Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings trilogy is the best adaptation of J.R.R. Tolkien's work to date, and honestly, it's hard to imagine that ever changing. However, it doesn't mean studios won't try to cash in on the IP. Follow-ups like The Rings of Power (2022) and The War of Rohirrim (2024) have mostly been misses, while the release of future projects like The Hunt for Gollum (2027) has fans optimistic but hesitant.
Stephen Colbert's LOTR film, The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, has already drawn criticism from fans, who don't necessarily see the need to stretch out six chapters from The Fellowship of the Ring while also delving into sequel territory, with parts of the plot picking up 14 years after Frodo's death. For many, the news elicits a "why," rather than the excitement it should, which begs the question of why LOTR adaptations aren't focusing on the stories Tolkien poured more effort into. Case in point, the love story of Beren and Lúthien.
Beren And Lúthien Offer LOTR A Shot At The Romance Genre
Set in the Second Age, The Rings of Power has given us the oldest on-screen history of Middle-earth yet. However, if the franchise wanted to rewind even further to the First Age, it's got three major stories begging for adaptations: The Fall of Gondolin, The Children of Húrin, and Beren and Lúthien. Each tale has its own standalone book, which Christopher Tolkien compiled and edited after his father's death. While all these stories could make interesting movies or miniseries, Beren and Lúthien offers a unique opportunity to add romance to a franchise largely focused on war and political drama.
Similar to Aragorn and Arwen, Beren and Lúthien chronicles a forbidden love story between races. Beren is a mortal Man who falls in love with Lúthien, an immortal Elven maiden and daughter of a king. While that difference presents an obstacle, the real issue is Lúthien's father, who forbids their coupling and gives Beren the death sentence of taking a Silmaril from Morgoth's crown to win her hand. And in case you don't know who Morgoth is, consider him Middle-earth's version of the Devil.
Beren, not dissuaded by the offer, responds, "For what little price do Elven kings sell their daughters," and sets off on the mission without hesitation. What follows is a story of betrayal and loyalty, tragedy and hope, and, more importantly, an achingly romantic story about two people willing to stare down evil to be together. Yes, we get hints of this type of love between Aragorn and Arwen or even between Arondir and Bronwyn. However, a direct adaptation of Beren and Lúthien would keep romance at the center while still delivering on the action and sense of sprawling adventure that the franchise is known for. After all, this story sees our protagonists battle Sauron, Morgoth, and a host of wolves.
Beren And Lúthien Are Essential To First Age Lore
While the full story of Beren and Lúthien is long and complicated, in its simplest form, it offers connections to The Rings of Power and, of course, The Lord of the Rings. In the first half of his quest, Beren enlists the help of Finrod, the older brother of Galadriel, to help him track down the Silmaril. Later, in a heartwrenching display of friendship, Finrod dies saving Beren from Sauron's werewolves. It's this tragic encounter right here that spurs Galadriel's quest for vengeance against Sauron in The Rings of Power. However, Prime Video's series simplified Finrod's death. It doesn't delve into his loyalty and selfishness, instead treating him like a simple catalyst for Galadriel's reckless pursuit of revenge.
A more fleshed-out adaptation of Beren and Lúthien could do right by Finrod. Beren and Lúthien's coupling also results in an important lineage. Elrond is their great-grandchild, and therefore, Arwen is their great-great-granddaughter. Not only does Arwen's decision to give up her immortality to marry Aragorn feel poetic with this connection, but it also explains the lore. As a half-Elf, like her father, the Valar gave them both the opportunity to choose their fate: a mortal life among Men, or an immortal one with the Elves. It's here that Arwen follows in the footsteps of Lúthien by choosing love.
LOTR's Adaptations Keep Missing The Mark
The Rings of Power and The War of Rohirrim have largely been disappointing to many hardcore Tolkien fans (myself included). Each seems intent on recapturing the scale and scope of Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, but somewhere along the way, they seem to forget the heart that made those movies so special. Beren and Lúthien has both. The quest for the Silmaril is epic and oftentimes brutal, but the emotional motivation for the mission is much more personal than anything else in the franchise.
Frodo left the Shire to save the world, while Beren ventured into the shadowy realms of Sauron and Morgoth for love. Dying meant little to him if it gave him the chance to be with Lúthien, just like Lúthien defied multiple captures to save Beren. In many ways, Lúthien also offers a more feminist female perspective that the main LOTR trilogy lacks.
Not only that, but Beren and Lúthien remains one of Tolkien's most personal works. Much of the romance took inspiration from the love he had for his own wife, Edith. So, if the franchise truly wants to honor Tolkien's legacy and craft something vital to Middle-earth history, Beren and Lúthien is the obvious choice.
