[summary]In the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, Sauron transitions from his Halbrand disguise to Annatar, the Lord of Gifts, allowing him to manipulate Celebrimbor into forging additional rings of power. Designer Barrie Gower elaborates on the distinct visual approach taken to make Charlie Vickers’ portrayal of Annatar stand out from other Elves, highlighting the importance of crafting an ethereal and flawless appearance. This transformation aligns more closely with Tolkien’s lore after the show’s first season obscured Sauron’s identity through various red herrings. With Sauron’s true identity now revealed, the show can focus on his deceptive role as Annatar, emphasizing his seemingly fair yet foul nature.[/summary]
The Unique Transformation of Sauron in The Rings of Power
Crafting Sauron’s Elven Form: A Distinctive Approach
In the second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, we witness a significant transformation as Sauron sheds his mortal guise of Halbrand to become Annatar, the Lord of Gifts. This transformation is pivotal as it allows Sauron to manipulate Celebrimbor into forging the remaining rings of power, eventually positioning himself as the unofficial ruler of Eregion. Barrie Gower, the show’s designer, recently discussed the meticulous process of distinguishing Sauron’s Elven form from other Elves in Middle-earth.
Speaking to Screen Rant, Gower emphasized the importance of differentiating Charlie Vickers’ Annatar from the other Elves. He noted that it was crucial to imbue Vickers with a flawless, ethereal presence, contrasting sharply with Sam Hazeldine’s Adar, who represents the other end of the spectrum. Every aspect of Vickers’ appearance, from his angular, upturned Elven ears to the subtle sheen of his foundation, was crafted to create an otherworldly aura.
Detailed Craftsmanship in Creating Annatar
Gower elaborates on the intricate process of designing Annatar’s appearance. He explains how they adapted Charlie Vickers’ natural features to create the perfect Elven look. “Fortunately, Charlie has very nice ears, so we were able to give them these beautiful, slightly upturned angular ears,” Gower mentions. The team studied the anatomy of Elven ears from previous adaptations to ensure a harmonious blend with Vickers’ facial makeup and hairstyle, accentuated by a slight widow’s peak.
The challenge was to ensure that every element—from the makeup to the costume—worked in unison without disrupting the character’s ethereal presence. Even Vickers’ complexion was carefully considered, with a foundation that added a slight sheen, contributing to the divine and separate appearance of Annatar compared to other Elves.
Balancing the Spectrum: From Beauty to Grotesque
The development of Annatar was an engaging process for Gower. While Sauron’s essence remains central, they aimed to create a visage that was both perfect and alluring. Gower contrasts this with Hazeldine’s Adar, a character with Orc and Elven traits. Despite Adar’s continuity from season 1, they needed to redefine him while maintaining his unique characteristics. This juxtaposition between the beautiful and grotesque is crucial in depicting the diverse spectrum of characters in Middle-earth.
Sauron’s New Form and Its Implications for the Story
Aligning with Tolkien’s Lore
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Throughout the first season of The Rings of Power, showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay deliberately obscured Sauron’s identity, introducing red herrings that misled audiences into suspecting characters like Daniel Weyman’s Stranger and the corrupted Elf Adar. The revelation in the season finale that Halbrand was Sauron all along was both shocking and pivotal.
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This deception was made possible by introducing a new identity for Sauron that diverged from Tolkien’s original lore. While the tale of Sauron as Annatar is familiar to Tolkien enthusiasts, the character of Halbrand was an original creation whose purpose was fulfilled upon the revelation of his true identity.
Our Interpretation of Sauron’s New Disguise
Embracing Sauron’s True Nature
With audiences now aware of Sauron’s identity, The Lord of The Rings: The Rings of Power can more closely adhere to the original narrative of Annatar, the Deceiver. Gower’s portrayal of Annatar as “wise and fair” not only aligns with Tolkien’s description but also serves to remind viewers of Sauron’s dark origins and intentions. As Samwise Gamgee insightfully noted in the Third Age, Sauron’s guise as Lord Annatar should indeed “seem fairer and feel fouler.”
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