Warning, there are spoilers for the series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power, including the series finale of season 2.
After initially casting uncertainty on Amazon’s fantasy series The Rings of Power as a mysterious human named Halbrand, Charlie revealed Vickers’ character himself as Sauron at the end of season 1. In season 2 he appears transformed again: as a blonde, pointy-eared Annatar, who persuades the Elven blacksmith Celebrimbor to make more rings. After the season finale of episode 8, the Sauron actor is far from finished. In an interview with Moviepilot, the eponymous Lord of the Rings answered questions about his blacksmithing skills, highly anticipated Sauron moments of the future and Ringwraith prospects for Season 3.
Sauron in an interview: Charlie Vickers about his favorite ring, orc manipulation and season 3 of The Rings of Power
The scenes with you and Charles Edwards as Sauron and Celebrimbor were a highlight of Season 2. Did you have any gaslighting inspiration for this deception?
Charlie Vickers: Yes, we have the movie Gaslight [im Deutschen: Das Haus der Lady Alquist] seen as a reference for preparation. It may sound sadistic, but we had a lot of fun playing this relationship despite the heavy material. There were so many twists and turns that it was a joy.
Many queer fans wonder whether there might be feelings at play between Celebrimbor and Annatar. Were these romantic speculations intentional on Sauron’s part?
[lacht] I never approached the relationship that way. Of course everyone can interpret it however they want. But that was never our intention when we created the dynamic between the two characters. But manipulation is definitely Sauron’s thing and he manipulates Celebrimbor.
Did you learn anything about real ring forging while filming The Rings of Power, or did you just act like you knew what you were doing as an actor?
[Mit gespielter Empörung] To be honest, I wasn’t invited to all the ringsmithing classes! Charlie got lessons because he impersonated a blacksmith. I, on the other hand, got bow and arrow lessons and stuff like that. Unfortunately, I learned very little about blacksmithing.
Do you still have a favorite ring? In the Amazon series we have already seen 19 of the 20 rings of power.
I like King Durin’s dwarven ring that Peter Mullan wears. He’s cool. I like how chunky it is.
A specific question about Sauron’s methods: How exactly does he manage in episode 8 to get the orcs to turn against their “father” Adar and follow Sauron instead?
I think this process happens over a long period of time. Sauron feels a certain amount of unrest when Adar captures him at the beginning. When he lures Adar to Eregion, he knows that many orcs will die. He can use that to twist everything. So when he ended up [Ober-Ork] Glûg, having just killed Celebrimbor, senses a divide and an opportunity to offer something to the orcs. – Also, practically speaking: I am Sauron, he is just Adar. You want to stand by me. Otherwise you will probably all die. [lacht]
Do you think Sauron ever doubts himself as he moves forward with his plans?
I think he has very precise plans and is always one step ahead. But it would be boring if everything always fell into place for him as intended. As seen with Celebrimbor, things go wrong and he struggles against obstacles. So he doesn’t always know what will happen. And it will certainly stay that way for the rest of the series, I hope.
Sauron’s next task will be to find nine people for the human rings. You probably don’t know anything about Season 3 yet, but if you had to guess: Who do you think has a good chance of becoming a Nazgûl, or Ringwraith, in the future?
I have no idea what the showrunners intend to do. Anything I say would just be speculation, but I would hope for characters we already know. That would be exciting. There are definitely characters with potential for evil. I’d say Kemen is a slimy little… [unterbricht sich] Leon [Wadham] is so good! With a little advice from Sauron, he could take his evil to the next level.
As we look to the future of the planned 5 seasons of Amazon’s Lord of the Rings series, what are you most excited about? What else do you really want to play as Sauron?
I’ve definitely thought about that. I would love to be a part of all those moments from Tolkien’s legendarium, like the creation of the One Ring. But what I’m really looking forward to is the fall of Númenor. When I read this, I had such a strong image in my mind: Sauron sacrificing bodies in the temples. Or how he stands on the summit of the inselberg Meneltarma. The way he leans back in his chair and laughs. And then the throne disappears beneath him and the entire island sinks. These are really powerful, impactful images. I’m so curious how they would implement this in the series.
Unfortunately, Sauron also loses his body after the fall of Númenor – so maybe that wouldn’t be ideal for you as an actor?
[lacht] I know! But then maybe it’s time for the massive armor. But would I still be stuck in it? But I would definitely like to be part of it.
Speaking of armor: There has recently been speculation because Sauron can be seen in full armor in a short scene in season 1. Is this a vision of the future?
I don’t know it. That wasn’t me! [lacht] I don’t know who it was or if it was CGI.
If you could express personal wishes: Would you prefer Sauron with a half-rim or anntar look in the future?
Hmm, I don’t know at all. I think half-rim is half-rim and Annatar is Annatar. I think you could combine elements of both to find Sauron. But not a completely new look: a combination to find your essence. It would have to come from an intention. It can’t just be, ‘I have black hair now because it’s cool.’ It would have to be an external change with the aim of manipulating someone he wants to infiltrate.