Exclusive: Sauron and Celebrimbor actors tease team-up in The Rings of Power season 2

As a seasoned gamer and a die-hard Lord of the Rings fan, I must say, I was absolutely thrilled to have been at San Diego Comic-Con this year and had the chance to chat with the talented cast of The Rings of Power ahead of its release! It’s like my geeky dreams are coming true one by one.

For enthusiasts of “Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power”, here’s a little something special for you! We recently attended San Diego Comic-Con and got to engage with the charming and gifted cast of the much-anticipated Prime Video series before its debut on Thursday, August 29th!

We definitely can’t wait, and know you can’t either. That’s why we’re bringing you an interview with actor Charlie Vickers (Halbrand, aka Annatar, aka Sauron) alongside Charles Edwards, who plays the elven craftsman Celebrimbor. What’s in store for these two in the season ahead? Read on!

Exclusive: Sauron and Celebrimbor actors tease team-up in The Rings of Power season 2

The new look

To begin, let’s discuss Sauron’s latest appearance. Contrary to what some may have assumed from the trailer, his long hair is not a disguise for concealing his identity, as suggested by Vickers.

“I come back into Eregion as Halbrand. But I think I can get away with that because Galadriel never admitted to anyone that Halbrand is Sauron,” said Vickers. “Everyone in Eregion, they’re just like, oh, there’s that guy that was here a couple months ago. Like, where has he been? Galadriel, because of the shame that she’s had this whole time, wasn’t able to admit to anyone what she’d done. She brought out Sauron into the midst of everyone. So, I changed the way I look, but that’s more just to get him [Celebrimbor] to do what I want. I could have stayed as Halbrand and got away with it.”

As a longtime fan of the Lord of the Rings series, I eagerly anticipate the upcoming season and the character development of Halbrand/Sauron. Based on my understanding of the lore, it seems that this character’s primary objective is to restore Middle-earth, and he believes the key to achieving this lies in impressing Celebrimbor.

Exclusive: Sauron and Celebrimbor actors tease team-up in The Rings of Power season 2

Celebrimbor “wants to be famous”

As a gamer immersed in this fantasy world, I’m finding myself trying to make an impression on Celebrimbor, the Elven Smith, much like Sauron seems to be doing. Edward’s character this season is driven by ego, and he’s chosen to join forces with Sauron – though it’s crucial to remember that, just like everyone else, he isn’t aware that Annatar is actually Sauron in disguise.

In the first season, there were hints that he was somewhat self-absorbed and driven for success. Although he wasn’t heavily featured in season 1, those qualities were subtly introduced because they would become significant later on. Edwards also mentioned that this character, like J.R.R. Tolkien’s own character, strives to surpass the acclaim and talent of his renowned ancestor. Throughout his journey, he seeks projects that will propel him into greatness. While he aims to do good and assist others, he also desires to have his name inscribed on some sort of commemorative plaque – in other words, he yearns for fame.

Due to this recent collaboration, it’s clear that there will be an increase in interactions between Halbrand and Celebrimbor in the second season of The Rings of Power. Interestingly, despite requiring chemistry development, it seemed effortless for both actors to work together effectively.

Edwards shared, “During the first season, there was more mystery surrounding who we were and where our tales were heading. We anticipated this change, knowing it would unfold in season 2, which made us even more excited. Every day at work was enjoyable, and the story was filmed sequentially, eliminating the usual jumps experienced during filming. This allowed us to immerse ourselves daily in an incredible set, a forge, where we narrated the story with a handful of Elven coworkers, occasional visits from dwarves included.”

Exclusive: Sauron and Celebrimbor actors tease team-up in The Rings of Power season 2

Playing an iconic villain

Vickers was excitedly anticipating reaching this section of the story since it marked the initial step in the transformation of Sauron, a character renowned as one of literature’s most notorious villains, according to his statement. This segment serves as the primary launching pad for Sauron’s on-screen portrayal.

In his own words, Vickers shared that when he initially learned about being part of the show, he didn’t realize he would embody Sauron. He thought he was merely playing Halbrand from Southlands. However, as rumors swirled, the cast speculated that Sauron might be connected to Halbrand. As he tried to make sense of it all, he found himself confirming his suspicions. This revelation brought a sense of relief and excitement, as if a burden had been lifted. Despite not feeling the pressure associated with the role, he expressed immense gratitude for the opportunity to tell this story and contribute to the character in some way.

If you’re curious, indeed they are quite engaging and friendly individuals, making the interaction truly enjoyable. Their enthusiasm shines through, and I believe it effectively comes across in their performances on-screen.

The grand opening is set for August 29! That’s when season 2 of “The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power” will be available on Amazon Prime Video, starting with the first three episodes. Don’t forget to tune in!

2024-08-20 19:41