The Lord of the Rings remains one of the most beloved fantasy epics of all time, and its characters are still endlessly discussed, quoted, and celebrated more than 20 years after Peter Jackson poured his blood, sweat, and tears into the movies. But it was J.R.R. Tolkien who created a world so rich that even the smallest detail could veer off into its own story. Middle-earth is teeming with fascinating characters whose supporting roles in the original trilogy left us wanting to delve deeper into their lore.
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While Prime Video’s The Rings of Power has already attempted a prequel set in Tolkien’s world, and The Hobbit tells Bilbo’s tale, they only scratch the surface. Some of the trilogy’s most intriguing heroes and villains deserve to have their own stories expanded upon. And their adventures, if done right, would enrich the franchise as a whole as legitimate, compelling LOTR spinoffs in their own right.
3) Saruman
Saruman the White began as one of Middle-earth’s most highly-regarded figures. As head of the White Council, he was a leader who stood against Sauron during the dark days before The Lord of the Rings yarn even begins. But as we saw in the movies, he ultimately turned to treachery, serving as a secondary antagonist and excellent evil counterpart to Gandalf. Christopher Lee’s performance brought intensity and menace to the role, but his actual downfall was mostly stated in exposition.
A Saruman-centered prequel might trace his long, complicated path from wisdom to corruption. As leader of the White Council, Saruman was privy to secrets of the world that few others could access. Exploring his studies of the Palantír, his growing suspicion of Gandalf, and his increasing obsession with power would make for a riveting Shakespearean tragedy. We could also see more of his relationship with Radagast and the other wizards, providing fans with new perspectives on lesser-known characters.
New lore of this flavor could reframe Saruman selling out to the big bad, even depicting in detail how his allegiance was never truly to “The Eye” but to his own crooked ambition. By revealing his more base desires and vulnerabilities, as well as the hatching of his schemes, a spinoff would make him an even more complex figure. Not to mention, his story could further explore the themes carved out in LOTR and serve as a cautionary tale about the dangers of power and corruption.
2) Éowyn
Éowyn entered the picture in The Two Towers as the brave niece of King Théoden and soon became one of the most important women in Tolkien’s saga. Her story hits its peak during the Battle of Pelennor Fields. It’s then that she stands against the Witch-king of Angmar and ultimately defeats him, turning the tide of the war. Despite this legendary victory, the conclusion of her arc in the aftermath of the war is far too brief, and the films only lightly touch on her romance with Faramir and her adjustment to life without battle.
A spinoff about Éowyn could serve as either a sequel or a prequel. A sequel could perhaps see her return to domestic life and explore how a warrior who lived for combat adapts (or fails to adapt) to a mundane life. It could brush upon the trauma of war, exploring her complicated feelings about leaving behind the sword, and the reality of her relationship with Faramir, warts and all. On the other hand, a prequel could expand her upbringing in Rohan, her early days training in secret to become a shieldmaiden, and the personal struggles of a woman born into a culture where her bravery was restrained.
Regardless of the tactic, any Éowyn spinoff would be an opportunity to expand her story into something richer than the films had time to portray. In seeing her navigate duty and freedom, we’d get a rare Middle-earth story centered on a woman, and she’d finally get the spotlight she deserved as one of the trilogy’s most essential and underrated characters.
1) Gimli
The trilogy’s star dwarf, Gimli, starts as a loyal but stubborn warrior and ends as one of the Fellowship’s most beloved figures. His humor, bravery, and legendary bromance with Legolas brought us some of the most quoted moments. However, his larger and more serious role in the fate of the Dwarves was left largely unexplored, relegating the fan-favorite character to comedic relief. The movies touch on his plans to restore the lost glory of his people, but those ambitions never make it to the screen. There was also apparently a pitch fielded by Amazon for a Gimli spinoff that so far hasn’t amounted to anything tangible.
A Gimli spinoff could pick up after the fall of Sauron, exploring his efforts to lead his people back to prominence in Middle-earth. It would be a blast to see his adventures with Legolas, which would be a fantastic backbone of a limited series, chronicling the pair’s travels through the land as they root out The Dark Lord’s lingering rats and explore ancient fortresses. We could finally see his work in the Glittering Caves of Helm’s Deep, as well as his contributions to Minas Tirith’s restoration.
Beyond expanding Gimli as a character, a series of this sort would finally give audiences a deeper look at the dwarves of Tolkien’s world. Their culture, craftsmanship, rivalries with elves, and struggle to regain their kingdoms all offer rich storytelling potential beyond what was offered in LOTR or The Hobbit. With Gimli at the center, the series would likely contain warmth as well as real stakes, carrying forward the spirit of the Fellowship. What’s more, John Rhys-Davies has even said he’d consider returning to the role.
Should Middle-earth revisit one of these characters in a spinoff? Let us know what you think in the comments!
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