For two seasons of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Gandalf (Daniel Weyman) didn't even know he was Gandalf. The mysterious Stranger spent years wandering Middle-earth, struggling to understand his magical powers and whatever cosmic forces brought him there. But after being crowned “Grand Elf” at the end of season 2, Gandalf is finally ready to face the real challenge he was meant for.
"He's been trying to understand what it really means to be a true wizard and what his calling is, and I think he's understanding that now," actor Daniel Weyman says in a new Prime Video featurette ahead of The Rings of Power season 3. "What he wants to do is live his life so that the good in Middle-earth can flourish.” Gandalf’s greatest strength has never been his capacity to overpower his enemies, but his ability to recognize goodness in others, inspire courage, and give ordinary people the confidence to accomplish extraordinary things. That's the Gandalf audiences know from The Lord of the Rings, and following a five-year time jump after season 2, Weyman's version of the character is finally beginning to resemble that vision of Gandalf the Grey.
In an interview with Polygon, Weyman explained that Gandalf's time with Tom Bombadil between seasons has fundamentally changed his understanding of what it means to wield power. "I think there's a softer power to Gandalf now," Weyman tells Polygon, describing a wizard who has become less interested in controlling outcomes and more focused on helping others discover their own potential. Gandalf recognizes their potential and inspires heroism in these humble smallfolk.
His faith in their courage and compassion proves more important to the fate of the world than any spell he might cast. Gandalf hasn’t become a more accomplished magician after training with Tom Bombadil. He's learning the wisdom and restraint that will eventually define the character.
That's what ultimately makes him a better wizard and defines the natureo of his power. The transformation is also apparent in his physical appearance. Weyman notes in Amazon's featurette that Gandalf's hair and beard have grown, his costume has changed, and he now carries his staff constantly.
Whereas the Stranger so often walked with a bit of a hunch, Gandalf now stands upright with a new sense of self-assuredness. "Just the way that he moves and the way he sits in his being is different," Weyman says. "He's now got the staff continuously with him.
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