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Tag: Sanaa Hamri

  • The Lord of the Rings forges ahead with season three

    The Lord of the Rings forges ahead with season three

    MUMBAI: Middle-earth is calling once more! Prime Video has confirmed that The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is returning for a third season, with pre-production already underway. Filming is set to begin this spring at Shepperton Studios in the UK, marking a new chapter in Amazon’s most-watched fantasy saga. With over 170 million viewers worldwide, the series remains a powerhouse for Prime Video, driving record-breaking new subscriptions.

    Returning to shape the next season’s visual spectacle is Charlotte Brändström, now stepping in as an executive producer and director, alongside Sanaa Hamri and new addition Stefan Schwartz. Brändström, known for her work on The Witcher and The Man in the High Castle, directed multiple episodes in The Rings of Power’s first two seasons. Hamri, a veteran of The Wheel of Time and Empire, is back after directing several episodes in Season Two. Schwartz, whose credits include The Boys, Luther, and The Walking Dead, joins the directorial lineup for the first time.

    “The Rings of Power continues to captivate audiences worldwide, and we’re thrilled that a third season is underway,” said Amazon MGM Studios head of television Vernon Sanders. “The creative team has an extraordinary vision for what’s to come, and we can’t wait to delve even deeper into the legendary tales that shaped Middle-earth.”

    The Rings of Power has become a defining title for Prime Video, boasting one of the platform’s biggest debuts and consistently drawing massive global engagement. Seasons one and two have been lauded for their epic storytelling and cinematic visuals, with both receiving certified fresh ratings on Rotten Tomatoes.

    The series is helmed by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, with Lindsey Weber, Justin Doble, and Kate Hazell also onboard. Brändström joins the executive producer ranks, ensuring continuity in the series’ grand vision.

  • Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two trailer unveiled

    Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power season two trailer unveiled

    Mumbai: San Diego was transformed into Middle-earth on Friday, as Prime Video showcased the highly anticipated second season of the epic series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay were joined on the iconic Hall H stage by over a dozen cast members for a lively and insightful conversation moderated by Emmy-nominated actress and renowned genre fan Yvette Nicole Brown (Avengers: Endgame, Community).

    The ensemble cast thrilled the 6,500 fans who packed the massive convention center hall by unveiling a brand-new exclusive trailer for the upcoming season. The action-packed trailer focuses on the long-feared reemergence of the legendary villain Sauron, heralding the return of darkness and evil to Middle-earth after many years of hard-fought peace among all of its realms. The trailer also highlighted the creation of more of the titular Rings of Power, forged with the aid of Sauron’s powers of deception and manipulation.

    Fans were also excited to see a glimpse of many of the fantastical, and sometimes frightening, creatures that will appear this season, including a young Shelob, an army of Barrow-wights, Hill-troll Damrod, a Sea Worm, and even Ents!  The riveted crowd also enjoyed teases of several major battle scenes that will be pivotal to Season Two’s storylines.

    The cast members who participated in the show’s Hall H panel were Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Robert Aramayo, Maxim Baldry, Morfydd Clark, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charles Edwards, Trystan Gravelle, Sam Hazeldine, Ema Horvath, Tyroe Muhafidin, Sophia Nomvete, Lloyd Owen, Megan Richards, Charlie Vickers, Benjamin Walker, and Daniel Weyman.

    The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power will premiere exclusively on Prime Video on 29 August 2024.

    In season two of The Rings of Power, Sauron has returned. Cast out by Galadriel, without an army or ally, the rising Dark Lord must now rely on his own cunning to rebuild his strength and oversee the creation of the Rings of Power, which will allow him to bind all the people of middle-earth to his sinister will. Building on season one’s epic scope and ambition, the new season plunges even its most beloved and vulnerable characters into a rising tide of darkness, challenging each to find their place in a world that is increasingly on the brink of calamity. As friendships are strained and kingdoms begin to fracture, the forces of good—Elves and dwarves, orcs and men, wizards and Harfoots—will struggle ever more valiantly to hold on to what matters to them most of all: each other.

