Only A True Fan Knows If This Secondary Character Is From Lord Of The Rings Or Harry Potter
- by Rose Moore
- – on
- in Movies and TV
When talking about fantasy blockbuster franchises, two names that will always come up are Harry Potter and The Lord Of The Rings. Both based on hugely popular book series, these franchises take the viewer into a complex and detailed world of magic, populated by all kinds of monsters and fantasy creatures, on a quest to destroy the ultimate evil.
Of course, although they have a lot in common, these two incredible fantasy series are very different in many ways. The Lord of the Rings is set in a high-fantasy universe, full of swordfights and heroes on horseback, while Harry Potter is set in the 'real' world - or a version of it with a magical society of witches and wizards that exist in secret, while us muggles have absolutely no idea. One centers on heroic teenagers, while the other is about fully grown men (even if they only grow to a few feet high!).
Similarities and differences aside, any true fantasy fan will know both of these film franchises backwards and forwards - from the central characters and quest to the key objects and the magic that they use... and even to the secondary characters in these universes. Whether foes or allies, are you enough of a fantasy fan to know where each of these minor characters pops up, in Middle Earth or the Wizarding World? Take our quiz and find out!
Where is this cloaked lady?
There's something about a cloak that just screams 'magical fantasy world', and this is no exception. Arwen is a character who is a love interest to one of the major men in this franchise, but she's so much more than that. She also mounts a rescue mission early on in the series, as well as being the one to suggest a magical work that has a huge impact on the heroes' quest to defeat the big bad of the franchise.
Where does David Tennant play a villain?
The incomparable David Tennant would be an incredible addition to either film franchise, but he's only been in one. In this franchise, he plays Barty, the son of a powerful man, but one who is a devout supporter of the Dark Lord (although we won't tell you if that Lord is Voldemort or Sauron, of course!). After being imprisoned, he broke free and continued to do his master's work, attempting to put the hero in danger so he could not complete his quest.
Which series includes Bathilda Bagshot?
This elderly woman is a historian of magic, and was someone that our questing heroes went to visit in the hopes that she would be able to provide them with some answers, and some advice on their quest. However, by the time the heroes reach her, she has already been killed by the Dark Lord, and has now been magically 'resurrected' on order to fool them into staying her home - a trap that they nearly fall into, but luckily manage to get out of in the nick of time!
Which series involves this villainess?
While both Sauron and Voldemort are men, that doesn't meant that either series is devoid of women on both sides of the great war between good and evil - and this woman, Bellatrix LeStrange, is one of the most evil of them all. She isn't simply a vicious killer, but one that takes great joy in torture and death, and who follows the big bad not out of fear, but out of her own twisted kind of love for him.
Where would you find this older man?
This man may be a secondary character in the main franchise, but a younger version of Mr Baggins is the core protagonist of the spin-off series that followed it. He has gone on his own adventures and had his own quests and mighty battles to contend with, so is mostly on the sidelines for the majority of this franchise - although he helps the main hero with advice, not to mention with a few useful physical gifts along the way.
Which series did Robert Pattinson appear in?
Robert Pattinson may be known best for starring the Twilight series (another massive fantasy franchise), but he was also in either Harry Potter or Lord of the Rings. In this series, he appears as a friend to the main hero, albeit not a close one. The two have a similar short term goal (although Pattinson's Cedric is not interested in battling the big bad), and compete for it - although in the end, Cedric gives up his life for what he wants.
Where would you find this wise elf?
In among the various heroes and villains of both the Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings franchises, there are those characters who are recognized to be truly good, and truly wise - and Celeborn is one of them. This secondary character may appear only briefly in the films, but he does so to impart wisdom, and to help our heroes on their way as they continue on their quest - saddened by the loss of one of their own.
Where did Cormac wear his armor?
We may think of armor as something only worn in Lord of the Rings, but there is a kind of armor that appears in the Harry Potter universe as well - the gear worn to protect players on the Quidditch field! This is certainly not quite the same as the battles for control of Middle Earth, but that doesn't mean that the players aren't taking it almost as seriously... and as we all know, there are some serious injuries on the pitch, as well as the battlefield.
Where did we see this character in a flashback?
Both Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter make use of flashbacks - some to tell the story of the One Ring, and how it turned a decent Riverfolk into the creature that is now Gollum. The others tell the stories of the Deathly Hallows, and the history of Tom Riddle, who went on to become Voldemort, the Dark Lord of the wizarding world. Which of these included Deagol as a friend who is shockingly, and brutally, murdered by the water?
Where was this mad villain?
