what two brands...?
ACI and Asmus.
I wouldn't go so far as to a competition. I think a lot of it was coincidence. If I was going to start a Lord of the Rings line Aragorn is one of the biggest characters from the movies so it makes sense that either an Aragorn, Gandalf or Frodo come near the beginning of the line. Frodo takes the most R&D so that leaves Gandalf and Aragorn. Asmus started with Gandalf the White and they have had Aragorn on their short list since the very beginning (or at least from when they announced the line on the boards). As far a villains go all the orcs are more of one use characters and but the Nazgul are essential to the story, in all three movies, there is no actor likeness to match and people might buy multiples. Now if ACI announces Gurtiz figure then I might start to wonder.