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Bret McKenzie as "Elf Escort" in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

Figwit is a fan-created name for a then-unnamed Elf Escort in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings film series, played by Bret McKenzie of the musical duo Flight of the Conchords. The name Figwit derives from an acronym for "Frodo is great...who is THAT?!?" [sic]. The character quickly and unexpectedly became popular among Tolkien fandom, and is perceived as an example of famous for being famous, a view shared by the character's actor himself.

Background

[edit]

Bret McKenzie, half of the musical comedy duo Flight of the Conchords, first landed a small role as an extra in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring.[1] He appears sitting next to Aragorn during the council in Rivendell scene. The elf was dubbed "Figwit" by fan Iris Hadad; after seeing Frodo agree to take the ring, saying "I will take it", the film switches to a shot where Figwit can be seen standing on the far right, and Hadad's initial reaction was "Frodo is great...who is THAT?!?"[2] Later, Hadad corresponded with her university friend Sherry de Andres, and the two created the first Figwit fan website, www.figwitlives.net, calling him "Legolas for the thinking woman".[3]

McKenzie appeared as Figwit again in the third film, The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King, where he was credited as "Elf Escort". He appears in the scene where Arwen is leaving for the Grey Havens and has a vision of her future son, Eldarion, this time with two lines warning her to not delay and then exclaiming as she turns around. Director Peter Jackson stated in the DVD commentary for The Return of the King that Figwit was called back and given dialogue in the third film "just for fun for the fans" because "so much fuss has been made about him over the last couple of years".[4]

McKenzie played another elf in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, Lindir, who has a brief appearance in the novel The Fellowship of the Ring. McKenzie has stated that Lindir and Figwit are different characters.[5]

Popularity

[edit]

Though he only appeared for about three seconds in Fellowship of the Ring, Figwit's popularity soon blossomed, with Hadad stating that "[the fan site] got a lot of e-mails from people who thought they were the only ones who had noticed that handsome, dark-haired elf".[6] Figwit's physical appearance and demeanor are the source of much of his popularity: he has been noted for his "lithe and graceful" movement,[7] "enigmatic broodiness", "haughty demeanor", and "pouty" looks.[3] His fan website proclaims him "in a word, gorgeous. Or another, stunning... hypnotic... stupendous... captivating... take your pick."[2][8]

McKenzie has stated that the Figwit obsession is "weird," though he is "flattered."[9] He has remarked that "it's so hilarious because it's been propelled by so little ... I'm famous for doing nothing."[7][10]

A Topps Authentic Autograph card featuring 'Figwit' and Bret McKenzie's signature.

In other media

[edit]

Figwit does not appear in Tolkien's writings and was created exclusively for the films; thus there is little authentic information regarding him, save that he is a royal escort. The only "official" place where the name Figwit is used is on several Topps trading cards, including a The Return of the King series card, titled "Return to Rivendell," and an Authentic Autographs card featuring the signature of actor Bret McKenzie.[11] In The Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game he was assigned the name of Aegnor, one of Galadriel's brothers in The Silmarillion. A Figwit action figure was also created, though it was named "Elven Escort," as in the film.[12]

Figwit has been a subject of poetry, art, and fiction,[8] in particular in the slash genre of Tolkien fan fiction, where he is named Melpomaen. This is a chimera translation of "figwit" from two of Tolkien's Elvish languages: melpo, Quenya for "fig",[13] and maen, Noldorin for clever or skilled.[14]

Documentary

[edit]

In 2004, a 57-minute documentary on the Figwit phenomenon was created by McKenzie's fiancée (and now wife) Hannah Clarke[15] and friends Stan Alley and Nick Booth. Entitled Frodo Is Great... Who Is That?!!, it premiered at the Auckland International Film Festival on July 23.[16] Meant to "[unravel] Bret's identity",[16] it follows McKenzie to the Edinburgh Festival Fringe, where he meets the fans of his trademark pout and "elvish good looks", and features extensive interviews with fans behind various Figwit fan sites as well as with Peter Jackson, Barrie Osborne, Mark Ordesky, Ian McKellen, and other cast members.[7][17] Booth stated that their film was "much more irreverent and strange" compared to other behind-the-scenes documentaries of the film trilogy, which were "very much driven around the production and the cast and Tolkien".[16]

