Philippa Boyens talks War of the Rohirrim! First chat with writers of new LOTR film!

During my time in Wellington, I caught up with Philippa Boyens (The Lord of the Rings & The Hobbit trilogies)! Here, she discusses her latest adventure in Middle-earth: the anime film The War of the Rohirrim! We are also introduced to screenwriters Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou in their first official interview for the film!
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim releases December 13, 2024. Taking place 260 years before The Lord of the Rings, the story finds Rohan invaded by the Dunlendings. The story eventually finds Rohan's king, Helm Hammerhand, taking refuge in the fortress that will one day bear his name.
CAST:
Brian Cox - Helm Hammerhand
Miranda Otto - Éowyn (narrator)
Gaia Wise - Hera
Luke Pasqualino - Wulf
Laurence Ubong Williams - Fréaláf Hildeson
Shaun Dooley - Freca
#waroftherohirrim #lordoftherings #philippaboyens

[@Pengroves]

I’m imagining how much money Amazon spent on marketing Rings of Power trying to convince people to watch, when this simple interview with a charming and lovingly passionate creator is all I need to see to get me absolutely stoked on War of the Rohirrim.

[@kellypitts8481]

I never saw a single interview before the show that compared to the passion you can hear in this. That show is a complete joke

[@kimonkarapetsis8195]

Absolutely

[@chocolatemonk]

i guess insulting fans preemptively and then doubling down is a bad idea. . . who would have known

[@NZStarWarsNooB]

They're allowed to spend money. This is why you're on here whinging about it 18 months later

[@zenithquasar9623]

Yes! I was kind of worried about this project but Phillipa reminded me who the people behind the project is and this could capture the magic of seeing the LotR the first time!

[@CSC52698]

Miranda Otto reprising Eowyn is one of the things I'm excited about the most. I believe she is narrating.

[@pRODIGAL_sKEPTIC]

No kidding? That's amazing, esp since Boyens specifically mentioned her performance & the Eowyn character.. I need to plug further into this bc now I'm getting psyched 🤓

[@deankittelson2798]

AND BRIAN COX!!

[@jameswoowaa479]

Miranda is the perfect choice. I always image Ian Mckellan or Hugo Weaving narrating a really good Silmarillion movie.

[@CSC52698]

@jameswoowaa479 Yes....

[@eddiOrtiz]

this is show is 100s of years b4 her character was born, what roll she gonna play again?

[@awesomehpt8938]

They better have that Rohan theme music from the original trilogy in this one.

[@silask.1966]

Don’t think that that will be the case….. would be really awesome though

[@SeanCollins-gv1ws]

They better

[@MarkFilipAnthony]

U going to beat them up if they don't?😂

[@TheLu1981]

They will, isn't Howard Shore involved + they have already got a deal in place to use some of the original Rohan themes?🤔

[@i_DONT_get_IT]

Nothing wrong with creating new original music :)😮

[@andrewthehope]

Brian Cox as Helm Hammerhand?? I did not realize how double epic this is!

[@rivers169]

Brian Cox? Logan effin Roy??? F*ck off, that's fire 🔥

[@Vlad65WFPReviews]

Awesome. I have been a massive fan of Brian's work ever since Manhunter!

[@evam4182]

@@Vlad65WFPReviewsBourne 🙌🏽

[@dalelinney8437]

Ah, not the skinny physicist then?

[@purefoldnz3070]

Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh and Jackson are the holy trinity that made the LOTR trilogy what it was.

[@Max1990Power]

Add Lee, Howe and Taylor to that group:)

[@stefanfaina400]

And Shore

[@fullmetalprism5249]

💯 🙌

[@lylejames965]

The people that made the trilogy what it was are too numerous to mention but yeh, every ship needs a captain and that was Jackson

[@evam4182]

FRAN ❤

[@dandelionkingstudios]

This interview is night and day compared to the interviews with the RINGS OF POWER production team. The humility and respect for Tolkien, his world, and his world view is palpable in this interview. This is incredibly encouraging. Thank you so much for this interview!

