As I delve deeper into the enchanting world of Middle-earth, I find myself utterly captivated by the unique journeys each character embarks upon. The Stranger, with his mysterious past and ever-evolving present, has undoubtedly been a standout figure this season. Yet, it’s not just our enigmatic stranger who’s growing; the harfoots too have undergone transformative experiences, leaving their familiar homes to navigate the unknown.
After a long, eager two-year anticipation, it’s finally here! I’m thrilled to continue following The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power‘s narrative, where Sauron is weaving his sinister plot to manipulate the diverse races of Middle-earth through the legendary rings bearing his name. In this upcoming season, The Rings of Power promises to delve into pivotal moments from Tolkien’s epic tale, as Sauron forms an alliance with Celebrimbor while the leaders of Middle-earth are on the brink of yielding to the allure of the rings’ power.
Game Rant recently held interviews with several stars from the upcoming season of “The Rings of Power”, exploring their characters’ reasons for action, changes experienced since the first season, and unique aspects of portraying complex roles such as Sauron, The Stranger with amnesia, and Gil-Galad, an elven character living for many years. For your convenience, this conversation has been shortened and simplified.
Charlie Vickers and Charles Edwards Discuss Sauron and Celebrimbor’s Relationship In The Rings of Power
A: Throughout the recent episodes and previous season, there have been instances where Sauron seemed somewhat regretful or contemplative. Do you view Sauron as an unadulterated embodiment of evil, or are you attempting to introduce some authentic feelings of compassion into his character?
As a gamer embodying Sauron: In my perspective, I don’t believe Sauron views himself as purely wicked. Portraying him as all-evil wouldn’t have been beneficial for me as an actor. Instead, I see his nature as complex, perhaps even dualistic. After all, Tolkien made it clear that in this tale, Sauron served as the embodiment of evil. But remember, every story needs a villain, and he filled that role perfectly.
For my portrayal, I focus on depicting the character as someone striving to mend and restore Middle-earth. The affection shown, especially during his initial encounter with Celebrimbor, is essential as it lays the foundation for their relationship. All of these emotions were deliberate.
A: What’s an interesting aspect to explore in Lord of the Rings is Suaron’s control over Celebrimbor. How would you depict the relationship between the skilled deceiver and the gifted artisan?
As a dedicated gamer, I must say, our journey together in this game has been an incredibly fulfilling experience. It’s been rich, engaging, and deeply satisfying because, just as you mentioned, it delves into the intriguing, psychological realms and presents challenges that really push us to our limits.
We aimed to keep in mind that throughout their interaction, it wasn’t solely Sauron controlling Celebrimbor; rather, there was a constant struggle of intellect and power between the two characters. This dynamic added depth to both gameplay and observation. Celebrimbor isn’t simply a pawn, he resists when necessary until his resistance weakens.
How did you develop the transformation in Celebrimbor’s feelings towards his meeting with Suaron, which initially seemed uncertain but later became enthusiastic?
User: I respectfully disagree, but I believe that he has been eagerly anticipating another encounter with Halbrand. When Sauron appears in a god-like manner, it’s hard to resist, and I don’t see any instances where Celebrimbor could have perceived otherwise, given the extraordinary and almost transcendent circumstances. In such situations, one tends to go along with the flow.
After some time, flaws eventually emerge in his actions, but at first, it requires convincing him. He holds out for quite a while. Eventually, driven by ambition and a desire to join this venture, trusting that the intentions are honorable (which he believes), he agrees. However, over time, things change, but initially, he’s on board with the plan.
Question: What would you say are some key traits that help convey the complexity of the character, Suaron?
Vickers: It seems to me that his intentions are clear and that any character traits we see are a result of what he aspires for. This point was quite apparent to me, even from the earliest pages of The Silmarillion, The Rings of Power, The Akallabeth, and all related works. At least during this period, what he desires is to heal Middle-earth.
Everything originates from his passion for craftsmanship, which extends far back. You may recall, he was an apprentice to Aule, a renowned artisan. This connection is particularly productive because he adores art and cherishes exquisite items, and holds in high esteem anyone who can breathe life into such creations. Therefore, it seems that this aspect of his character, especially during this era, is crucial: crafting stunning rings.
Benjamin Walker and Ismael Cruz Cordova Weigh In On Portraying the Elves Gil-Galad and Arondir
A: Did Ismael’s character experience significant events during the past season? If so, has he noticed any changes in season two because of those experiences?
Ismael Cruz Cordova (Arondir): Indeed, since the first season, I’ve sensed that Arondir is an elf with a unique path. If he continues along this trajectory and we get to journey with him for thousands of years, there might be a chance, if it’s feasible, for him to evolve into a human.
I think there’s a crack within his “elvenness” and this curiosity and this admiration for humanity that is really transforming him, and he is evidently more receptive than many of the other elves to do so. Falling in love with a human and the proximity that he has in the hierarchy to humans as well. He’s like a lower-class elf in a certain way and I think you see that existential human crisis is very human. What he goes through in the second season is quite a bit like there’s that elvenness fighting that humanness.
Question: Each of you is portraying elves. Can you describe what you envision as the essence of elvish appearance? How do you convey this in your performance?