References

[edit]
[edit]
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Figwit

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Figwit is a fan-created for an unnamed character portrayed by New Zealand comedian and musician in Peter Jackson's : The Fellowship of the Ring (2001). The term, an acronym for "Frodo is great... who is that?", originated from a reaction by fan Iris Hadad during a screening of the film, where McKenzie's character appears briefly as an extra in the scene without any dialogue. Due to the character's striking visual presence and the ensuing , McKenzie was brought back for expanded roles, including as the "Elf Escort" in (2003) and as the named Elf Lindir in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), a minor character from J.R.R. Tolkien's writings. The rapid rise of the Figwit phenomenon began shortly after the film's release, amplified by the website FigwitLives.com and early media coverage, leading to , merchandise, and a 2004 comedy documentary featuring McKenzie. McKenzie's involvement in the franchise was influenced by this fan enthusiasm, as director acknowledged the demand by recasting him in subsequent productions. Beyond his Middle-earth appearances, McKenzie's career highlights include co-creating and starring in the HBO series (2007–2009), winning an Academy Award for Best Original Song for "Man or Muppet" from (2011)—making him one of the few actors associated with to receive such an honor—and releasing the solo album Freak Out City in August 2025, with plans announced for a reunion tour. The enduring appeal of Figwit underscores the interactive nature of modern , transforming a mere background extra into a within Tolkien's universe.

Character and film appearances

Role in The Fellowship of the Ring

The unnamed elf character, later affectionately dubbed Figwit by fans, makes his debut as a background extra in the Council of Elrond scene set in Rivendell in The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring (2001). Positioned on the far right among the assembled representatives, he is depicted as a lithe elf escort in flowing green attire, embodying the graceful and ethereal presence of Rivendell's inhabitants. During the tense deliberations, the character subtly reacts to the unfolding events, particularly turning toward with an enigmatic and brooding expression as the hobbit declares his willingness to bear to . This brief moment captures a sense of emotional depth amid the council's rising conflict, underscoring the weight of the decision without any spoken lines. The role was portrayed by actor and musician in a 3-second non-speaking cameo, filmed during in 2000. Unlike elements drawn from J.R.R. Tolkien's novel, this specific elf has no direct basis in , serving as a cinematic invention to populate the scene with additional elven figures.

Appearances in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and The Hobbit

In The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003), Bret McKenzie reprised his role as the unnamed elf from The Fellowship of the Ring, appearing briefly as part of the elven escort accompanying Arwen to the Grey Havens. In this film-exclusive scene, set during Arwen's vision of her future with Aragorn, the character—credited simply as "Elf Escort"—urges Arwen to proceed with the group, delivering the lines "Lady Arwen, we cannot delay" and, after she turns back toward Rivendell, "My lady!" The footage was shot in post-production in 2003, specifically added by director Peter Jackson as a nod to the character's unexpected popularity among fans from his earlier silent cameo. Jackson later explained in the DVD commentary for the extended edition that McKenzie was called back and given these lines "just for fun," acknowledging the online buzz surrounding the elf without any basis in J.R.R. Tolkien's novels. In extended media tied to the films, such as the Decipher Lord of the Rings trading card game, the character was named Aegnor—a reference to a Noldorin elf from Tolkien's The Silmarillion—though this designation is non-canonical and not used in the movie itself. McKenzie's involvement extended to Peter Jackson's The Hobbit trilogy, where he portrayed a distinct character: Lindir, an elf advisor and aide to Elrond in Rivendell. This role debuted in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), with Lindir appearing in several scenes during the company's stay at Rivendell, including greeting Gandalf and the dwarves upon their arrival and assisting in preparations such as arranging baths for the dwarves (featured in the extended edition). In the extended cut, Lindir also confers with Elrond about the dwarves' excessive feasting, emphasizing his position as Elrond's right-hand elf in managing Rivendell affairs. While Lindir originates as a minor figure in Tolkien's The Fellowship of the Ring—mentioned only as a singer at a Rivendell feast—his film portrayal expands him into a more active supporting role with no direct connection to the Figwit character, though fans often associate the two due to McKenzie's recurring elven appearance and the shared Rivendell setting. Like Figwit, Lindir's expanded presence is a film-original development, unbound by the source material's limited descriptions.