[@peterpayne2219]

I wish I could up vote this comment twice

[@prodigalfraudaddy-es1gl]

It counteracts tolkien bcz its helms nephew who kills wulf and leads the ressistance and is the ancestor of theoden and second line of kings ..therefore erasing theodens line

[@NicolasPetrali93]

@@prodigalfraudaddy-es1gl it doesn't, Helm kills Wulf's father, not Wulf...

[@newtonthedirector]

Congrats and a huge thank you Mat for getting such an opportunity to make this kind of interview. I imagine I would have been too starstrucked to do this ;)

[@scooterdtx]

Philippa is so engaging and eloquent. I'm glad we also got to hear from the two newer screenwriting voices. Matt, you're a delightful interviewer. So obvious you were having a blast. Thanks for this!

[@MegaMetallicaMASTER]

Little bit of trivia, that other woman is her daughter :)

[@mathijnd]

@@MegaMetallicaMASTERWait really? Is the younger woman with the green shirt the daughter of Philippa?

[@MegaMetallicaMASTER]

@@mathijnd Yup she sure is!

[@mathijnd]

@@MegaMetallicaMASTER Thats so fuckin cool! Keeping LOTR in the family like this. She seems just as passionate as her mother. Gives me even more faith in this movie. 👌🏻

[@MegaMetallicaMASTER]

@@mathijnd Same here!

[@pRODIGAL_sKEPTIC]

You know it's gonna be good when she says "oh can I *really nerd out then?" - then describes the brilliant (& now obvious) connection w Tolkien's art & Japanese block prints. Wonderful interview

[@jakermaker9697]

Philippa is the woman responsible for the soul of my favourite prologue of all time! Wonderful seeing her still as passionate and playful about Tolkien and Middle-Earth. Thanks for the interview, Matt; also hope you had an amazing time in NZ

[@cboynt8128]

This absolutely got me excited for the anime. Boyens is such a smart writer, I love hearing her gush over the material she had to write about.

[@dominicjong7597]

Lovely eloquent woman, her genuine passion for LOTR comes across in her scripts and writing. Great interview, thanks!

[@tonypap1]

Brilliant interview. Always loved listening to Philippa Boyens in the appendices of the LOTR box set DVDs, especially how she articulated the book-to-film challenges. Hugely talented lady who's "Tolkien heart" is true. Her involvement is what gives me such excitement to see War of the Rohirrim. Great work Matt. Hope (i'm sure) you had fun making this.

[@ErnestoMaldonado-mq8mx]

Greatest behind the scenes docs of all time -- bar none!

[@403fruit]

Had no idea a new film was coming out. Can’t wait to see this!!

[@nataliestclair6176]

As a huge Tolkien fan I am so excited for this!!! Wish there was a way to convince the people who did this to also make a similar movie based on Durins Folk, focusing on the War of the Dwarves and Orcs. That would be awesome!

[@bradylewis9698]

That would be amazing. The "story" I most want to see on screen are the Agmar Wars.

[@user-ds8rj2vc4v]

I'm hoping with it being an animated movie, the budget is lower and therefore less of a risk (and larger potential earnings in relation to budget) - as such, they could finance a lot more niche stories that otherwise wouldn've have ever been made as a large cinematic movie

[@istari0]

WB does have plans to make more 3rd Age films so it's possible we could get that film. There's a lot I would like to see; my first pick would probably be the Kin-Strife in Gondor.

[@iforgot87872]

I just want moar Thranduil in a movie is that too much to ask?

[@nataliestclair6176]

@@iforgot87872 so true, the Hobbit movies did his character injustice. While he loved gems he was not some greedy warmonger who would see his people die in battle for them. In the book he even told Bard when Dain and his dwarves arrived, "Long will I tarry before I go to war over gold" he stayed only when Gandalf showed up to tell them that the orcs under Bolg were coming.

