. Legolas provides some great additional back story to the film.
Galadriel
Galadriel is an elven queen and is called the Lady of Lorien. She is the queen of the woodland elves and offers her assistance to Gandalf as he continues the quest for Erebor. Galadriel plays an important role in the Lord of the Rings by providing assistance to the fellowship at different points of the series. Galadriel will be key in the rekindling of the alliance between the elves and humans. In essence, she saves Middle Earth from being conquered by Sauron.
Saruman
Saruman the white is a chief wizard in Middle Earth and is considered the most powerful of all wizards. He plays a major role in the Lord of the Rings. Saruman will betray Middle Earth and join with the power mad Sauron. Saruman masses an army in Isengard and attempts to conquer the land of Rohan. What role Saruman will have in the next film is relatively unknown.
Necromancer
Another character that is in part a new creation to the story is the Necromancer. The second film gives a deeper glimpse into the character and reveals that the Necromancer is actually Sauron. Sauron seeks to gain possession of the one ring and regain his previous power to conquer Middle Earth. The Lord of the Rings is based on the war for control of the one ring.
The Hobbit trilogy is swiftly coming to a close and all of the speculation will be removed as the final events are unveiled. The Hobbit: Battle of the Five Armies comes to theaters in the United States in mid-December.
