Prime Video has released the official teaser trailer for the third season of the series The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power. Its premiere is expected on November 11.
The clip throws spectacle at you: grand set pieces, scowls galore, and a clearer glimpse of Celebrimbor — Galadriel’s husband — played by Jamie Campbell Bower (Vecna in Stranger Things). In a twist, the cast of The Rings of Power has been joined by Simon Pegg (Shaun of the Dead), who lends his voice to the fiery Balrog.
Fan reaction? Mixed, to put it mildly. The teaser’s like/dislike ratio on YouTube is about even; online you’ll see everything from Tolkien quotes ("Evil cannot create anything new…") used to scold the show for accumulated “lore liberties,” to people simply excited to return to Middle-earth (many admit, esp., they never read The Silmarillion). Not all fans, as discussed here, can picture a speaking Balrog — Tolkien’s texts don’t record them speaking, though there are scattered hints that suggest some linguistic ability.
Amazon has described the Balrog as a "sentient and dangerous adversary" and added, "We want to show another side of him." Whether that side will satisfy purists, intrigue newcomers, or inflame both camps remains to be seen.