Why Azog the Defiler Was Reintroduced in The Hobbit Trilogy Movies

Have you ever wondered why Azog the Defiler, a prominent character in "The Lord of the Rings," suddenly showed up in the "The Hobbit" trilogy movies? This enigma has puzzled both fans and critics alike. Azog, famously killed at Azanulbizar, was resurrected in an effort to create a stronger antagonist, but this decision didn't sit well with many. In this article, we will explore the reasons behind Azog's unexpected appearance and the impact it had on the film series.

Azog in the Books

In the original "The Hobbit" book by J.R.R. Tolkien, Azog the Defiler is a significant antagonist. He is introduced during the battle of Moria, where he fights against the dwarves and cuts off the hand of Thorin Oakenshield. However, he is ultimately defeated and killed during the battle. This event is a pivotal moment in the story, marking a turning point for Thorin and the other dwarves.

Azog in the Movies

Despite the clear death of Azog in the books, he reappeared in the "The Hobbit" movie trilogy. This reintroduction served a different purpose in the films, which were significantly longer and contained more material than the book. The movies were designed to be a three-part series, and to achieve this, additional characters and plot points were introduced to sustain the narrative for a more extended runtime.

Controversy and Modifications

Many argue that the reintroduction of Azog was unnecessary and disruptive. The decision to bring back a character who was killed years earlier has been criticized as a way to pad out the story and create a more dramatic antagonist. As Birgit points out, "Personally I think it would’ve been neat to see Bolg rousing the goblins up and down the Misty Mountains to lead an attack on the Lonely Mountain—that was in the Book." This suggests that the more logical and faithful approach would have been to use Bolg, Azog's son, as the primary antagonist.

Impact on Plot and Pacing

The addition of Azog led to several changes in the storyline and the pacing of the movies. For starters, the removal of Azog as a character meant that the dwarves needed more time to navigate other challenges. In the books, the journey through Mirkwood takes weeks as the dwarves starve and face various dangers. However, in the movies, this part of the journey was drastically shortened to a few minutes. Similarly, the battle with the giant spiders was significantly condensed.

Birgit also notes, "Then Peter Jackson decided to expand the big battle from 10 minutes to an hour which meant dividing the planned two movies into three movies and throwing off the pacing." This underscores the complexity of adapting the story for the film medium. The decision to lengthen the battle scenes and the subsequent division into more movies influenced the overall narrative and pacing.

On the positive side, the addition of Azog provided a more formidable and emotionally impactful antagonist for Thorin. The films aimed to create a stronger narrative, but the inclusion of Azog also highlighted the differences between the book and the movies. Many fans felt that the books provided a more cohesive and satisfying story without the need for such extensive modifications.

Conclusion

In conclusion, the reintroduction of Azog the Defiler in the "The Hobbit" trilogy movies was a decision made to enhance the narrative and generate more excitement, but it was met with controversy. While fans of the books appreciated the faithfulness to the original story, the movies introduced changes and alterations that some felt detracted from the integrity of the narrative. The decision to include Azog reminds us of the challenges faced when adapting beloved literary works to the screen.