The second season of The Rings of Power features the cool creatures of Tolkien’s universe
An ancient mystery is blowing in the icy winds towards the second Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power episode on Prime Video. As fans eagerly await, the veil of darkness surrounding the new episode has been lifted, revealing that not only heroes but horrors live in our dreams.
Imagine a thick, shimmering mist rolling over the Barrow Hills, the eternal resting place of fallen heroes. There, the Barrow-Wights, those resurrected beings, shop their evil in the shadows, alien and prisoners of evil will. The series’ VFX supervisor, Jason Smith, shared his excitement with Empire at bringing a never-before-seen immortal to life on screen. “We’re making a little horror movie in Middle-earth,” he enthused, promising a special experience for fans of the saga.
Galadriel and Sharon, the most anticipated clash
As Galadriel, played by Morfid Clarke, enters the mists, which promises to reveal many dark secrets, Sauron, in his new form as Anathar, seeks to rebuild his powers. Banished and without his allies, the Dark Lord plots in the shadows, creating a ring of power that he intends to use to bring all the peoples of Middle-earth to their knees.
The series not only brings back favorites like Ismael Cruz Cordova and Nazanin Boniadi, but also introduces new faces like Ciarán Hinds and Tanya Moodie, promising performances that enhance the richness of the world created by Tolkien. With the addition of Sam Hazeldine in a key role, the series ensures that it retains its strength and impressive scale.
Tolkien’s monsters inspired art
Empire’s cover for the new season includes an illustration of the icy, terrifying essence of Barrow-Whites, by conceptual artist @einar_art. This graphic novel not only honors Tolkien’s vision, but promises to take horror to a new level by combining the classic with a new visual interpretation.
Next August 29, the doors to this dark chapter full of secrets will open. Fans must prepare to face not only familiar enemies, but those who until now reside in the pages of books and in the dark corners of thought. The question remains: Can our heroes survive a new threat rising from the shadows of the past?
The most terrifying creatures in Tolkien’s universe
In Tolkien’s vast and rich universe, the Barrow-Wights represent only one aspect of the terror lurking in the shadows of Middle-earth. These creatures, the evil spirits of ancient warriors, are just one example of the dark entities Tolkien created to oppose his heroes.
Beyond the Barrow, the Nazgul, also known as the Ringwrights. These nine servants of evil were once mortal kings, but were corrupted by the power of the Rings of Power, turning them into lifeless creatures, forever bound to Sauron’s will. His presence is so terrifying that his approach can paralyze even the bravest warriors with fear.
Trolls, beasts of great size and ferocious strength that serve the Dark Army, are no less formidable. While they lack the cunning cunning of the Ringwrights, their ferocity and tenacity make them a formidable opponent on the battlefield.
These creatures, along with other monsters such as orcs and dragons, form a set of menaces rooted in a sense of danger and wonder in Tolkien’s work where the fight between good and evil is not only spectacular.