Although Sauron and Voldemort are the two big bads of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter, that doesn't mean that they are the only evil characters in these two massive worlds. In addition to the evil lords, there are dark wizards, snatchers seeking out enemies for profit, mercenaries for hire... and this man, Denethor, who has been driven mad by greed and a desire for power, and almost goes so far as to take down many of his own with him.
Where would you find this little creature?
Humans, elves, dwarves, giants, dragons... there are so many races in these fantasy worlds - some in both, and some in just one. In which world would you find these creatures, small, but with a powerful magic. They are usually chained to a particular house, and can use their magic only on the command of their masters, but there are (very few) who are freed, and who are able to use that same magic in the aid of their friends.
Which series does Elrond appear in?
Elrond may have many years to his name, but that doesn't always make him wise. He was around the last time that the big bad of this franchise rose to power, and bitterly regrets that he did not do more to make sure that it never happened again. And while he wishes to work for the side of good, he is also bitter when it comes to the abilities of others and the chances that good will prevail over evil in the end.
Which franchise includes this warrior woman?
The women of both Lord of the Rings and the world of Harry Potter are just as capable as the men - although that doesn't mean that they are never underestimated. Eowyn is one who is sick of the limitations that she feels are put upon her, and is eager to fight in the final battles to save her world. Although her father did not want her to fight in the end, she disobeyed him - and managed to slay one of the most powerful servants of the Dark Lord.
Where was this younger brother?
Family plays a big part in both franchises - whether it is Harry Potter's love for his parents (and hatred of the aunt and uncle that took him in), to the idea of pure-blood and noble houses, to the true heir to the throne of Gondor and the family names of the Shire. Faramir is the younger of two brothers in this franchise - and is constantly made to feel by their father that he simply doesn't measure up - which nearly costs him his life.
Which series features Galadriel?
Known also as the Lady of the Wood, this powerful magic-user is also considered by some to be a witch - and many say that she will enslave any who so much as look upon her. However, she helps our heroes in their quest in this franchise, and uses her mirror in order to help the main hero see what could come to pass if he should fail in his mission. This terrifies him, but also sustains him as a reason to continue.
Where was this dark-haired traitor?
Traitors and betrayal lurk around every corner in these fantasy worlds, and this pale-skinned man with dark, greasy hair is no exception. Grima is one who spent many years sitting at the right hand of a great man, but working all the while for a Dark Wizard, helping to turn his master against those who would fight against the Dark Lord. Eventually, a stronger wizard was able to come and cast him out, but that just sent him back to his master to cause more problems.
Where would you find this magnificent beard?
There are plenty of characters in these fantasy worlds that are known for their impressive beards - especially the Dwarves and the Giants! Hagrid has a human father, but his mother was of one of those two races - and he gained her stature as well as her people's impressive facial hair as a result. He is a friend to the heroes of this tale, although he has his weaknesses... especially when he drinks too much ale and gets to talking.
Which series does Haldir appear in?
Haldir was a great fighter, and a friend to the heroes on their quest. He appears twice in this franchise - first, earlier on when he helps to act as a guide to them when they are travelling, and then later, when he comes to their aid in a huge battle - and one that they may not have won if it was not for Haldir and the support that he brought to their cause. Which world did he appear in?
Which series saw this young man go into battle?
Although in a perfect world, only adults would be called upon to fight, when evil starts to rise in these fantasy realms it often happens that even children must stand and fight as well. In both Harry Potter and Lord of the Rings, some of the biggest battles involve fighters who seem to young to be taking part in them - and adults that lament that need. Which series saw Haleth taking part in a big battle when he was barely old enough?
Which series includes Gamling?
Gamling is the second in command of one of the older fighters on the side of good in this franchise, and has a much bigger role in the films than he did in the original book series (of course, he's far from the only one whose part is changed significantly from page to screen). He is loyal and stalwart, and can always be found at the right hand of his fearless leader, all the way through the biggest battles of the series.
Where would you find this villain?
This villainous man, Lucius, is the epitome of one who is searching for power, and who believes that he can find it best at the expense of his fellow man... by proving that he is 'better' than they are in some way. However, as the series continues, he begins to realize that allying himself with the side of evil may not prove to be quite as lucrative as he thought it would be - and by the end, he flees to save his family.
Which series features this witch?
Minerva is one of the biggest secondary characters in this series, and an absolute fan-favorite, so this should be an easy one! Although she appears to be very straight-laced and cold when she appears at the start of the franchise, this powerful magic user reveals herself to be not only caring and compassionate, but an indomitable fighter by the end of the series, when she rushes into the final battle to fight on the side of good (which she has been on from the start).
Which series includes this couple?
