Meet Ismael Cruz Córdova, the Rings of Power Disruptor

I can’t believe it’s 2022 and we are still having ‘first’, but I am here for it all day. Congrats, Ismael! ~ V Córdova is the first person of color to portray one of Tolkien’s elves onscreen, and he says he relates to his character in a few ways—including, as someone caught within the intersections of multiple communities, feeling “othered.” Many kids aspire to become … Continue reading Meet Ismael Cruz Córdova, the Rings of Power Disruptor

A Racist Backlash to ‘Rings of Power’ Puts Tolkien’s Legacy Into Focus

The ‘Lord of the Rings’ series’ inclusive casting has sparked social media vitriol from those who insist J.R.R. Tolkien intended Middle-earth to be populated by white characters only, yet this belief is not only faulty, it misses the spirit of the author entirely, writes The Hollywood Reporter contributor Richard Newby. For a time, it seemed as though a great shadow had passed over the world, … Continue reading A Racist Backlash to ‘Rings of Power’ Puts Tolkien’s Legacy Into Focus