CNet:
There are four ages in Tolkien's works. Lord of the Rings was set in the Third Age, and this series will take place in The Second Age, Amazon revealed in a tweet sent in March 2019. The famous One Ring of Lord of the Rings fame was forged in this time period by the Dark Lord Sauron, who seems likely to be a major part of the new show.
Welcome to the Second Age: — The Lord of the Rings on Prime (@LOTRonPrime)
Amazon's Salke told Deadline, "we're not remaking the movies, but we're also not starting from scratch. So, it'll be characters you love."
But probably not one particular character. Tolkien fan site stirred buzz among fans in May 2018 by that the show's first season would be centered on a young Aragorn. Portrayed by Viggo Mortensen in the Peter Jackson movies, he was an acclaimed warrior and ranger who plays a major role in Lord of the Rings. But that rumor fell flat once Amazon confirmed the Second Age setting, since Aragorn wouldn't have been around then.
It is not yet clear if they're focusing on Numenor in the Second Age, or the Last Alliance of Elves and Men.
(Score: 2) by ikanreed on Sunday January 19 2020, @02:44AM (2 children)
The silmilarian is very clear that the Istari arrived in the third age.
(Score: 0) by Anonymous Coward on Sunday January 19 2020, @08:27AM
yeah, sure, but who even read that let alone understood it
(Score: 2) by edIII on Sunday January 19 2020, @11:35PM
Correct, which has nothing to do with their age actually. Technically, they don't have one. They were very much alive during the 2nd age, and indeed the 1st age.
Gandalf was Olorin, a Maiar. If they wish to represent Saruman, Gandalf, Radagast, etc., in the 2nd age, it's going to be as the primordial spirits that helped the Valar create the world in the first place. They'll have no knowledge of living in the flesh, or what wizards even are, or their names in the 3rd age.
That's why Gandalf against a Balrog wasn't really a contest, because Gandalf had his hands tied playing the role of "wizard in a flesh suit". While technically equal (Balrogs were also Maiar), Gandalf can "respawn" indefinitely through the aid of the Valar.
Technically, lunchtime is at any moment. It's just a wave function.