Nearly 20 years after the Lord of the Rings trilogy debuted in theaters, the franchise is back with the Prime Video prequel The Rings of Power. During the second day of the San Diego Comic-Con 2022, the creative team and massive ensemble cast took the stage in front of nearly 7,000 fans in Hall H for their panel — hosted by superfan Stephen Colbert — to tease what’s to come from the newest installment in J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic saga.
Additionally, fans were treated to an epic, new extended trailer for season 1, which was led by showrunners J.D. Payne and Patrick McKay, and stars Morfydd Clark, Charles Edwards, Rob Aramayo, Ben Walker, Ismael Cruz Córdova, Charlie Vickers, Nazanin Boniadi, Tyroe Muhafindin, Daniel Weyman, Cynthia Addai-Robinson, Trystan Gravelle, Maxin Baldry, Ema Horvath, Lloyd Owen, Leon Wadham, Markella Kavenagh, Megan Richards, Dylan Smith, Sara Zwangobani, Sophia Nomvete and Owain Arthur.
McKay shared that it’s been a four-and-a-half-year process to bring this show to fans’ screens, which included working with Tolkien scholars to create the series’ original characters. This new installment — which the EPs teased as a “50-hour story,” which could mean five potential seasons — is about “reintroducing this world, and the return of evil… We wanted to find a huge Tolkien-ien mega epic.”
During the panel, the cast members and creative team talked about joining the franchise and expanding the on-screen world of Lord of the Rings with the new series adapted from the appendices of the original books.
“It’s a human story,” Payne shared of the new saga. “How far in the darkness would you go to protect the ones you love?”
Arthur, who plays Prince Durin IV, in the series, noted that his character has an “unlikely friendship” with Elrond (played by Robert Aramayo in the upcoming series, and Hugo Weaving in the earlier films), as a dwarf and an elf, respectively. He also shared that his personal journey during filming included three hours in the makeup chair each day to complete his transformation, and “45 minutes to take it all off.”
And there’s more than friendship between Bronwyn (Boniadi), a human healer, and Arondir (Cruz Córdova), a Silvan Elf, who have a “forbidden love,” the actors shared.
Meanwhile, Nomvete will play Princess Disa, the first female dwarf to be depicted onscreen in a Tolkien adaptation. The English actress told the Comic-Con crowd that she auditioned for Rings of Power two days before giving birth to her daughter, landed the role when she was five days old, and was on set by the time she was eight weeks. The costuming team adjusted her wardrobe so she could nurse in between scenes: “That is the power of a female dwarf.”
There’s power in moderating too, as Colbert closed out the panel by securing a promise from the EPs that he would have a role in Rings of Power in the future!
The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power premieres Sept. 2 on Prime Video.
See below for more of Entertainment Tonight’s ongoing coverage of Comic-Con 2022, including the daily schedule and biggest highlights of the weekend:
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Popular game show format “Deal or No Deal” is making a comeback on U.K. broadcaster ITV and streamer ITVX.
In the show, a contestant is confronted with 22 sealed boxes, each one hiding a different amount of money. Without knowing what each one contains, the contestant must eliminate the boxes, which are opened one at a time, and the amount of money inside is revealed. Pressure mounts as the player is tempted by the Banker to accept an offer of cash in exchange for what might be inside their box. As long as the larger cash prizes remain unchosen, the Banker’s offers will get higher. But that can all change in an instant if a big cash prize is unveiled.
The show will be hosted by Stephen Mulhern (“In for a Penny”) and produced by Banijay U.K.’s Remarkable Entertainment.
Channel 4 was home to the show from 2005-2016 with Noel Edmonds as host. It is based on a 2002 Netherlands format that has been commissioned in over 80 territories worldwide with more than 350 productions.
Mulhern said: “Wow what an opportunity, I’m beyond excited to be hosting the brand-new series. I’ve always been such a huge fan of the show, so much so, I’ve been practising at home with small cereal boxes. It looks so simple but it’s an incredibly compelling game for both those playing and the viewers watching at home. It’s one of the greatest shows of all time and to be the new host is an honor. I can’t wait to get started.”
Tamara Gilder, joint managing director at Remarkable Entertainment, added: “We are thrilled to be bringing ‘Deal or No Deal’ back. It’s an iconic format – but now on a new channel with a new, fantastic host. We also have a new Banker, but I’m afraid they’re even more awful than the last one.”