Benjamin Walker (as Gil-Galad): One challenge in grasping this Tolkien universe is the vast extent of time they’ve lived through. It raises a thought: When you’ve witnessed everything and everyone you care about pass away, repeatedly, how do you find the resilience to keep loving? How do you find the willpower to keep hoping?
Here are the elves you’re referring to – the ones who decided to remain in this world. They harbor a profound longing for it, almost to an excessive degree. I find their characters truly commendable, given their endurance to stay in Middle-earth, aware of the looming threat of evil’s revival. Despite this daunting reality, they stand united and defend not just any group, but various creatures on a vast, muddy island. To me, there’s a sense of nobility about them. There’s an element that could be seen as arrogant, but I suppose that’s unavoidable. I greatly enjoy playing Gil-Galad for these very reasons.
Cordova: When it comes to understanding what it means to be an elf while working and preparing for the role, it can be quite challenging to delve into such abstract concepts philosophically. However, I found it incredibly helpful to recognize that there are individuals among us who share certain elven qualities, namely those from indigenous cultures. These cultures embody a spirit passed down through generations, a deep connection with nature, and a unique perspective on space, time, life, and the spiritual world. It’s as if they have a 1000-mile gaze, and this is where I believe you can find the essence of elvenness. In my opinion, this example provides valuable insight into what it means to be an elf.
A: How would you describe Ben’s emotional state given that his character is grappling with a rather intricate predicament? Gil-Galad is battling internal corruption, and now there’s the additional threat of Sauron. Is he managing these challenges emotionally well?
The individual appears a tad aggravated. I often picture him as a caring parent, so his response could be seen as, “I warned you all, it would break. And now, look! It’s broken. Let’s see if we can fix it.” Or, “You climbed the tree. Now, let’s see if you can come down from it.”
In my opinion, it appears that his actions stem from a source of love, but by the beginning of the second season, he seems exasperated because perhaps this situation could have been avoided, but then again, conflict is essential for drama and Tolkien knew that well. One aspect I admire about Tolkien’s writing is how he portrays the inevitability of evil, which I find intriguing. To me, it’s fascinating to see these all-knowing or partially all-knowing characters getting tricked right from the start – it showcases the power and cunningness of evil.
Daniel Weyman, Markella Kavenagh, and Megan Richards Reflect on The Stranger and the Harfoots’ Journey So Far
Question: Over the course of Season 1, The Stranger has been uncovering more about himself. How would you address his growing clarity as we move into Season 2? Does the character of The Stranger in Season 2 seem distinctly different compared to how he was portrayed in Season 1?
Daniel Weyman (The Stranger): It’s intriguing indeed. The enjoyable aspect of season two for me was that I sensed, rather than feeling comfortable in season one, there was no dialogue. So, he could express himself through physical responses. In season two, it seems like the ground is always shifting beneath his feet, leaving little time to ponder the words and their meanings. Instead, he must react instinctively.
Previously, his vocalizations transformed into actual speech, making it more straightforward for us. Consequently, we found ourselves in a world unfamiliar to all the characters, devoid of water or sustenance. We encountered other communities too, some were fear-inducing while others were inspiring. This persistent state of vulnerability made the language development less prominent. Fortunately, there were words readily available for me to use, which was helpful when I needed to respond. Hopefully, that clarifies things.
Have we been discussing the Stranger’s development this season, or have you noticed any growth among the Harfoot community too?
Markella Kavenagh (Nori Brandyfoot): A multitude of transformations! For the first time, they’re separated from their usual harfoot community. This shift alone is significant, but you can witness its impact on them as the story unfolds.
Megan Richards (speaking about Poppy Proudfellow): I believe there’s a beautiful evolution in Poppy’s character that we can observe, and this development continues from what was shown in season one, making it even more delightful. What’s fascinating is that the audience will get to witness new paths Poppy chooses in her life, paths she never knew were possible. It’s truly rewarding to see this growth unfold, and yes, there are countless changes happening all the time. It can be quite overwhelming!
Question: In what way do you get deeply involved in playing a character such as The Stranger? Isn’t it difficult to depict a character who isn’t self-aware himself?
Weyman: It turns out, I find, that it’s simpler in a strange way because there’s no need to concern myself with anything that happened before the initial scene I shoot. In season one, I essentially woke up in a crater, met Nori, and started from there. For each scene, I just focused on dealing with what was present, which helps shape my character in the viewers’ minds. However, I never had to create the character myself since I was learning as I went along. I felt it was a unique advantage of this role, and I’ve truly enjoyed the experience.
Richards: That’s a good challenge for staying in the present.
A: Could you tell me about some significant distinctions you observe when portraying Harfoots instead of a standard human character? Do you sense that their perspective on the world or behavior differs from what one might expect from a typical human?
Kavenagh: Oh, that’s a great question. I think they do.
Richards: I believe it’s due to their unique situations being quite distinct from the average… to be honest, humanity is incredibly diverse!
Kavenagh: The Harfoots remind me of a compilation of human life’s various emotions and adventures because they encompass a wide array of feelings and experiences. Given their brief lifespan, they’ve essentially lived numerous lives. Thus, I believe that there’s something in each Harfoot and other Halflings we encounter that resonates with humans.
Response: In terms of relationships, I believe it’s indeed crucial to consider this aspect. The question you pose is quite intriguing.
Kavenagh: Love that question.
[END]
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2024-08-29 19:37