While there are those who find magic-users wonderful and exciting, there are also those in both Harry Potter and The Lord Of The Rings who think that they are nothing more than troublemakers. This couple, Mr and Mrs Proudfoot, are certainly the latter - as they see a wizard going by, they are seen glaring at him in disapproval, and it is clear that all they want is to have a quiet, respectable life where nothing out of the ordinary ever happens.
Which series includes this white-haired woman?
White hair seems to be a feature of both these fantasy realms, although Narcissa's mane is a rare combination of both black and white. Like her husband, she is initially on the side of the Dark Wizards, searching for power for herself and her family. However, by the end it is clear that she underestimated the one that she served - and while she doesn't stay and fight against them, she doesn't stay and fight with them in the final battle, either.
Which series includes this elderly man?
Mr Ollivander is someone who has a deep understanding of some of the magics of the world, and our questers meet him early on in the series. It is not till later, though, that they truly understand the kind of knowledge he possesses - and realize that he has been kidnapped by the Dark forces in order to try and get that information out of him. However, Ollivander doesn't budge until the heroes of this franchise rescue him, and then he tells them what they need to know.
Where would you find Olympe?
Although there are many races in both the fantasy worlds of Harry Potter and the Lord of the Rings, not all races are treated equally. Many of them do not trust each other, and think only of the worst stereotypes of each. It is this that leads Olympe to refuse to acknowledge her giant heritage, even though her vast height makes it obvious to anyone who would so much as look at her - although she will reveal this secret to those she truly trusts.
Which series includes this mistress of plants?
Plants are a vital part of any fantasy realm - whether they are magic themselves, or become ingredients in magic potions, or are simply used as healers or potions in the same way they are in our world. Pomona Sprout is a witch who is known for her talents when it comes to cultivating plants - even those that have their own magic, and may be dangerous to grow and harvest. Despite this, she doesn't have a lot of screen time in this franchise.
Where was this lovely lady a barmaid?
While questing may be largely danger and hardship, that doesn't mean that there is never time to stop at a tavern and have a drink or two along the way! Of course, this usually happens more toward the beginning of a quest, before things start to get really tough. Or, of course, at the very end, when the heroes are enjoying a well earned drink! Where was Rosie Cotton a cheerful barmaid, that one of our intrepid adventurers admitted to having a huge crush on?
Where would you find the proprietress of the Three Broomsticks?
There are several inns and pubs that exist in the worlds of Lord of the Rings and Harry Potter. The Prancing Pony, the Three Broomsticks, the Leaky Cauldron, and the Hogs Head are some of the best known in either series - as the heroes stop in for a warming drink after a tough day. Rosmerta is the proprietress of the Three Broomsticks, but is controlled by the big bad of the franchise, causing a lot of trouble before the spell is discovered.
Where would you find this wizard?
Not all wizards are as wise and good as Gandalf and Dumbledore - especially this one. Saruman was once thought of as one of the wisest wizards of his age, someone who was capable of seeing clearly and giving sage advice to any who asked. However, at the start of this franchise, it was revealed that he had been corrupted by a desire for power, and had become a servant of the big bad - a worrying thing, given the power that he wields.
Which series features Sirius?
When Sirius made his first appearance in this franchise, it was as a villain - one who had been trapped away for his work for the big bad. However, it eventually came to light that he was one of the good guys all along, and that his story had been twisted beyond all recognition. By the time he died, he was fully accepted as one of the good guys, and had become something of a father figure to the hero.
Which series includes Theoden?
Theoden changes significantly throughout this series, thanks to the heroes and their magic. At the start, he has been possessed by a dark wizard, and is barely even aware of what is happening around him - including the loss of someone dear to him. However, when a wizard fighting on the side of good is able to come to him, he is able to break the spell, releasing Theoden and allowing him to come back into the world and fight alongside the heroes.
Where would you find this prophetess?
In the worlds of both Harry Potter and The Lord of the Rings, there are those who can look into the future - although they aren't always correct. Prophecies are tricky things that need interpretation, and that also show only those things that could come to pass, not those that are fixed and unchangeable, no matter what. Trelawney is a witch who is a seer - although a very unreliable one, and who tends to see danger around every corner.
Which series features this serious young man?
With so much evil in both of these lands, it may seem surprising sometimes to see just how cheerful many of the characters are - but there are also those who take life very seriously, like Viktor here. Viktor is a very talented magic-user, and one who is known for his skills on the field. Although he is serious, he is also very honorable - although he is not present during any of the final battles, as he is elsewhere at the time.
Where would you find Xenophilius?
Finally, in which world would you encounter Xenophilius? This man is a big believer in right, although he is also very credulous, and tends to be a big believer in just about anything! However, when the big bad kidnaps his daughter, it becomes clear that his love for his family can easily push him to do the wrong thing to try and save her - even though he knows that it is the wrong thing, and feels terrible for doing it.