“Deal or No Deal” is commissioned by Katie Rawcliffe, head of entertainment commissioning and Joe Mace, commissioning editor, entertainment, ITV. Executive producers are Tamara Gilder and Cat Lawson, joint MDs of Remarkable Entertainment.
Rawcliffe said: “’Deal or No Deal’ is such an iconic format and we are delighted that it will be joining the ITV family. Stephen’s infectious warmth and wit mixed with his natural rapport with members of the public is the perfect combination for this much-loved TV series.”
Kim Raver describes what filming Grey’s Anatomy has been like without Ellen Pompeo. After the star’s exit in season 19, other characters have taken on larger roles, including Raver’s Teddy Altman. First appearing on the show in 2009, Teddy has dealt with personal and professional hurdles, and her relationship with Owen Hunt (Kevin McKidd) remains an important storyline. By focusing on Teddy, the new surgical interns, and others, Grey’s Anatomy has a future beyond Meredith, though Pompeo’s absence will likely still be felt.
In a recent interview with Extra, Raver discusses filming the medical drama since Pompeo’s departure. She shares that Pompeo is still very much a part of Grey’s Anatomy on set. Read Raver’s comments about her former co-star below:
“I really still feel her presence there, especially when I was directing, when I was editing. You know, her voice over is there. Just the other day, I saw her, she was biking from her trailer — I guess to go do ADR — so she is very much there, and I think she really paved the way for me, for example, having the opportunity to direct and this wonderful… We are such an ensemble show.”
How Grey’s Anatomy Can Continue Without Meredith
Now that Grey’s Anatomy has been renewed, questions surrounding Pompeo’s future have been brought up. Meredith is still mentioned by other characters, and is expected to make an appearance during the season 19 finale. Beyond that, it remains to be seen how much of her story will be featured. Grey’s Anatomy has introduced a number of new faces though, including Simone (Alexis Floyd), Lucas (Niko Terho), Mika (Midori Francis), and Benson (Harry Shum Jr.), and is already tracking their journeys through Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Teddy, who has taken over as chief of surgery, is still adjusting to her new position, and the most recent Grey’s Anatomy episode, titled “Training Day,” brought several challenges for her to work through. Seeing her and others carry out different roles suggests there is a plan moving forward. Meredith’s absence could provide more room for characters to develop, and by exploring their stories, Grey’s Anatomy might be able to continue past season 20.
Despite the additional exit of Maggie Pierce (Kelly McCreary), other longtime cast members, including Raver, help balance out the newcomers. Since Pompeo remains the series’ narrator, there is also the possibility that she could return after season 19. Grey’s Anatomy largely revolved around Pompeo’s character and while many miss her, they will enjoy knowing that she is still involved in some way.
The U.S. Army has paused its advertising campaign featuring Jonathan Majors in response to the actor’s arrest Saturday for an alleged assault.
The two “Be All You Can Be” commercials featuring Majors as an on-screen narrator were pulled Sunday. The U.S. Army plans to continue running other ads in the campaign, maintaining a digital presence as well as a prominent position in broadcasts of the NCAA March Madness tournament. Advertisements featuring Majors were still running during the NCAA broadcasts on Saturday evening.
“The U.S. Army is aware of the arrest of Jonathan Majors and we are deeply concerned by the allegations surrounding his arrest,” Army Enterprise Marketing Office public affairs chief Laura DeFrancisco confirmed in a statement. “We recently released two ads in which Mr. Majors appears. While Mr. Majors is innocent until proven guilty, prudence dictates that we pull our ads until the investigation into these allegations is complete.”
The multi-million dollar “Be All You Can Be” campaign was widely seen as a renewed effort for the U.S. Army to rebound after its worst recruiting year in recent history. In 2022, the organization enlisted roughly 45,000 individuals, falling 25% short of its goals.
Centering the ad campaign on a celebrity like Majors reflected an effort to renew enthusiasm for the military among young Americans. Majors, who has enjoyed the reputation of a rising star in Hollywood, is the star of recent blockbuster releases “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” and “Creed III” and the buzzy Sundance drama “Magazine Dreams.”
Majors was arrested on Saturday in New York on domestic violence allegations after a dispute with a 30-year old woman, who was taken to the hospital with “minor injuries to her head and neck,” according to authorities.
Majors’ legal representation has argued that the actor is “completely innocent.”
“We are quickly gathering and presenting evidence to the District Attorney with the expectation that all charges will be dropped imminently,” criminal defense lawyer Priya Chaudhry said Sunday morning.