If Peter Jackson had dropped his iconic Lord of the Rings trilogy today, he’d probably face a social media firestorm, all thanks to a deleted Liv Tyler scene that never saw the light of day. Imagine the frenzy—fans outraged, hashtags trending, and think pieces flying left and right. Back in the early 2000s, Jackson made his directorial choices without TikTok think tanks or Twitter trolls.
But fast forward to today, and that one scene featuring Tyler’s Arwen could have sparked an internet riot. It’s a different world now, where one cut can lead to a viral uproar, and Jackson would have had to answer for every snip and trim made to his beloved saga.
Arwen’s Deleted Battle Scene: A Missed Opportunity in Today’s Call for Representation
If Peter Jackson had made The Lord of the Rings trilogy today, he might have been ‘crucified’ for cutting Liv Tyler’s scene in The Two Towers. Why? In an era where representation is a hot topic, fans and critics would likely take issue with sidelining a major female character like Arwen—especially after she put in the effort to train for a battle scene that never made it to the final cut.
In the original plan, Arwen was set to join the Elves at Helm’s Deep, adding another layer to her character. Jackson himself revealed in a behind-the-scenes interview that time constraints and plot reasons led to the scene’s removal. But with today’s discussions surrounding female representation, it’s hard to imagine Arwen being so easily excluded.
Arwen wasn’t a passive character in Jackson’s adaptation. Jackson had already expanded her role by giving her Glorfindel’s moment from the books—rescuing Frodo from the Nazgûl in The Fellowship of the Ring. The added screen time gave her character more presence, creating powerful cinema moments, even if they strayed from Tolkien’s text.
Given the current climate, with shows like Rings of Power featuring strong female leads, Jackson’s decision would’ve been much more scrutinized. Arwen’s battle scene could have added depth and representation, fitting right into today’s call for more dynamic female characters in big-budget films.
When you compare this to The Hobbit trilogy, where Galadriel (Cate Blanchett) plays a more significant role, it seems even more likely that Arwen’s action-packed moment would’ve made the cut today. Looking back, it’s clear Jackson made decisions that would stir up different reactions now. Would Arwen’s battle scene have changed the dynamic of The Two Towers? Absolutely—especially in today’s cinematic world.
Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh Return as Executive Producers for The War of the Rohirrim
Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh are officially back in Middle-earth! The duo, who brought us the Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, have joined The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim as executive producers. Philippa Boyens revealed the exciting news during the film’s work-in-progress session at the Annecy Film Festival, explaining how Jackson and Walsh “have been huge supporters of this film from the very beginning.”
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, the anime feature is set 183 years before the original trilogy and follows Hera, daughter of Rohan’s hot-headed king, as they defend the kingdom. Jackson’s trust in Kamiyama signals a fresh take on Tolkien’s world, blending a new vision with the legacy of the original trilogy.
The Lord of the Rings is available to watch on Amazon Prime.
