What if Gandalf Joined Saruman? Theory

Gandalf was an instrumental character in Middle-earth, but much would have been different if he had joined Saruman in his pursuit of the One Ring and power. Thank you all so much for watching, let me know your thoughts about this theory and its premise in the comments below! As always, a great thanks to the online artists whose visual works made this video possible! If you are one of the artists, please let me know and I will post your name and a link to your work in this description!

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[easonliu]

Tell me my friend, why would saruman the wise choose reason over madness

[xCheeseHeadx]

What if Gandalf had joined Saruman?

Well, he'd take the hobbits to Isengard. Obviously.

[fgtrhwu]

Saruman wanted to be a dark lord so bad that when his plans in middle earth failed he joined the Sith.

[christosvoskresye]

What if the Balrog had decided to HELP the Fellowship of the Ring?

[Longshanks]

What if the Ring had never betrayed Isildur and remained an heirloom of the Kingdom of Gondor?

[deejayxcrypt]

What if Gandalf and Saruman, instead of helping out in the war against Sauron and other evils, began their own joint pipeweed industry?

[GormyK]

They're taking the Hobbits to Isengard!

[UNLebanon]

All the while, Golum was just hanging out in his cave playing Minecraft.

[followingtheroe]

This would have to also be an alternative universe without Pipeweed; because how else could Gandalf have defected?

[thelyle]

“Whom do you serve?”
Random Jamaican orc: “Gandalf mon!”

[MrYTGuy]

I'm not convinced it would end badly either. Illuvatar demonstrated that even the discord introduced by melkor can be tamed and made to serve the ultimate goal of the great music. In other words the events may have played out differently but the end result would be the same in that it would be be that of illuvatar's will and his will alone.

[Spooky]

I don't know if the Valar would have simply sent more Maiar to Middle Earth, since in this scenario, all of the Maiar who had come to its shores had been corrupted or lost. I think they would have called forth Eru Illuvatar, as they did at the end of the Second Age, and the results would have been catastrophic for the world.

[dxmaster]

Rohan without question, not only are the people brave and honourable but the scenery is incredible and everything from their affinity with horses to the horn Theoden blows so hard it shatters in his hand. How can you get so awesome?!

[joshuaott]

Damn, Last time I was this early the Elves were still teaching the Ents to awaken

[CharlesMarlow]

“Saruman, " I said, standing away from him, "only one hand at a time can weild the One, and you know that well, so do not trouble to say we!”
― Gandalf

― J.R.R. Tolkien, The Fellowship of the Ring

[treasurecave]

If gandalf joined saruman(and also by that joining sauron), middle earth would be conquered

[christianfarren]

Erebor in its prime would be my choice.

The exquisite craftsmanship, the ancient lore, roaring fires, malt beer, ripe meat off the bone, and hearty celebration.

What’s not to love?

[Gigas]

"They knew the fates of the Blue Wizards and didn't search for them."
I'm very curious to hear your thoughts on the Blue Wizards, as I don't think I know the fates of the Blue Wizards and you have a talent for weaving some of the most compelling tales of Middle Earth that I've heard since Tolkien himself.


I wonder how long Saruman had been corrupted by those dark thoughts and designs of his, if there's a way he could have been given the ring but not have already turned to evil.

[narri]

I like Rivendell, the Idea of a city on the edge of a gorge is a beautiful imagery for me and to have it secured by a river crossing and hidden away, makes Rivendell one of the kings of the hidden city tropes im so fond of.

[geviesanta]

"Smoke rises from the mountains of doom. The hour grows late and Gandalf the Grey rise to Isengard, seeking my counsol."