    The second season of The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is produced by showrunners and executive producers J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay. They are joined by executive producers Lindsey Weber, Callum Greene, Justin Doble, Jason Cahill, and Gennifer Hutchison, along with co-executive producer and director Charlotte Brändström, producers Kate Hazell and Helen Shang, and co-producers Clare Buxton, Andrew Lee, Glenise Mullins, and Matthew Penry-Davey. Additional season two directors include Sanaa Hamri and Louise Hooper.

  • Unforgettable moments from The Wheel of Time season one

    Unforgettable moments from The Wheel of Time season one

    Mumbai: In its debut season, The Wheel of Time journeyed to a world where magic and destiny come together for an engaging fantasy drama. The Amazon Original series introduced viewers to a group of young villagers whose lives changed changed when a formidable sorceress, Moiraine (played by Rosamund Pike) arrived, bringing along with her chaos as she and the relentlessly hunted for the elusive Dragon Reborn, a figure of immense power and destiny. As we eagerly await the upcoming season, here’s a quick recap of all that went down in season one!

    Introduction to a world of magic and destiny

    The season began with the arrival of Moiraine Sedai (Rosamund Pike) and her Warder (magically linked bodyguard) Lan Mandragoran (Daniel Henney) in the peaceful village of Emond’s Field. They’re on a mission to find the Dragon Reborn, a prophesied individual who could either save the world or bring its destruction.

    Trolloc attack and the flight from Emond’s field

    Chaos erupts as Trollocs, monstrous creatures serving the dark one, attack Emond’s dield. Moiraine identifies Rand al’Thor (Josha Stradowski), Mat Cauthon (Barney Harris), Perrin Aybara (Marcus Rutherford), Egwene al’Vere (Madeleine Madden), and Nynaeve al’Meara (Zoë Robins) as individuals connected to the prophecy. The friends, along with the wisdom Nynaeve, flee as Dark friends pursue them. The thrilling chase is what catapults the story forward, engaging the fans in an exciting journey.

    Journey and self-discovery

    The group embarks on a treacherous journey to the city of Baerlon, facing dangers like Whitecloaks and Shadar Logoth. Along the way, Rand channels the One Power, Nynaeve exhibits strong channeling abilities, Mat becomes affected by a cursed dagger, and Perrin grapples with his connection to wolves. Egwene’s potential as an Aes Sedai is hinted at, and brings forth potential mysteries for the characters.

    The Quest for the Eye of the World

    The group’s journey leads them to the Green Man, guardian of the Eye of the World. He sacrifices himself to protect the Eye from forces of darkness. In a climactic showdown, they confront the Forsaken Aginor and Balthamel. Rand inadvertently channels immense power, and the Forsaken are defeated as the Eye is sealed. Rand’s confession to Egwene about his channeling marks a pivotal moment of vulnerability.

    Embracing destiny and setting the stage

    As the season concludes, the friends find the Dragon Banner in Fal Dara, revealing Rand’s acceptance of his role as the Dragon Reborn. The Horn of Valere is discovered, hinting at greater battles to come. The group’s unity grows stronger as they face their intertwined destinies and prepare to confront the challenges that lie ahead.

    Based on the best-selling Robert Jordan fantasy series, the second season of The Wheel of Time is slated to premiere on 1 September. Building upon the foundation of the first season, the new installment promises even more exciting twists and revelations. With the original cast reprising their roles, including Rosamund Pike, Daniel Henney, Zoë Robins, Madeleine Madden, Josha Stradowski, Marcus Rutherford, Barney Harris, featuring in pivotal roles. Directed by Sanaa Hamri and Thomas Napper, fans can brace themselves for another captivating chapter in this epic saga streaming exclusively on Prime Video.