The Figwit fan phenomenon

Origin of the name and initial discovery

The name "Figwit" originated in early 2002 when Iris Hadad, an Israeli college student and Lord of the Rings fan, noticed the unnamed elf extra during a viewing of The Fellowship of the Ring. Struck by his appearance in the background of the Council of Elrond scene, Hadad exclaimed "Frodo is great... who is THAT?!"—an utterance that became the basis for the acronym "Figwit," standing for "Frodo Is Great... Who Is That?!" Hadad's discovery gained initial traction through personal sharing: she emailed screenshots and her reaction to her friend Sherry de Andres, whom she had met on an online Lord of the Rings message board. This exchange sparked early buzz among fans, leading to discussions on forums such as TheOneRing.net in early 2002. The brief, non-speaking role—lasting just three seconds—had gone largely unnoticed during the film's theatrical release in late 2001, as audiences focused on the main action, but repeated viewings allowed for closer scrutiny. The phenomenon received its first major press coverage in August 2002, when profiled the elf as an "elfin charmer" who had unexpectedly captured fans' attention, highlighting Hadad's role in dubbing him Figwit. By December 2002, described him as an "elusive brooding elf" appealing to female fans seeking an alternative to more prominent characters like , noting his allure for "thinking women" drawn to his handsome, dark-haired intensity. These articles marked the shift from niche fan chatter to broader recognition, attributing the spark to Hadad's initial reaction.

Online popularity and fan communities

The Figwit phenomenon rapidly achieved cult status in the early 2000s through grassroots online efforts, spreading via fan forums, dedicated websites, and email chains where enthusiasts shared screenshots and exclamations about the unnamed elf's brief appearance in . By late 2002, searches for "Figwit" yielded mentions on over 1,300 websites, including chat rooms and early fansites, reflecting a viral momentum driven by word-of-mouth in Tolkien communities before widespread platforms. This popularity peaked around the release of in , as fans attributed the character's expanded cameo—with a credited role as "Elf Escort" and a single line of dialogue—to the online buzz, though no formal s for additional screen time were documented; instead, a 2002 circulated for a Figwit , amassing signatures to lobby toy manufacturers. Dedicated fan websites emerged as central hubs for , with the inaugural site, FigwitLives.net, launching in March 2002 under the direction of Iris Hadad, an Israeli student in Britain, and her collaborator Sherry de Andres. The site featured image galleries of the character, detailed FAQs explaining the "Frodo is great... who is that?" origin, and a playful promoting "Figwit for thinking women," attracting thousands of visitors and over 8,000 emails by the mid-2010s. Complementary online spaces included fan fiction archives on platforms like and early Tolkien-specific repositories such as the Library of Moria, where stories expanded Figwit's backstory, often pairing him with other elves in genres, fostering a niche but devoted subcommunity within broader Lord of the Rings fandom. Bret McKenzie, the actor behind Figwit, responded to the attention in 2002 interviews with bemused amusement, describing the fixation as propelled by "so little" and himself as "famous for doing nothing," while later reflecting on it as "pretty weird, but I'm flattered." He did not actively promote the phenomenon during its initial surge, allowing fan-driven momentum to shape its trajectory without personal endorsement. Figwit's rise exemplified early in a pre-social media landscape, relying on blogs, message boards, and forwards rather than viral videos or hashtags, which set it apart from more visually dominant characters like whose appeal centered on action sequences and . This adaptation to nascent digital tools highlighted a contrast: while flashier elves drew mainstream hype, Figwit's subtle allure—brooding glances and minimal presence—resonated through ironic, community-sustained memes that emphasized his "everyman" elf mystique.

