Why their were no women in the fellowship

[The Saucepan Man]

Originally Posted by Mithalwen

And yes that is irrational and unfair - but it didn't help that she seemed so unenthusiastic about the films in the first interviews.

Interestingly, Liv was apparently instrumental in the omission of Arwen from the Helm's Deep scenes. But that was no doubt because she was so stung by the internet reaction, rather than any deep affection for Tolkien's writings.

Funnily enough, I have come round to the view that "Xenarwen" at Helm's Deep wouldn't have been such a bad thing. Quite apart from the fact that she would have been more manly than Haldir and the chorus line he turned up with, I don't see why it shouldn't work within Tolkien's conception of Middle-earth. Why shouldn't Elven women be warriors? Whether you like it or not, the tale of Luthien and Beren certainly portrays Luthien in a very strong light, and Arwen was supposed to be, in some ways, the "reincarnation" of Luthien. Giving her a strong role in the films wouldn't have been that far off base, to my mind, when viewed in that context.