If at first you don't succeed, try and try again. That is certainly a motto that rings true for The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power star Ismael Cruz Córdova.
The actor takes on the role of Silvan Elf Arondir in the Amazon Prime Video series, a part he "ferociously" pursued despite getting multiple rejections from the show's team, he told Newsweek.
'The Rings of Power' Star Ismael Cruz Córdova 'Kept Fighting' for Arondir Role Despite Rejections
Córdova's character is new to the world of J. R. R. Tolkien's Middle Earth and was created for the purpose of the show. Arondir helps keep watch over the South Lands where the Men whose ancestors supported the Dark Lord Morgoth during the First Age of Middle Earth live.
While watching over these humans, he falls in love with one, Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi), who hails from the village Tirharad. But when evil appears to resurface in the region he takes it upon himself to stop it.
Córdova portrays the first Black elf to appear in the franchise. This has led to some debate online about diversity between fans. But for the actor, taking on the role was important because he felt so connected to Arondir, even during the auditioning process.
"I love him, you know, I truly do. I had such a journey of pursuing this role, it was maybe I would, say, six, seven months of auditions and rejections, auditions [and] auditions," Córdova told Newsweek. "I was rejected several times for the role.
"I kept fighting for the role in many circumstances, and really ferociously pursuing this guy because the first time that I read [the script] I felt, I think many actors we feel the same way, the character kind of stares back at us, more that you understand that [character] it kind of understands you.
"He's such a warrior spirit. I think I, you know, through the journey that I've had in my life, I consider myself a warrior as well.
"So I think that's the connection that I had with him that no matter what obstacles I faced, you know, [I] grew up in a very poor environment, no education in my family, all the way to being sitting here with you.
"Same [for] Arondir, [he] has quite the story that you've seen, no matter what obstacles are thrown at him he does not shy away from them, you know?
"He thinks on the spot and is led by love, just like I've been led by love from my people, my family, in this dream of mine."
Reflecting on his character, the actor went on: "I think the guy is pretty awesome and I am very honored, I'm very honored to have connected with that role and that I'm able to play him, and bring him to your device."
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power premieres with its first two episodes on Friday, September 2 and the show will air weekly thereafter on Prime Video.
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Newsweek is committed to challenging conventional wisdom and finding connections in the search for common ground.
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