[@Seansyoutubehandle]

I have so much faith in Phillipa!! Great interview and I can’t wait to finally return to middle earth!!

[@guilhermearanha5676]

No WAY she wrote War of the Rohirrim! Oh my god! How freaking pumped I am for this movie right now

[@patrickkihn]

“Where would you want to live, who would you want to be in Middle Earth?” Philippa’s answer is the same as mine! One of the Big People living in Bree, the only place in Middle earth where big folk and little folk live harmoniously together. We’re always proud to cater to little folk.

[@FredRoustaie]

It's really refreshing to hear someone who is so familiar with the source material talking about this topic, and taking a leading role in the making of this film, which is of course natural since she spent much of her career working on two Tolkien trilogies! Not to detract from the main topic, but I did not have that impression at all with Rings of Power's showrunners, as it felt like their whole marketing was centered around making excuses why they changed things and that they somehow felt like Tolkien's stories needed to be "updated". Basically, I'm really looking forward to this film, and I haven't had that feeling about a Tolkien piece of media for a long time.

[@neilbakshi7365]

She made so many idiotic decisions in the LOTR screenplays and firmly defended them in interviews. She doesn't understand the source material.

[@Fyre19]

they had ppl who "knew" the source material for rings and look what they did with that made hot garbage with it

[@user-ds8rj2vc4v]

@@neilbakshi7365 What decisions were idiotic?

[@beanzor]

@@user-ds8rj2vc4v there are fans who aren't happy with the movies because they changed things like removing the Scouring of the shire, replacing Glorfindel with Arwen, and many more changes. I'm not one of them but this is what I heard from those fans.

[@user-ds8rj2vc4v]

@@beanzor I get that, I was just wondering what they thought was an "idiotic" decision. I think a lot of changes were defendable. For example; I dislike the lack of Glorfindel. He was one of my favourite characters. However, adding Arwen to the story here allowed them additional exposition and development of Aragorn's story and relationship with Arwen. I also disliked that they changed Aragorn's character. But I liked that they cut Tom Bombadil & the Barrows.

[@thebrowneyesofmandalore]

Ok I Finally finished the interview and it made me so happy to watch Phillipa talk about Middle Earth and War of the Rohirrim. It took me back to watching the Appendixes of the movies. Just listening to her talk, and the other creators as well, about Middle Earth and how deep their passion lies, that they make every decision with love and care truly cements my love for Middle Earth and get me ever more excited for WotR. We haven’t been to the theaters for Middle Earth since BotFA and I can’t wait for this next one! May this be the beginning of a launch of even more Middle Earth entertainment, and thank you Matt for this wonderful video!

[@AniwayasSong]

Philippa is lookin' *GOOD!* :-) Lovely seeing her and watching this wonderful video!

[@LunaWolf29]

@AniwayasSong I thought the same thing! She looks amazing!

[@catcherinthesky4106]

She looks better today than 25 years ago.And she looks rich as well 🙂

[@roddo1955]

Just commented that😂 she had a major glow up in the years following LOTR! The make up is classy and understated. Her outfit is very casual but she just oozes quiet confidence and elegance.

[@LunaWolf29]

@roddo1955 I totally agree with you. She looks happy and relaxed. 🙂

[@kentl7228]

She is 62

[@MatthewStewart-1224]

What an awesome opportunity for you Matt, this has been awesome so far!

[@theKOmorita]

Congratulations Matt!! I'm so amazed by how far the channel got, probably all of us LotR fans were trying to squeeze through the screen just to join Philippa and you through all the nerdying out about Tolkien... and even getting a bonus chat with two of the screen writers?! Gosh, amazing content... I'm in awe!!!

[@taramoon4822]

Wow congrats on getting this interview. Can't wait for it!

[@adamcroft3705]

Yeeeeeeeaaahhh!!!! She’s a BEAST! One of my all time favorite screenwriters! I’m stoked for this interview!

