4 Words in Lord of the Rings Quietly Changed Everything About Its Greatest Villain

A single line in the extended edition of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers dramatically changed how audiences viewed Sauron. Before the journey to Rohan, Gandalf tells Aragorn, “Sauron fears you.” This surprised many viewers, as it seemed impossible the Dark Lord could be afraid of anyone. However, this idea comes directly from J.R.R. Tolkien’s book, The Return of the King, where Aragorn states Sauron wasn’t powerful enough to be beyond fear – a sentiment Gandalf echoes in the film. Considering Sauron’s past encounters with Aragorn’s ancestors, his fear makes sense and provides a deeper understanding of his motivations during the War of the Ring.








