There’s “No Rivalry” Between ‘The Rings of Energy’ and ‘Home of the Dragon’

Twenty years after the Lord of the Rings swept theaters, Prime Video is spending $1 billion over 5 seasons in hopes of recapturing the magic of Peter Jackson’s epic work—and introducing the world of J.R.R. Tolkien to a brand new era—with The Rings of Energy.

In accordance with actor Charles Edwards, who performs the pivotal elf Celebrimbor, no different tv sequence compares to this present’s sprawling on-location units, sweeping cinematography, costumes, and particular results.

“It is going to be probably the most extraordinary deal with for the senses and for the creativeness,” stated Edwards on the present’s lavish world premiere in Los Angeles on Monday. “This present will immerse you with excessive spectacle, stunning New Zealand surroundings and probably the most staggering units. However there are additionally quiet moments, even home moments, which can contact us all very deeply.”

Edwards, who beforehand appeared in Netflix’s The Crown as Queen Elizabeth II’s Non-public Secretary Martin Charteris and likewise in Downton Abbey as Michael Gregson, the late father of Girl Edith’s daughter, defined that sequence is ready in the course of the Second Age, a interval of Center-earth historical past chronicled in Tolkien’s Lord of the Rings appendices. The present takes place 1000’s of years earlier than hobbits Frodo and Sam have been born, and the sequence will inform Sauron’s rise to energy and the creation of the titular rings.

“The sequence is a totally new story primarily based on the in depth appendices,” stated Edwards. “It is about love; it is loyalty; it is combating for what you imagine is true; it is about being conscious of approaching darkness, and the way far you’ll go to avoid wasting the factor or being you’re keen on.”

Extra acquainted Lord of the Rings characters are central figures within the Second Age as nicely. Welsh actress Morfydd Clark stars because the fearless immortal elf Galadriel, performed by Cate Blanchett within the Jackson movies, and English actor Robert Aramayo has been solid because the formidable half-Elven loremaster named Elrond, performed by Hugo Weaving within the motion pictures. Aramayo isn’t any stranger to the fantasy style; he additionally performed a younger Ned Stark on Sport of Thrones.

The Rings of Energy faces stiff competitors from Thrones spinoff Home of the Dragon, which premieres 12 days earlier than The Rings of Energy‘s September 2 debut. Home of the Dragon even scheduled its London purple carpet premiere on Monday, the identical day that Rings had its world premiere in LA.

Nonetheless, says Aramayo, “there isn’t a rivalry. The 2 exhibits are very totally different and the supplies are so totally different. Tolkien’s materials focuses much less on sexual parts and bloody violence, and the wonderful thing about Tolkien is should you suppose one factor, anyone would possibly interpret it as one thing else. There are such a lot of totally different opinions you may take from his work. I am very excited that there is a lot fantasy on the market with the 2 exhibits. We get to get pleasure from all of it. I am excited to see Home of Dragons. I am unable to wait.”

Benjamin Walker, who performs the Excessive King Gil-galad, understands that viewers will probably be naturally inclined to match the 2 fantasy sequence. However he additionally factors out that The Rings of Energy communicates hope, reasonably than utilizing sexual violence to attract them in.

“Oftentimes in Thrones, hope doesn’t prevail, but it surely’s alive and nicely in our present,” stated Walker. “It is the place the quintessential battle between good and evil exists. Everyone wants a bit of little bit of catharsis seeing hope prevail. Tolkien understood that, and that is the naked minimal you are going to get from our present.”

Clark is happy that the sequence, created by J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, avoids portraying feminine characters as solely “damsels in misery” or pitting ladies towards different ladies.