[@RileyLawrence8]

There was so many moments where Phillipa was talking about possibilities where I kept getting chills. Tolkien was truly a master and I cannot wait for more faithful adaptations

[@BenDurr-pi2fz]

This is why I appreciate your channel interviews like this I am definitely more excited for this movie and can't wait till December!

[@adrianakryveshko]

Fabulous interview! Thank you, thank you, thank you!

[@Autonut-qs8vi]

1. She seems to actually care about the lore and story 2. Please be honest and true to the real story and have helm be a badass

[@purefoldnz3070]

3. I wonder what she really thinks of Rings of Power. I bet it aint pretty.

[@briarroseella7142]

These were two wonderful interviews, thank you so much!!!

[@ozzyg82]

Oh my God, I haven’t seen Phillippa on screen since the extended DVD appendices - such a nostalgia boost to see / hear her again. She’s a legend. ❤

[@dreddie1280]

I’m so proud to be a New Zealander because of this saga!Great interview! 🎉

[@sauntor]

Thanks for bringing us this interview! Hearing from the writers was incredible!

[@WhoIsCalli]

This was such a fantastic interview. Love Philippa. The ‘house wife in Bree’ line just got me 😂

[@DogoodPOG]

Thanks for doing this been sick and kinda down in the dumps , but watching this and seeing both your enthusiasm for the source material inspired me to watch all of the extended versions once again lol been a few years im excited !! 😀

[@AbisaiBonOv]

This is a very good interview/conversation! It was amazing! Watched it completely and now my excitement for the anime is through the roof ! Thank you for sharing this video with us

[@BertWilkins-hb4po]

Helm was given the name "Hammerhand" because of his immense strength and skill with his fists - he was known to fight barehanded due to a superstition that if "he used no weapon no weapon would upon bite him."

[@diblee]

Philippa seems like such a sweet soul. I am so excited for War of the Rohirrim.

[@BertoBerg]

Great interview! You always have a way of making the guests feel really comfortable.

[@thedoctor755]

Excellent!! Thank you for doing this :) Can't wait for December!

[@thepipinviking]

As much as I'm hesitant to get excited for new projects of well loved IPs, I love the reverence and genuine respect for the source matrial they have! Can't wait for December!

[@galaxydeathskrill5607]

I'd like to add one - The Kin-strife in Gondor with Eldacar and Castamir

[@MrCrowley66]

Thanks for doing this interview!

[@joaquinmig]

"Don't change it lightly".... I wish other LOTR writers would take that to heed ;)

[@johnhammonds5143]

To answer Phillipa's question: I also would like to see the story of Arvendui Last King, Earnur's coming to Arnor, the defeat of the Witch King, Malbeth's prediction, Glorfindel's prophecy, Eanur's end at Minas Morgul, and the choice of Mardil the Steward. Would also love to see the story of Amroth and Nimrodel, and the story of Eorl the Young, and the Ride from the North.

[@mishkaroo]

Gods, how different she is from everyone who works on the Rings of Power. These peeps only talk about themselves.

[@ScorpionSting24]

I truly think they want to make the best product they can and that they possess the depth of knowledge of Tolkien’s world like the writers of LOTR but they misunderstand the heart of the stories, which is love, friendship, justice, virtue, darkness, betrayal, hardship, courage, and resolve as well as a clear distinction between good and evil. They got some of that in the show but to me, the ROP is just another fantasy show. If you’re gonna put LOTR in the title, put those attributes in it too. FYI I love how ROP looks and the music is great.

[@teresaharris-travelbybooks5564]

I loved hearing Phillippa talk; on the documentaries that are on the extended editions of LOTR. Thanks for this interview.

[@eddie_babyyy]

Amazing! Thanks for this. Can't wait to see Helm Hammerhand depicted, especially voiced by Brian Cox. So perfect.

[@RichardMontgomeryYT]

Brian Cox the space science dude?

