Annatar's latest trick in The Rings of Power season 2 was brought to life by the most incredible practical effect we've seen in some time

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The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2

Annatar loves a good trick and so, too, do the creative team and crew behindThe Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season 2.

InThe Rings of Power season 2, episode 6, Sauron’s ‘fair form’ tricks Celebrimbor into believing that all is well in the Elven realm of Eregion, even going as far as obscuring the fact that its walls are crumbling all around the craftsman.

But, once the facade slips and Annatar steps into the chaos surrounding the orc attack on the stronghold, the idyllic light from Celebrimbor’s scene soon turns pitch black.

To achieve that effect, the team fused together light, extras, and camera movement around Annatar actor Charlie Vickers to capture the moment in real time, which you can see for yourself below.

pic.twitter.com/a8AXN5Dbo8September 19, 2024

pic.twitter.com/a8AXN5Dbo8September 19, 2024

“When I read the scene, I could see this move around Annatar as it turned from day to night,” episode director Sanaa Hamri said on Amazon’s Inside the Episode Rings of Power after-show. “And then it followed him and went into slow motion and I was like, ‘Oh, this is going to be one of those epic moments for Sauron.'”

According toThe Hollywood Reporter, costs for the first season of The Rings of Power may have ran north of $400 million, with other reports suggesting that the show’s total spending could reach a billion dollars when all is said and done.

The Rings of Power, meanwhile, is hurtling towards its second season finale. With a five-season plan still on the table, it remains to be seen how the rest of the story shakes out.

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For more, check out our guides toAnnatar,Adar, andThe Stranger– plus a look towards the show’s streaming plans withThe Rings of Power season 2 release schedule.

More about lord of the rings tv showsThe Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 is the show’s version of The Two Towers – and it’s the best episode of TV released all yearThe Rings of Power season 3 has a “strong” story as showrunners give an update on writing: “We’re hoping to turn it around as fast as possible”

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The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 is the show’s version of The Two Towers – and it’s the best episode of TV released all yearThe Rings of Power season 3 has a “strong” story as showrunners give an update on writing: “We’re hoping to turn it around as fast as possible”

The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 is the show’s version of The Two Towers – and it’s the best episode of TV released all year

The Rings of Power season 2, episode 7 is the show’s version of The Two Towers – and it’s the best episode of TV released all year

The Rings of Power season 3 has a “strong” story as showrunners give an update on writing: “We’re hoping to turn it around as fast as possible”

The Rings of Power season 3 has a “strong” story as showrunners give an update on writing: “We’re hoping to turn it around as fast as possible”

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1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

Nemesis board game models and tokens laid out on a board

1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

1

Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

2

Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

3

Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

4

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

5

Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths”

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

Shadow brandishes a gun in Sonic The Hedgehog 3

1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

1

Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie”

2

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3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action”

3

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4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

4

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

5

Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite”

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Ncuti Gatwa as the Doctor and Nicola Coughlan as Joy in Doctor Who Christmas special Joy to the World

1Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

1

Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

2

Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses”

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3Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

3

Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

4

Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

5

Cobra Kai season 6, part 2 review: “Returns to the sort of hard-hitting form that made it such a fan favorite in the first place”

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