What would it have looked like if PJ's 🧙Radagast had been cast in FotR?

[Eledhwen]

What would LotR have looked like if Radagast and his Roscobel Rabbits had made it onto the set? The story had begun to grow darker by then.

Where could PJ have introduced this bouncy, jovial creation; liaising with Saruman, meeting Gandalf near Bree, spreading Gandalf's news to the birds and beasts? The moth replaced Radagast in FotR; so he would have to be one of the creatures Radagast had spoken to, if the connecting scene with Gwaihir the Windlord were to remain unaltered.

My tortured imagination can just about deal with him if he loses the rabbits.

 

[Maiden_of Harad]

Maybe Radagast could have barged in at Bilbo's birthday party then make an appearance later. But...

...I don't like PJ's Radagast at all! His portrayal is so undignified, so unlike the Radagast that was looking for the "uncouth" Shire. The only thing I liked about him was the rabbit sled, though it seems more fitting for Narnia than Middle-Earth.

PJ's Radagast would be horribly out of place in FOTR, in my opinion.

 

[Starbrow]

I agree. PJ's Radagast would stand out like a sore thumb in LOTR. He helps lighten up The Hobbit.

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

If Radagast was in FOTR, I'd have put him right before Gandalf reached Orthanc, replacing the part where Gandalf and Saruman are strolling through the gardens...Radagast would tell Gandalf about the Nine crossing the river Isen and say Saruman was seeking Gandalf. Gandalf would then reach Orthanc and we'd start off there from the scene inside the tower before Saruman imprisons Gandalf.

 

[Mike]

He would have been in the Old Forest, cast as Tom Bombadil.

 

[Eledhwen]

He would have been in the Old Forest, cast as Tom Bombadil.

Now you mention it, the character seems much more like Tom than Radagast. I agree with Starbrow, though; The Hobbit film has a darker feel than the book, and PJ's Radagast will help children (the original target audience) engage with the story. Maybe Beorn's house will fill that role in the next film. I couldn't help noticing that The Carrock is bear-shaped.

 

[darkstar]

If Radagast was in FOTR, I'd have put him right before Gandalf reached Orthanc, replacing the part where Gandalf and Saruman are strolling through the gardens...Radagast would tell Gandalf about the Nine crossing the river Isen and say Saruman was seeking Gandalf. Gandalf would then reach Orthanc and we'd start off there from the scene inside the tower before Saruman imprisons Gandalf.

perfect placement.... sans rabbits, of course

 

[Erestor Arcamen]

Of course Radagast was not the only important part missing from FOTR, we also missed Tom Bombadil, which I think PJ was just not literary enough to understand and put to screen.

Also, in ROTK, we didn't have the Scourging of the Shire, which PJ said he thought was silly. Yeah because *SPOILER ALERT* giant earthworms digging holes for orcs to come out of and then disappearing, never to be seen again is not?