[@EAsp100]

​@@RichardMontgomeryYTnooooo!! The guy from succession 😂😂

[@MegaMetallicaMASTER]

So epic that Philippa’s daughter is one of the main writers! I remember her being in the Lovely Bones also!

[@VainEldritch]

But is she a good writer...?

[@MegaMetallicaMASTER]

She certainly has the passion, and her mothers years of experience as guidance. I'd say that's a very encouraging start. @@VainEldritch

[@prodigalfraudaddy-es1gl]

​@@MegaMetallicaMASTERits crap ..they changed the lead ..they erased theodens line by making hers the lead and who seeks revenge ..what happens to helms nephew who become first of second line of kings of whom theoden is in line ?

[@slw59]

This was an awesome interview. Thank you so much!

[@RobKlarmann]

Mate, your work is just so awesome! Well done on this incredible interview.

[@jonathanhead9629]

Such a great interview and interviewees. Looking forward to the movie

[@DonaldMovies]

Incredible interview!!!! Thank you so much.

[@ingenieroescritor6719]

Thank you, great interview. It's incredible the way the LOTR movies endured the test of time. The whole story flows so well...and you get the feeling that there was a lot of love and respect put by all the crew into the movies.

[@sauronbaggins1833]

NZ people are so warm. LOTR had to be made there. Their heart is in the right place. Great interview. I was hoping to get a hint about the upcoming projects Warners announced. I think this is going to be a test to see how the new generations react.

[@oneworldfamily]

This is wonderful! Thanks so much to you both for this.

[@NimpanZ]

Love how her eyes light up when she speaks about her work. This interview is a real privilege to watch as a fan.

[@dkoppenol]

What an amazing talk! Whenever someone thinks they should stop themselves talking, you know you've got a great interview. Keep it up. 👌🏻 Very hyped for this.

[@SanoyNimbus]

I started watching this 5 days ago ... but didn't have time finish it until now. Glad I went back to this video. Thanks for posting this interview. I really am looking forward to this Christmas in Middle Earth!

[@balrogofmorgoth6812]

Thank you so much for this, this is wonderful!!

[@simonh162]

Brilliant interview, you can actually see and hear the passion in these people. Can't wait to see it.

[@jamesgalbreath343]

Fantastic interview-THanks for sharing this with us eager Lord of the Rings fans.

[@SmileyGuru]

Great interview. Can’t wait for war of the rohirrim!

[@abefroman.]

This was amazing! Fantastic job Matt!!

[@thesoultransferprotocol721]

Philippa is looking great! Cant wait for this!!! Thank you Philippa for all of your writings for the LOTR and The Hobbit and your creative insights. You are GOLD.

[@GuilhermeOrtiz]

wow man, you really got the best interview ever with philippa. thank you.

[@YTPremiumWatch]

Such a wonderful conversation. I love that we haven’t seen a single frame yet! Reminds me of the 90s / the boy and the heron

[@RobKlarmann]

The timing of this movie feels eerily appropriate, considering the conflicts around the world right now.

[@dubyapark]

What a great interview. Philippa is just fascinating to listen to.. always hiding a Lil something. Also she looks great! It's really quite nice to see someone embrace their fame but be humble and keep their roots. She is a treasure tbh

[@afolsom685]

Hi Matt. This is Brilliant! You're so good at this. Asking the questions we'd like the answers to. And letting us know without words how bloody much fun this was for you. 👍😊

[@0oDUBLINo0]

He 100% got the nickname after he beat the pulp out of the enemy with his bare hands.

[@star_wars_miniatures]

In the table top wargame (middle earth SBG) Using Helm you can literally choose to put your sword away and fight with your bare hands😅 it’s brilliant! Similarly with Dain Ironfoot you can headbutt your enemies too!

[@cptnbatu]

Awesome and we would love to see more this kind of interviews on this channel !

[@TamaHawkLive]

I'm so happy this woman was given another opportunity to influence this world again and I respect Sola Entertainment so much for making the decision to hand draw all the animation for this movie. This movie is seriously going to bleed so much heart talent, and character it's unreal.

