San Diego Comic-Con (SDCC) just got a whole lot more magical with the unveiling of an exhilarating new trailer for Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2. The star-studded ensemble cast, along with showrunners, were on hand to fuel excitement and offer intriguing glimpses into the upcoming season.

In an interview with Morfydd Clark (Galadriel) and Benjamin Walker (King Gil-galad), they dive deeper into the character arcs and challenges awaiting them in Middle-earth.

Rings of Power’s Morfydd Clark and Benjamin Walker at SDCC

The interview touched on the potential consequences of the rings, drawing parallels to the creation of nuclear weapons in Oppenheimer. Could the rings be used to “fuel our homes or blow up the earth?” Walker pondered this question, emphasizing the show’s exploration of technology’s dual nature and the choice between good and evil.

“How are things evolving and getting grander? And the more you. maybe the idea of when you discover technology, how do you use it? the idea that the rings are kind of like Oppenheimer where we’ve discovered nuclear fusion. Fusion? And what are we going to use it to fuel our homes or blow up the earth? And, what are we going to use it for evil or use it for good or evil?…“I mean, that’s a great question. I think it is a testament to Tolkien’s writing. Writing the, the inevitability of the resurrection of evil. And to underestimate evil, you do at your own peril. Yeah.”So certainly there’s an arrogance that the elves have because of the amount of time they lived, the amount of experience they have. But it is the thing that’s right in front of you that you miss. And also a lot of it has to do with our ability to communicate, our ability to trust one another. And so like I say, what’s great about Tolkien is you take characters that are still in the process of becoming, they’re still learning as a race. And, I find that exciting. And I know they said many times that it would be a very psychological story for everyone.” -Benjamin Walker

Elven Arrogance and the Inevitability of Evil

Walker delved into the psychological struggles of the elves, particularly their arrogance stemming from their long lives and vast experience. He highlighted Tolkien’s brilliance in portraying the “inevitability of the resurrection of evil.” And how even the wisest can miss what’s right in front of them.

“So certainly there’s an arrogance that the elves have because of the amount of time they lived, the amount of experience they have. But it is the thing that’s right in front of you that you miss. And also a lot of it has to do with our ability to communicate, our ability to trust one another. What’s great about Tolkien is you take characters that are still in the process of becoming, they’re still learning as a race. And, I find that exciting. And I know they said many times that it would be a very psychological story for everyone.” -Benjamin Walker

Galadriel: From Political Power to Holding the World Together

Clark shared how Galadriel’s journey will take a dramatic turn. Pointing out the transition from a political figure to a linchpin holding the world against the encroaching darkness. “He’s (Halbrand) humiliated her in front of the whole of Middle Earth,” Clark revealed. “She’s having to deal with personal feelings of betrayal that affect more than just her, and she’s really got to decide who she’s going to be in this new world where evil is rising…and she was part of it.”

“He’s (Halbrand) humiliated her in front of the whole of Middle Earth. and so she is having to deal with kind of having to push down her personal feelings of betrayal because it affects more than her. and she’s really got to decide who she’s going to be now in this new world, where evil is rising. And she was part of it. It’s nice that she was trusting, you know, on being part of it. Like Benjamin, you said something that was really interesting on the panel today. You said that now the elves know that something happened, right? right in front of you guys, like, you got it wrong. And you, you are all, like, bright creatures. sure like to think we’re omniscient in some way.” -Morfydd Clark

When pressed about the mystery surrounding Galadriel’s husband and their relationship. Clark offered a tantalizing tease: “Good things come to those who wait.”

Morfydd Clark and Benjamin Walker talk about how far ahead they get to know about some of these big reveals.

Both Clark and Walker expressed the excitement of working on a project where they don’t always know what’s coming next. They trust the showrunners and the process, finding joy in discovering the story alongside the audience.

“Not as far as I’d like, yes. it is kind of like it’s a really kind of fascinating kind of way of working where you do just have to trust and surrender yourself. we’re both lucky because we have the literature. We, you know, we’re like, yeah, I want to fight for a time. I got a pretty good run, actually. You know, you’ve got to just take what you’re given and run with it. And, there is an excitement to that. Yeah. And it is kind of nice learning stuff with everybody. So every time you get a script it’s kind of a little WhatsApp group in place.” -Morfydd Clark

“You know, luckily we have the showrunners that we have. So it’s not a it’s not torturous to not know because you trust them, you know. So you can, you know, ferret the fan nerd in me. But you trust that there’s a process to it. And they’ll tell you when you need to know.”-Benjamin Walker

Morfydd Clark and Benjamin Walker seem very excited to step back into Middle Earth. As some of the biggest players in this story they seem to be having fun. Their joy for their work certainly shows on screen. 

Don’t Miss the Epic Return

With tantalizing hints and a palpable passion for their roles, Clark and Walker have fans eagerly anticipating the return to Middle-earth. Mark your calendars for August 29th when The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power Season 2 premieres on Prime Video.

For More San Diego Comic-Con Coverage Check Out:

[Interview] Rings of Power’s Cynthia Addai-Robinson and Trystan Gravelle at SDCC

 Rings of Power’s Ismael Cruz Córdova, Tyroe Muhafidin at SDCC