Who Plays High King Gil-Galad On Amazon's Rings Of Power?
Elves can be a fickle bunch within the Tolkien universe. Typically described as aloof and uninterested in the affairs of Man, Elves even have apprehension about other Elves — that is, if they come from a different kingdom. In the "Lord of the Rings" trilogy, the half-Elven leader of Rivendell, Elrond (Hugo Weaving), provides a safe haven for the fledgling group of adventurers who have just recently learned of the power of the One Ring. He tasks the group with its destruction, which is a duty that ultimately falls to the hobbit Frodo (Elijah Wood) instead of any of the Men, Elves, or Dwarves present. At this stage in Tolkienian history, the Elves of Middle-earth are leaving for a mystical area across the sea.
However, the Amazon television series "The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power" is set before the events of "The Lord of the Rings," and the Elves are very much still active in the politics of the world. One such character, Gil-Galad, is the last High King of the Ñoldor. This actually isn't the first time Gil-Galad has been represented on-screen; the character is briefly shown during the prologue of "The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring," portrayed by Mark Ferguson. But who plays Gil-Galad in Amazon's foray into Middle-earth?
High King Gil-Galad is played by Benjamin Walker
It turns out that the actor who plays High King Gil-Galad has actually had some experience with the supernatural before. Probably best recognized as the 16th president and avid undead killer in "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter," Benjamin Walker also has also appeared in movies such as "Flags of Our Fathers," "In the Heart of the Sea," "The Choice," and "The Ice Road." Speaking with Collider, Walker was asked if doing a big movie like "Abraham Lincoln: Vampire Hunter" had led to him getting roles in other movies, to which he replied, "It certainly comes and goes. I don't think there is ever a moment where you say, 'I've done a big movie and now I can continue to do big movies! Health insurance is an assured thing!'"
Luckily for Walker, he continued to get work after starring as a vampire-hunting president, also lending his talents to television series like "Traitors" and "Jessica Jones," so there's probably a good chance that you've seen this actor before. In "Jessica Jones," Walker plays Erik Gelden, an associate and romantic partner of the titular character. Blessed (or cursed) with the ability to sense the evil and corruption in the souls and minds of those around him, Gelden is partially responsible for the arrest of his abusive father, which spirals into the inadvertent death of his mother. This causes the character to be somewhat reluctant to use his powers to help people and instead uses them to blackmail evildoers.
Gil-Galad is the last High King of the Elves of the West
Knowing a thing or two about leadership and power is sure to aid in Benjamin Walker's interpretation of High King Gil-Galad. In the context of the Tolkien universe, High King Gil-Galad has an impressive array of titles, including High King of the Elves of the West, King of Lindon, King of the Eldar, Lord of Eriador, and Lord of the High Elves. These titles confer the power and respect Gil-Galad commands, and he is considered the ultimate ruler of the Elves until he leads a combined force against the armies of Sauron and Mordor, which is probably best highlighted by the opening prologue of "The Fellowship of the Ring."
In an interview with Collider, Walker was pressed for details about "Rings of Power," but the actor insisted that it's very important to not have anything spoiled, adding, "I really can't say a lot, and here's the thing. It's usually annoying when they tell you not to talk about it. On this one I kind of agree with them." He continued, "Because there's so much attention and because so much happens, it's important that we do protect it. So I really can't say a lot, other than you will be glad you knew so little when you see it." Considering these comments, it seems as if fans of "The Lord of the Rings" are in for a wild ride, as well as several episodes featuring Walker's Gil-Galad.