[@seanbrittain5244]

Great interview, loved your guys chat

[@Timeless040]

In the moment Philippa says..you see edoras...but you never see edoras in flames...instant Goooosebumps.

[@rrr40]

FANTASTIC INTERVIEW I'M EXCITED FOR A NEW MOVIE COMING CAN'T WAIT

[@revpgesqredux]

Philippa and I are pretty level on the JRRT fandom..i am about 10 years older and i did immediately bond to TH and LOTR. I also am an attorney and Christian pastor and admittedly a bonkers fanboy of Philippa... For everything...for her saving the appearances of so many aspects of LOTR in the movies, for her humane and thoughtful speech, because she is way beautiful too 😍🤩

[@Createme99]

I've watched the LOTR BTS videos so much, this is so surreal hearing recent audio of Philippa Boyens voice 🤩🙌🏼

[@silver9wolf6]

Right!? That's how i'm feeling right now 😁

[@haasofprops]

Great chat! Can't wait for the movie!!!!

[@StarWarsstuffPodcast]

Timeless ALL-TIME Cinematic Masterpieces that will live until the end of all things. Thank you Philippa!

[@CedarloreForge]

Philippa is such a treasure. Can't wait for this! Let's forge some Rohan swords in honor of it Matt, or Helms Hammer! ⚒🔥

[@NerdoftheRings]

Oooo! Helm’s Hammer could be pretty awesome!!! We gotta get some forging this spring/summer!

[@CedarloreForge]

@@NerdoftheRings I’ve wanted to forge his hammer for a while, it wouldn’t take too long either! And yeah my brand new lakeside dream-workshop up here in Northern IN is already looking like it’s straight out of Edoras. You and your fam are welcome any time! 😁⚒️🔥🙏

[@ajfilmguy]

I love this!! As a screenwriter it's very helpful to hear from one of the writers of my favorite films of all time!

[@thomasgrimm1664]

I didn't even know this was in the works. Thanks to everybody for doing this interview.

[@Butterthanever]

Excellent interview!!!

[@blair5plus1]

Wow! So pumped for this Santa gift 2024 release. After experiencing Dune 2 in IMAX, I couldn’t be more grateful/excited that iconic Sci-Fi/Fantasy cerebral masterpieces are gaining their richly deserved attention & praise. So refreshing to hear this calibre of passion & talent being applied to next level production. Bring on December 🚀❤️

[@MissGimpsAlot]

Only a few minutes in, and what a great conversation!!! 🙌

[@zenithquasar9623]

I am genuinely psyched about this. I hope the animation is very detailed and will set a cinematic animation standard. Phillipa is such a down to Earth soul whose work I completely trust!

[@midnightzero3760]

This has me massively excited, and having read the appendix I can tell that this is going to be a great story to see on screen!

[@S77StopMotion]

Thanks man. Thats nice. Can' t wait !

[@kaptenteo]

This talk was amazing. I'm definitely looking forward to seeing the film; feels like the story is in good hands.

[@ivsido]

Great interview and fun little scoops! Philippa is a genius.

[@hamzahassaballa5050]

It’s nice to see her back!

[@TCO1216]

Great job Matt amazing interview!! 🥰🥰🥰🥰🥰

[@timmeinshausen6060]

Philippa is such a treasure...THANK you for what you did and what you still do for our fandom!!! You will forever be an elffriend!! a star shon on the hour of your first involvement with this film franchise!

[@thesigmaritepainter7803]

Fantastic interview!

[@Matthewwithers33]

As long as we have writers like her who truly care about the material I think it will be fantastic!

[@TheHoaxThere]

Omg! Finally we are getting something!

[@AsteroidTVGaming]

Thank you for doing for us dude!!

[@rickkarrer8370]

Thanks, I didn't even realize they were making this.

[@mrs.manrique7411]

Watching this a second time around, this was so good.

[@ghostdreamer7272]

Great interview!