One of the most legendary images in the Lord of the Rings trilogy was created by an extra. MeinMMO tells you what’s behind it.
The epic battles of Middle-earth, as brought to life in Peter Jackson’s cinematic interpretation of JRR Tolkien’s masterpiece The Lord of the Rings, are known for their striking visuals and emotional moments.
Among these moments, one in particular stands out, created not by elaborate makeup or effects, but by the unique presence of one actor – Wayne Phillips.
German trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
More videos
Autoplay
Real eye injury in the Battle of Helm’s Deep
Who is Wayne Phillips? Wayne Phillips, a New Zealand actor, may not be immediately known to the general public. In “The Two Towers” he played the captain of the archers, while in “The Return of the King” he portrayed a soldier from Rohan.
In which part can you see the picture? In the second part of the trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers (2002), the action reaches a climax in the epic Battle of Helm’s Deep. This fortress in Rohan is defended against the dark forces of Saruman by King Théoden and his allies, including warriors from Rohan and an alliance of elves.
In the battle, Phillips played an extra as a Rohan soldier who only had one eye. This authentic detail was not makeup or an effect, but a genuine Phillips trait. He usually wore an eye patch on set to cover his missing eye (via 3djuegos).
Director Peter Jackson asked him what was under the hatch when he first walked onto the set. He then offered him to play the role without an eye patch. At first Phillips was hesitant and unsure, but then agreed. It helped him feel more comfortable.
In addition to his involvement in The Lord of the Rings trilogy, he also appeared in Jackson’s The Hobbit films and Mortal Engines. Did you already know that? One of the most popular quotes in the Lord of the Rings films wasn’t actually in the script: Because he didn’t know the text, Gandalf improvised one of the most famous quotes of all