Amazon’s new series, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power made a big entrance in Dragon Con 2022. In a last-minute twist of timing, Amazon announced that the series two-episode premiere would be available worldwide on Thursday, September 1, instead of the previously announced date of September 2, with the streaming debut following a number of premiere events and cinema screenings. The timing of the earlier-than-planned availability of the show meant that Tolkien fans would be able to see the show right as the con began.
Rebecca Perry (Deej), Kirsten Cairns (Greendragon), and Jim
Wert (Madeye Gamgee). Photo credit: Valdis Longbeard.
Even before the early streaming availability was announced, Dragon Con Tolkien fans were planning for the long-expected arrival of the series. Staff members of TheOneRIng.net and regulars at Dragon Con Kirsten Cairns (Greendragon), Rebecca Perry (Deej), and Jim Wert (Madeye Gamngee) conducted two panels about Rings of Power. The “no spoilers” speculation panel was held on Thursday evening just in time for the show to become available. The second panel by TORn was on Monday morning, and was definitely spoiler-y, with discussion that centered on the mysteries set up by the first two episodes.
The highlight of the Rings of Power content this year was easily the last-minute addition of a Friday behind the scenes panel with two very special guests to the Dragon Con Tolkien lineup, with moderator Kirsten Cairns. We were thrilled to welcome concept designer John Howe and vocal and dialect expert Leith McPherson. John Howe is well known to the Tolkien fandom for his Tolkien-inspired art and for his work on all the Peter Jackson Middle-earth films and is now a concept designer for Rings of Power. Leith McPherson contributed her talents and expertise to The Hobbit films as a voice and dialect coach and is working in a similar role in Rings of Power. Mr. Howe and Ms. McPherson shared their enthusiasm for Tolkien and the Rings of Power series with the jam-packed room and related some (spoiler-free) anecdotes about their work on the show. They also answered a number of questions from the floor and were thoughtful and gracious at every turn. Special thanks go out to Kirsten Cairns for her persistence and to Amazon for arranging for these awesome guests.
As another special treat, Ms. McPherson and Mr. Howe stayed long enough to join in An Evening in Bree as celebrity judges for the costume contest. This year’s contest featured many very impressive cosplays, including several Rings of Power costumes, with their designs drawn from the few images we had seen in previous months.
With The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power just getting started, we can anticipate a continued presence of series-related content at Dragon Con. There will be plenty to talk about as the series unfolds, not to mention lots of cosplay inspiration!
