More than 20 years after “The Lord Of The Rings: The Fellowship Of The Rings” was released, Amazon introduced “The Lord Of The Rings: Rings Of Power.” This precursor shares a more in-depth look into the second age of J.R.R Tolkien’s Middle Earth. 

Directed by J.A. Bayona, alongside Patrick McKay and J.D. Payne. Season one, debuting September 2nd, 2022, on Prime Video. Season one is predicted to have a $462 million budget. With a projected five seasons to make it will cost over one billion dollars to finish the series–roughly two times the cost of all three Lord of The Rings and The Hobbit films directed by Peter Jackson combined.

Although the series does not directly follow any book by Tolkien, due to lack of rights, the Amazon series is set during the second age follows multiple storylines including The Fall of Numenor and the forging of the 20 rings of power in addition to character storylines. 

“Three Rings for the Elven-kings under the sky, Seven for the Dwarf-lords in their halls of stone, Nine for Mortal Men doomed to die, One for the Dark Lord on his dark throne In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie. One Ring to rule them all, One Ring to find them, One Ring to bring them all and in the darkness bind them In the Land of Mordor where the Shadows lie,” from The Epigraph of The Lord Of The Rings by J.R.R. Tolkien. Nineteen of these Rings Of Power were forged by the King of Eregion. The final ring was forged by Sauron, a necromancer dark lord.

Vanity Fair (Link) was given an exclusive look into the series, watched the first three episodes of the upcoming season, and provided details Tolkien fans will see of a young, fierce Galadriel (Morfydd Clark) along with a young half-elf Elrond (Robert Aramayo). Other characters who have been presented include Durin IV (Owain Arthur), and the introduction of a few new characters, Arondir (Ismael Cruz Córdova) and Halbrand (Charlie Vickers). Rings of Power introduces more female characters to the franchise–including Sophia Nomvete as a dwarven princess named Disa and another character created for the series Bronwyn (Nazanin Boniadi). In addition, Sauron, the primary antagonist in Lord of the Rings, is said to play a bigger role in the Rings of Power continuing his menacing role in middle earth.

Super Bowl Sunday the first teaser trailer premiered (Link), presenting fans a more in-depth look at the upcoming season in middle earth.

 “Before the King, Before the Fellowship, Before the Rings, A new legend begins this fall.”  

The teaser, narrated by Markella Kavenagh who plays Elanor “Nori” Brandyfoot, shows short clips of characters in action. Elves, dwarfs, nomadic hunters, and a cave troll-like being are all shown in the teaser. Although the hobbits from Peter Jackson’s films will not be included in the series, an ancestor to hobbits, played by Markella Kavenagh and Megan Richards will make appearances. More character appearances have been made including Gil-Galad, the last high king of the Noldor, and a man in flames, who fans speculate to be Sauron or even Gandalf in his Maia Form.

The teaser’s opening shot shows Númenor, a large island that J.R.R. Tolkien based on Atlantis. The island was a gift from The Valar, in the shot fans can view the statue of Elros, the first King of Númenor. What seems to be Mount Meneltarma is also present in the backdrop of this clip. 

Fans suspect the fall of Númenor will happen during the run of the show. Although nothing has yet to be confirmed, a boulder that the rock Elrond is seen kneeling by may be the same as the rock Prince Durin IV is seen spitting it in half later in the teaser, according to fan speculation.

A fan-made site for J.R.R. Tolkein’s work called theonering.net, tweeted, “We get to see Moria, Dwarrowdelf, and Khazad-dûm in their full glory.” Already small glimpses of Khazad-dûm have been shown in still images and the teaser trailer. A very big moment in the teaser is Galadriel climbing an unknown ice mountain with a dagger. She is also seen on the same raft as Halbrand fans say. While important jump cuts happen in the blink of an eye, the teaser ends with the joining of two hands.

Eighty-five years since the release of The Hobbit and a year since the last edition was published, fans of all ages get a chance to experience middle earth in the second age on screen. Middle-Earthers will see new characters, locations, and storylines, whilst seeing old favorites. Fans should expect more teasers, and trailers in the upcoming months.