Inspiration from Sam and Eowyn in New Characters of Lord Of The Rings: The War Of Rohirrim

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim Delves into New Inspirations

In an exclusive discussion, writers Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou shed light on the development of original characters for the highly anticipated film, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. Set against the backdrop of Rohan’s tumultuous history, this movie chronicles the legendary Helm Hammerhand, voiced by Brian Cox, as he valiantly defends his kingdom from the Dunlendings. Alongside him, new characters like Héra, portrayed by Gaia Wise, as well as Olwyn (Lorraine Ashbourne) and Lief (Bilal Hasna), step into the spotlight, bringing fresh narratives to J.R.R. Tolkien’s esteemed universe.

Drawing from Established Characters

In their conversation with Screen Rant, Gittins and Papageorgiou revealed how they infused their original characters with elements from beloved figures in Tolkien’s lore. For instance, Héra draws significant inspiration from Éowyn, while Lief embodies qualities reminiscent of the ever-resilient Samwise Gamgee. The writers also discussed Olwyn and Old Pennicruik, who serve to enrich the narrative with ties to existing lore.

Screen Rant:
Incredible. Now, can you talk about creating new characters and expanding on existing ones to serve as relatable guides for new audiences and loyal fans of Middle Earth?

Phoebe Gittins:
Our central character is unnamed but is in the text. It was very exciting for us coming to the project, and to bring that character to life, especially given that it would be a young woman. I was super excited about that. So there is Héra…

Arty Papageorgiou:
So you start looking at other characters in the world, and so for her, you could lean into Éowyn?

Phoebe Gittins:
Oh yeah, absolutely. Drawing inspiration from Éowyn, we knew that straight off the bat, we would be looking at who paved the way for Éowyn to exist. That was a brilliant roadmap to follow. And then there was the question of Héra’s Mother, so we decided amongst all the collaborators that she would’ve passed on, and then we wanted to bring in Olwyn. That was a character we created to strengthen this shield maiden storyline that we had going on. So that was the reasoning behind Olwyn’s decision. There are a few others that are new. There’s Old Pennicruik. She was sort of a fun one to blend anime and talking together. We thought we loved the design that Kamiyama did for her. She was really fun to write dialogue for this old gossip rattling around the Hornberg.

Arty Papageorgiou:
And for me, in Lief, there’s a lot of Sam, if you’re looking at making characters or extending characters, you look around at what other characters are in Tolkien’s work and using them as blueprints, I think.

Phoebe Gittins:
Yeah, leaning on the history.

Screen Rant:
Now, Gaia, when you first read the script for this film, what elements made you feel emotionally connected to the story and your character, Héra?

Gaia Wise:
It’s such a rich story. The script is so beautiful. It was very much that a woman’s voice or a young girl’s voice that is silenced at the beginning of the film is finally heard, and that’s when things start to turn around. It, to me, very much mirrored Éowyn mirrored the I Am No Man Moment in the Return of the King. My favorite moment, my favorite moment. She’s such a three-dimensional character. There’s so much going on there. What I loved most about her was that she was allowed to be vulnerable. Her vulnerability is a source of her strength because it allows her to remain compassionate and true to her morals and values and not be overtaken by anger and fear like Wulf.

Familiarity Meets Innovation

The narrative of The War of the Rohirrim is poised to resonate with fans, as it skillfully blends well-known elements with new interpretations. The film has been lauded for its rich tapestry of characters, drawing from the established lore while introducing compelling newcomers. Gittins and Papageorgiou have crafted characters that not only pay homage to Tolkien’s legacy but also carve out unique identities within the Middle-earth mythos.

The War of the Rohirrim Promotional Image

Our Perspective on The War of the Rohirrim’s Inspirations

A Bridge to the Future with Familiar Archetypes

By drawing upon the legacy of Tolkien’s characters, Gittins and Papageorgiou effectively provide a foundation for introducing their original creations. This approach not only appeals to longtime enthusiasts of Middle-earth but also serves to engage a new generation. Héra, although rooted in earlier lore, ultimately utilizes her distinctive traits to explore new narrative territories.

As audiences eagerly await the film’s release, the connections to iconic characters like Sam and Éowyn promise to enrich the viewing experience, making it a highly anticipated addition to the cinematic landscape of Middle-earth.

The direction of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is helmed by Kenji Kamiyama, notable for his work on Star Wars: Visions and Blade Runner: Black Lotus. This collaboration signals a thrilling continuation of Tolkien’s legacy.

Source & Images