Xenite.Org News

Bruce Hopkins cast as Gamling the Old, Tolkien put Elves at Hornburg - Lord of the Rings news - J.R.R. Tolkien's The Lord of the Rings

August 11, 2000 at 18:48:41

TheOneRing.Net and other Web sites are reporting that Bruce Hopkins, one of New Zealand's most active actors, has been cast as Gamling the Old, the Captain of Westfold (the officer Erkenbrand left in charge of the Hornburg).

Hopkins has appeared in popular television shows such as Shortland Street, Hercules: The Legendary Journeys, and Xena: Warrior Princess.

Gamling is in charge of the undermanned fortress, the Hornburg, when Theoden arrives with more than 1,000 Riders of Rohan, Aragorn, Legolas, and Gimli. Erkenbrand, the Lord of Westfold, had led the Westfold's militia out to reinforce the Muster of the West-march (formerly commanded by Theoden's son Theodred, but he was slain in the first battle of the Fords of Isen).

Tolkien only used the title of "captain" for Gamling in early drafts of The Lord of the Rings. Interestingly, it was Tolkien's original idea to have an army of Elves from Lorien arrive with the Ents and Huorns to lift the siege of the Hornburg. Peter Jackson may be drawing upon some greater Tolkien lore than most fans possess as the inspiration for bringing Arwen to the Hornburg with an army of Elves.