The Cinematic Decision: Arwen's Replacement of Glorfindel in Lord of the Rings

While many fans have discussed the replacement of Glorfindel with Arwen in the film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings, one co-screenwriter has provided insight into the reasoning behind this change. According to Philippa Boyens, the idea was to expand Arwen's role and introduce more 'female energy'

As a moderator on a Tolkien-related messageboard at the time, the author can attest that this change was anything but a 'fan pleaser.' Many Tolkien fans were highly critical of any deviation from J.R.R. Tolkien's written work, and director Peter Jackson was well aware of this scrutiny.

However, the author acknowledges that Glorfindel's presence wasn't entirely necessary in the film. Jackson saw an opportunity to introduce Arwen as a means to develop her character and create a stronger connection between Aragorn and the other characters. Arwen's introduction allowed the audience to gain more insight into her character and create intrigue in their minds. The viewer's interest in her character would naturally carry through the rest of the trilogy.

The author further explains that, unlike in the books, the film doesn't have the luxury of pausing to delve deeply into the characters' histories. Each scene must be impactful and carry as much weight as possible. Glorfindel's role as an elf character in the film would appear as just another elf, lacking the gravitas and presence that Tolkien had previously communicated. Furthermore, Jackson wanted to introduce a character who would be pivotal in all three films and serve as the focal point of Aragorn's heart, which Arwen perfectly embodied.

Ultimately, Jackson made a series of superb cinematic decisions, and the introduction of Arwen was one of them. Her performance in the Flight to the Ford scene, as played by Liv Tyler, was brilliant and improved upon the book's version. The audience was about to be introduced to a collection of male warriors, so introducing Arwen, who stands out amongst the others, kept the scene fresh and engaging.

While the author doesn't believe that Arwen appearing in the book would have been better, and respects the decision to not edit Tolkien's work, it cannot be denied that this cinematic choice worked well within the context of the film. Jackson's consideration of how to best present Arwen on screen, and let her character flow naturally in the story, resulted in a more cohesive and engaging narrative for the viewers.