Scene: Wizard Battle in Orthanc

Betrayal. This is the horror of this scene. Disillusionment cuts as sharp as these blackest walls.

Dark as the void. Losing the ground beneath your feet as the traitor stabs you in the back. Even though it's a battle scene in the movie, there is no intense soundtrack, no pathos. This is because Gandalf isn't just fighting a battle, he is fighting a friend, a friend until just recently... The wisest and strongest wizard was believed to be as steady and reliable as Orthank itself. But all hope crumbled. What does Gandalf see when his enemy wears the face of his longtime friend?..

I chose to build this scene since it's so powerful and in a way starts the long and treacherous journey depicted in the Lord of The Rings trilogy. The betrayal of a friend, the loss of a powerful ally, the creation of a new enemy... I always loved the design of Orthanc and used many swords, spikes, claws, and even crowns and eggshells to achieve the most accurate look.

I hope you like it!