The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Designer Barrie Gower explained how Sauron’s elven form differs from the other elves of the show. Abandoning his disguise as the mortal halfling, Season 2 sees the future second Dark Lord of Middle-earth transform into AnnatarThe lord of gifts and self-proclaimed messenger of the god-like Valar. Under the guise of tricking the elven smith Celebrimbor into crafting the remaining Rings of Power, Sauron even manages to position himself as the de-facto Lord of Eregion.
Talk to Screen Rant like The rings of power Season 2 is nearing its penultimate episode, Gower explains It was necessary to differentiate Charlie Vickers’ avatar from the other elves who inhabit Middle-earth. Suggesting that Annatar and Sam Hazeldine’s Adar are at two opposite ends of the spectrum, it was necessary to provide Vickers with a flawless, otherworldly presence. In doing so, it was necessary to have the various components of Vickers’ make work together, right down to the fragile shell provided by its foundation. Check out his comments below:
So, we are dictated, primarily, to give someone elf ears that would suit them, but we cover their own ears basically, or extend. Luckily, Charlie has very nice ears, so we were able to give them these beautiful, slightly upturned angular ears. We searched for the entire anatomy of the elven ears that were created in the past. But it’s creating something that would work well with his facial makeup, and complement the hairstyle, as well. He has that little widow’s peak, and the costume piece he has in his hair, too.
It has a lot of elements that need to work together, and one of those things can throw everything else off. Even down to Charlie’s complexion, as well, the foundation that is used on his face that has a slight sheen to it. It is creating this kind of otherworldly, pious presence that, in a way, he is quite separate to the other elves that we have created.
We know it’s Sauron at heart, but we need to make something that almost looks perfect and beautiful. So, I wouldn’t necessarily say that he was a challenge. He was a really interesting character to develop because we had someone like Annatar, and then we had someone like Sam Hazeldine’s character, Adar, who, even though Sam was inheriting the role of Joseph Mawle from season 1, we had To create Sam’s Adar. To, again, have enough continuity from season 1. But he is, in theory, sort of a part-orc, part-elven character.
So you have the two ends of the spectrum, really. It creates shapes for Sam that aren’t necessarily grotesque, but they are. They are different in design to what we put on Charlie. So, it’s trying to tick all the boxes, from beauty to grotesque, somewhere in between.
What Sauron’s new elven form means for the Rings of Power
Sauron’s transformation brings the show closer to Tolkien lore.
throughout The rings of power Season 1, showrunners JD Payne and Patrick McKay deliberately tried to obscure Sauron’s true identity, Even going so far as to plant red herrings that pointed to both Daniel Wyman’s alien and the corrupt Elf Adar. However, the shocking season 1 finale would later reveal that Sauron was Vickers’ half-brother all along.
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However, the deception of The rings of power character was only possible due to the show’s creative team crafting a whole new identity for Sauron that wasn’t part of Tolkien’s original story. While The story of Sauron disguising himself as Annatar is well known For many familiar with Tolkien’s writings, Halbrand was an original creation whose only narrative purpose was fulfilled once his true identity was finally revealed.
Our take on Sauron’s New Disguise
There is no need to hide Sauron from viewers anymore
Now, with audiences fully aware of who the show’s primary antagonist is, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power can begin to return more closely to the source material and the tale of Lord Annathar, the Deceiver at his heart. By adopting a physical form that is not only “wise and fair” As Tolkien once described, Gowers’ attempts to make Vickers’ Annatar stand apart from the show’s other elves also help remind audiences of his true origins and dark intentions. As Samwise Gamgee would astutely observe much later in the Third Age, Sauron’s disguise as Lord Annatar should indeed “Seem beautiful and feel fouler.“