'Lord of the Rings' exclusive: See how Ents, creatures come alive in 'Rings of Power'
Ents and Orcs and Shelob, oh my!
Rings play an important role in the upcoming second season of Amazon Prime's "The Lord of the Rings: Rings of Power" (premiering Aug. 29) ― they're right in the title, twice. But don't sleep on the various creatures who bring excitement and often danger to Middle-Earth: USA TODAY has an exclusive new behind-the-scenes video, which first wowed the crowd and stars alike at San Diego's Comic-Con, that shows how the fan-favorite Ents ― giant humanoid trees who also appeared in the "Lord of the Rings" movies ― and others are brought to life onscreen.
The Ents in the fantasy adventure series, based on the works and mythology of J.R.R. Tolkien, also have some famous names attached: Jim Broadbent plays Snaggleroot, while Olivia Williams is Winterblossom.
When Cynthia Addai-Robinson was filming a scene that pits her character, Númenor's queen-regent Míriel, against a huge sea worm, "you’re watching a piece of tape," she said. Seeing the beast come alive onscreen, though, "we are looking at it aghast, and I'm getting emotional about it."
Ismael Cruz Córdova, who plays elf warrior Arondir, is "super excited" about getting to share the screen with Ents, he said. "I'm not alone when I say these magical creatures shaped my childhood and early teenage years."
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The Ents "encompass a lot of the spirit of the elves," he added. "They're the shepherds of the forest."
Tyroe Muhafidin, who plays young human Theo, is also an Ent fan: "If you don’t love the Ents, you’re just weird."