Sauron wearing armor in the Lord of the Rings movies and Charlie Vickers as Sauron/Annatar in The Rings of Power season 2

It sounds like Charlie Vickers could don Sauron’s amor in upcoming seasons of The Rings of Power, and this will retroactively fix one problem with Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings movies. Sauron’s armor is an iconic character staple in The Lord of the Rings movies, and it’s one of the few visuals the films associate with J.R.R. Tolkien’s villain. Sauron doesn’t have much of a physical presence in the films, with Jackson leaning into the Eye of Sauron visual to depict the Dark Lord instead. We do get glimpses of his Necromancer persona, which typically see him wearing dark armor.

This likely has to do with Sauron’s inability to take on his Fair Form in the Third Age, though it’s also a stylistic choice that makes him look more menacing and battle-ready. The image of Sauron in armor has become widely known, and it sounds like The Rings of Power could put Vickers’ version of the character in the same getup. During an interview with the British newspaper I, Vickers admitted he’s excited to don “Sauron’s black armor,” admitting, “It’s a bit of a dream to wear that.” This doesn’t guarantee he will, but it would fix one LOTR problem.

Using Sauron’s Black Armor In The Rings Of Power Fixes A Major Movie Shortcoming

Sauron Doesn’t Get Much Characterization In Peter Jackson’s Adaptations

Sauron in armor and wearing the One Ring in The Fellowship of the Ring

Although Jackson’s decision to focus on the Eye of Sauron works for his adaptations, it does weaken Sauron’s characterization throughout the Lord of the Rings movies. Sauron feels more like an omnipresent force than a fully fleshed out villain. And while this seems to be what Jackson is going for, it removes some of the more interesting aspects of Tolkien’s character. The fact that Sauron is only seen in armor makes him feel even more distant and faceless, as we never see him reacting to things or even get an idea of who he really is.

Putting Vickers’ take on the character in the Lord of the Rings ‘ movie armor would help bridge the gap between the two figures, highlighting that there’s a wholly formed villain underneath it.

This is a huge contrast to The Rings of Power‘s Sauron, who has far more characterization and shows a wide range of emotions — even if he’s callous and cold deep down. Putting Vickers’ take on the character in the Lord of the Rings‘ movie armor would help bridge the gap between the two figures, highlighting that there’s a wholly formed villain underneath it. This would retroactively help the Lord of the Rings movies’ villain feel more developed, even though the series and films aren’t technically connected.

The Rings Of Power’s Sauron Depiction Is Benefiting Peter Jackson’s Movies Years Later

It’s Making The Lord Of The Rings Villain Even More Iconic

Putting Vickers’ Sauron in the Lord of the Rings armor will help connect the two versions of the villain, but this isn’t the only way The Rings of Power is benefiting Jackson’s movies. Years later, the Amazon show makes Tolkien’s main villain even more iconic in hindsight. Vickers’ portrayal of Sauron is one for the history books, and the show’s writing of the character feels nuanced and true to Tolkien’s depiction of him. Rewatching The Lord of the Rings, it’s easy to appreciate Sauron even more thanks to The Rings of Power‘s added context.