Daniel Weyman Opens Up About Fully Becoming Gandalf in THE LORD OF THE RINGS: THE RINGS OF POWER Season 3
We’ve spent two seasons watching the mysterious Stranger slowly find his place in Middle earth in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, and now the journey has reached the moment many viewers have been waiting for.
Prime Video has revealed a new look at Daniel Weyman as Gandalf in The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3, and he finally looks like the legendary wizard fans know and love.
After spending the first two seasons as the enigmatic Stranger, Gandalf has fully embraced his iconic appearance. The new image shows him with the familiar long gray beard, staff, and signature hat, offering our best look yet at where his story is headed.
According to Weyman, this evolution wasn't something that happened by accident. Before production on Season 3 began, the show's creators made it clear they wanted audiences to recognize the Gandalf they've loved for generations.
Weyman explained: “Just before we started Season 3, J.D. and Patrick told me – we want to see that Gandalf has arrived. We want to see him as the wizard we all love from Tolkien’s writings. I found this new side to him, the side that we all hopefully recognise: the mischief, the twinkle in his eye.”
That shift doesn't just change his appearance. It also changes the energy of the character, allowing Weyman to step into the personality that has made Gandalf one of fantasy's greatest heroes.
The actor also shared what it felt like putting on the wizard's classic costume for the first time, saying: “Unbelievably spine-tingling. I was pinching myself all the way through.”
Gandalf is one of the most beloved characters ever created by J.R.R. Tolkien, and getting the chance to fully become him has to be an unforgettable experience for any actor.
Season 3 also looks like it'll give Gandalf a much larger role as Sauron's shadow spreads across Middle earth. According to showrunner J.D. Payne, the wizard's story is moving into much deeper territory than simply mastering magic.
Payne said: “He’s going from learning how to control his powers to understanding that wizards actually have a prophetic dimension. That their job is to inspire the hearts of the people around them to find their own courage to unite against the darkness.”
That sounds like exactly the kind of evolution fans have been hoping to see. Gandalf has always been much more than someone who casts spells. He's a guide, a mentor, and someone who inspires ordinary people to accomplish extraordinary things when hope seems lost.
This first look certainly hints that The Rings of Power is finally embracing that version of the character. It'll be exciting to see how Gandalf grows into the wise wizard who will eventually become one of Middle earth's greatest champions.
Prime Video still hasn't announced a release date for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 3, but this first glimpse is more than enough to get fans looking forward to the next chapter.
Source: Empire