The Hobbitwas full of funny lines, but Gandalf forgetting the names ofLord of the Rings’Blue Wizards was hilarious in its own way. There are many reasons behind Gandalf’s forgetfulness in this scene inThe Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, released in 2012 and directed by New Zealand legend Peter Jackson. Ian McKellen’s Gandalf was a familiar anchor in the movie for fans of Jackson’s firstLord of the Ringstrilogy, which was widely celebrated. The movie introduced the brilliant Martin Freeman as Bilbo Baggins but never got to introducethe Blue Wizards.
Along with Gandalf, Saruman, and Radagast, the Blue Wizards make upLord of the Rings'5 Istari. Istari is Quenya (an Elvish language) for “Wizards,” and it refers to the collective of five Maiar selected by the Valar to oppose Sauron on Middle-earth. The Valar, Tolkien’s demigods, were working under the One creator, Eru Ilúvatar. High up in Middle-earth’s chain of command, the Istari were incredibly powerful but veiled their power to avoid the kind of worship Sauron sought. But the Blue Wizards were particularly veiled inThe Hobbit, with Gandalf revealing little more than a suggestion of their existence.
Gandalf Forgetting The Blue Wizards Is Because Of The Hobbit’s Rights
“I’ve Quite Forgotten Their Names” Is An Inside Joke
Peter Jackson’sLord of the RingsandHobbitmoviesdidn’t have the rights to mention the Blue Wizards by name. This movie franchise, which exists within the widerLord of the Ringsfranchise, still does not have the rights and likely won’t have them before it completes its 2026’sThe Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.The Warner Bros.LotRmovie franchise has the rights to make films adaptingThe HobbitandLotR, including its appendices. The Blue Wizards are not mentioned in either text, but the Istari are.
The Silmarillionwas published in 1977 andUnfinished Taleswas published in 1980.
This gave Warner Bros. just about enough wiggle room to mention the existence of the Blue Wizards. However, they could not use any of the information included inThe SilmarillionorUnfinished Tales, which did go into more detail on the Blue Wizards.Unfinished Taleshints thatthe Blue Wizards were called Alatar and Pallando.The Hobbit’sscript hilariously signaled its lack of rights to use these names with Gandalf’s iconic “I’ve quite forgotten their names” line, making it an industry inside joke. The Tolkien Estate has never yet awarded any company full rights toThe SilmarillionorUnfinished Tales.
What Happened To The Blue Wizards?
The Blue Wizards' Fate Is Mysterious
The Istari arrived in Middle-earth by boat and then went their separate ways, with the Blue Wizards going east. Saruman, otherwise known as Curunir, came first. This eldest member of the Istari was followed by the others, with all five arriving around the year 1000 of the Third Age, according toLotR’sappendices. While Gandalf was closest with the Elves, Saruman was closest with Men, and Radagast became friends with the beasts and birds. Saruman journeyed east, like the Blues, but unlike them, he returned.Tolkien never confirmed the fate of the Bluesbut offered speculation.
How The Valar & Maiar Are Different In The Lord Of The Rings Explained
In J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings, the Valar and the Maiar have a mysterious presence and the difference between the two is often confused.
Unfinished Talesconfirms that “some hold” that the Blue Wizards turned to Sauron, failing the mission set them by the Valar and falling under the spell of the greater Maia. Tolkien considered anyone from Rhûn an Easterling. SinceLord of the Rings’eastern land of Rhûnwas as far away from the western Aman and the Valar that lived there as it could be, Easterlings were influenced by Morgoth and Sauron more readily.Unfinished Talesalso mentions howthe Blue Wizards could have continued fighting the good fightor died, in which case their spirits would likely have returned to Valinor.
The Blue Wizards Could Play A Bigger Part In LOTR’s Future
The Two Eastern Istari Could See More Screen Time
Although they only get a mention inThe Hobbit, the Blue Wizards are likely about to see a resurgence on screens in Amazon Prime Video’sThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. WhileThe Rings of Powerseason 2 finaleconfirmed that the original character the Stranger was actually Gandalf, season 3 seems likely to follow a similar structure.The Dark Wizard was introduced as a mysterious Istarin season 2, and his identity will probably be uncovered in the season 3 finale given how season 1’s final episode was also used for an identity reveal.
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The Dark Wizard is based in Rhûn and has accumulated a mysterious cult surrounding him, with fairly unscrupulous tactics, including violently killing someone thought to be his ally. Pioneering fantasy writer J.R.R. Tolkien said of his inventions, the Blue Wizards, “I suspect they were founders or beginners of secret cults and ‘magic’ traditions that outlasted the fall of Sauron.” All said and done,The Rings of Powerstrongly suggested the Dark Wizard’s identityas that of a Blue Wizard.Viewers have likely been watching a Blue on their screensall along, and season 3 may even reveal a second one.
Alatar and Pallando were called Morinehtar and Rómestámo in another version of Tolkien’s story.
Rings of Powershowrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay shut down speculation that the Dark Wizard was Saruman on aRedditQ&A, perhaps confirming that he was a Blue Wizard. Without issuing spoilers, they commented, “It is our expectation that [the Dark Wizard] will be one of those two.” The Istari lost some of their memories on coming to Middle-earth, which partially explains Gandalf’s forgetfulness of the Blues inThe Hobbit. However, he may be directly acquainted with one inThe Rings of Power, offering viewers an unprecedented take on Tolkien’s most enigmatic Wizards.
The Hobbit
The Hobbitfilm series is a fantasy adventure trilogy directed by Peter Jackson, based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s novelThe Hobbit. Set 60 years beforeThe Lord of the Rings, the films follow Bilbo Baggins' quest to reclaim the Lonely Mountain from the dragon Smaug. The series grossed nearly $3 billion worldwide and is known for its elaborate visuals and epic storytelling.
