5 things from The Lord of the Rings books we wish were in the movies

The Lord of the Rings has a very special place in my heart, as well as in the hearts of many of us nerds. The series is a gigantic, magical treasure chest, whether we're talking about J.R.R. Tolkien's written masterpiece or Peter Jackson's incredible movie adaptation. Each book is rich in detail, crammed with heroics, epic battles, and storytelling magic. The Lord of the Rings, as well as Tolkien's other works, has provided a foundation for countless other writers out there, myself included.

When Jackson's movies hit theaters in the early 2000s,, it was wild. I remember being 12 and sitting in theaters with my very limited English vocabulary, marveling at the screen. Thank you, mom, for dragging an initially unwilling Camila to watch it in theaters. I fell in love with it all right then and there, even though a lot of the English didn't make sense to me at the time. As I learned the language more, the movies began to resonate with me, so I decided to read the trilogy for the first of many times.

I realized that even though the movies were iconic, legendary, and nearly perfect, there were quite a few things from the books that didn't make it to the big screen. I understand that even in a world where eagles can save the day and trees can talk, we can't have it all, but there was some super-cool stuff from the books that would have been really exciting to see onscreen and would enhance the story even further.

So, let’s dive into five things that got left behind, like forgotten coins in Bilbo's couch cushions.

1) Tom Bombadil and the Old Forest

Imagine strolling into a forest where the trees are centuries old, and a fellow with a twinkle in his eye dances around like he owns the place. Well, meet Tom Bombadil, the king of whimsy in Middle-earth. Loved by nearly all LOTR readers, Tom is a jolly chap who lives in the Old Forest, which is just a stone's throw from the Shire. Tom is a guy so cheery that even the grumpiest of old trees can't help but get in a good mood around him. He's comparable to that one uncle who turns up at family gatherings, bursting with stories that are too wild to be true yet too fun to question. And his fashion sense? Let's just say that if loud patterns and colors were a sport, Tom would be the undisputed champion.

The Old Forest isn't your average bunch of trees and bushes. The trees here woke up on the wrong side of the bed for a few hundred years. They're grumpy, slightly creepy, and not too fond of visitors. But along comes Tom Bombadil, singing and laughing, and suddenly it's not so gloomy anymore. Tom has a magical touch that makes even the crankiest old willow tree lighten up. When it comes to the Barrow-downs, a place so spooky it could make a ghost shiver, Tom just waltzes through like it's a walk in the park and rescues anyone who gets in a pickle. Missing out on Tom and his forest shenanigans in the Peter Jackson movies was like having a cake without the frosting -- still good, but oh, what could have been.

If Tom had been in the movies, it would've been like throwing a curveball into a game of chess. With Tom around, the early part of Frodo and the Fellowship's journey would've had a bit more sparkle, a bit more laughter, and definitely a lot more singing. It would've been a delightful detour from the doom and gloom of Frodo's journey, giving everyone a much-needed breather before diving back into the serious business of destroying the One Ring.

Next, let's talk about something left out from the end of the books. Click the button below to read on!