Charlie Vickers’ Favorite LOTR Scene Can Inspire The Rings of Power S3

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Ever since Amazon’s The Rings of Power was announced, people have been quick to compare it to Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies – and usually not in a good way. However, The Rings of Power doesn’t have to be seen as competition to the films. It can actually enhance what fans already love about The Lord of the Rings and build on that foundation.

Before The Rings of Power even came out in 2022, I read an interview with Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) and Charlie Vickers (Sauron) on Collider. They talked about how much they both loved Peter Jackson’s original Lord of the Rings trilogy, and shared some of their favorite moments. Charlie mentioned a specific scene from The Fellowship of the Ring that he said actually gave the writers a great idea for a storyline they’re planning for season three of The Rings of Power! It’s cool to know they’re still drawing inspiration from the source material.

The Lord of the Rings’ Nazgûl Terrified Charlie Vickers

Early in Frodo’s journey from the Shire to Bree, after narrowly avoiding a confrontation with Farmer Maggot, Frodo felt a sense of danger and told the other Hobbits to leave the road. They hid under the roots of an old tree just as a dark-robed rider appeared. The Hobbits had to stay completely quiet as the figure slowly passed over them, searching for the One Ring.

Vickers remembered being very frightened when he first saw that scene as a child, and it stayed with him ever since. The arrival of the Nazgûl was a key moment in the film, dramatically increasing the tension and shifting the story from a cheerful journey into something much darker.

While the scene comes from Tolkien’s book, the striking image of Frodo and his companions sheltering under a tree actually began with a 1978 film. That film then inspired a painting by renowned Lord of the Rings artist John Howe, which ultimately influenced the way Peter Jackson filmed the scene. Like these earlier works, The Rings of Power now has the opportunity to reimagine the scene with its own creative touch.

The Rings of Power Season 3 Will Lean Into the True Horror of Sauron

As a huge fan of Tolkien’s world, I was really blown away by the end of The Rings of Power season two! Seeing Sauron get all nine of those rings was a major moment, and I’m so excited (and a little scared!) to see him start handing them out to men in the next season. It’s interesting because in The Lord of the Rings, Sauron mostly stayed hidden in Barad-dûr, worried about being completely destroyed again – you remember what happened after that big war! But in The Rings of Power, they’re showing us a much more hands-on Sauron, actively trying to take over Middle-earth, and I’m loving it.

In Season 3, the show could depict Halbrand (Vickers) actively participating in a hunt with the Nazgûl, shifting his role from a character the audience fears for to one who wields power. So far, The Rings of Power has highlighted Sauron’s skill at deception and manipulation, but it hasn’t fully showcased his raw power. Referencing a terrifying scene from Peter Jackson’s films would be a great way to demonstrate that strength to viewers.

Successful installments in big franchises, like The Lord of the Rings, work best when they build on what came before, rather than trying to outdo previous versions. The Rings of Power can be enjoyed alongside Peter Jackson’s films, just as Jackson’s films existed alongside the earlier animated version. Each offers something unique, and while Jackson’s trilogy will likely always be considered the definitive adaptation, fans should still hope that The Rings of Power and other adaptations of Tolkien’s work reach their full potential.

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2026-02-27 01:36