Cultural extensions

Merchandise and collectibles

Official merchandise featuring Figwit primarily consists of s produced during the height of the film trilogy's popularity. The 2003 Topps : set includes card #38, titled "Return to ," which prominently displays a profile image of Figwit from his brief appearance in the scene in . This card, part of a larger series capitalizing on the films' extended editions, marked one of the earliest official recognitions of the character in collectible form. Additionally, issued autograph cards in 2003 and 2004, signed by actor , further highlighting Figwit's cult status within the franchise's memorabilia line. In the Decipher Lord of the Rings Trading Card Game, Figwit appears as the card "Aegnor, Elven Escort" (card 10U4) from the 2004 Mount Doom expansion set, using an image derived from his scene and assigning him the name Aegnor, drawn from Tolkien's lore as one of Galadriel's brothers in The Silmarillion. This entry provided fans with a playable representation of the elf, integrating him into strategic while extending the character's visibility beyond the films. Extended editions of these sets, released through 2004, included additional variants and memorabilia inserts, though Figwit-specific items remained niche. Action figures based on Figwit emerged in response to dedicated fan advocacy. In 2002, an gathered signatures urging toy manufacturers to produce a Figwit figure, reflecting the character's growing online popularity. While no such figure appeared in Toy Biz's 2004 Return of the King lineup, Collector's Models released a highly detailed 1:21 scale Figwit statue in 2008, depicting him in elven attire with accessories like a bow, fulfilling long-standing fan requests after six years. Fan-created items extend the phenomenon through apparel and art, often shared via dedicated websites. The fan site figwitlives.net hosts a gallery of original artwork portraying Figwit in various scenarios, such as Middle-earth formalwear or interactions with other elves, created by community artists including Lhunuial, Candice, and Brianna Garcia. These digital and printable designs have inspired custom apparel like t-shirts and prints sold through fan networks, though production remains small-scale and unofficial. No major or book tie-ins feature Figwit prominently, consistent with his status as a background extra. Merchandise releases from 2002 to 2004, including the and Decipher cards, leveraged the pre- trilogy fan buzz to introduce Figwit to collectors, yet the output was limited in scope and volume compared to items for central characters like or , emphasizing his role as a curiosity rather than a commercial mainstay.

Documentary and tributes

In 2004, fans produced the 57-minute documentary Frodo Is Great... Who Is That?!!, directed by Hannah Clarke, Stan Alley, and Nick Booth, which chronicled the Figwit phenomenon's rise to status. The film premiered on July 23, 2004, at the International Film Festival in , where it received enthusiastic responses from Lord of the Rings enthusiasts. It featured interviews with actor , director , producer , and various fans, including discussions on the character's brief screen time and its unexpected appeal. The documentary delved into the meme's origins through archival footage of online forums and fan websites, while highlighting its cultural impact via testimonials from devotees who organized events around McKenzie's appearances. It also explored broader dynamics, with Jackson reflecting on how such attention influenced casting decisions in subsequent films. Primarily screened at fan conventions and festivals rather than achieving wide commercial distribution, the film remains a key artifact of early subcultures, available in excerpts on platforms like but not in official releases. Beyond , Figwit inspired tributes in fan-created media, notably within Tolkien-inspired where the character was often renamed Melpomaen, an approximate Elvish construct blending "melpo" (fig) and Noldorin "maen" (clever or skilled). This nomenclature appeared in numerous stories on archives like , portraying Melpomaen as a Rivendell with expanded backstory tied to canonical events./works) Additionally, acknowledged the indirectly in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King (2003) by granting McKenzie's a speaking role—uttering lines about Arwen's departure—after learning of the online buzz during production, as detailed in the film's DVD commentary. Following McKenzie's casting as the elf Lindir in The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), the Figwit meme experienced brief revivals among fans, with online discussions and memes resurfacing to celebrate the actor's return to Middle-earth in a named role. However, no major new tributes or documentaries emerged by 2025, as the phenomenon had largely subsided into nostalgic references within broader Lord of the Rings communities.

References

  1. https://knowyourmeme.com/memes/figwit
  2. https://www.cbr.com/lotr-figwit-elf-dedicated-fanbase-explained/
  3. https://screenrant.com/lord-rings-hobbit-brett-mckenzie-figwit-elf-flight-conchords/
  4. https://www.subpop.com/news/2025/08/15/bret_mckenzies_freak_out_city_is_out_today_worldwide_from_sub_pop
  5. https://au.variety.com/2025/music/news/bret-mckenzie-flight-of-the-conchords-future-26666/
  6. https://www.clashmusic.com/features/make-it-more-deranged-bret-mckenzie-in-conversation/
  7. https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2012/01/05/52434-bret-mckenzie-talks-about-figwit-and-lindir/
  8. https://tolkiengateway.net/wiki/Figwit
  9. https://www.theguardian.com/film/2002/dec/13/lordoftherings.news
  10. https://www.figwitlives.net/bigissue1.htm
  11. https://www.figwitlives.net/
  12. https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2003/09/14/8465-back-for-another-three-seconds-of-fame/
  13. https://www.mentalfloss.com/article/52387/figwit-our-favorite-extremely-minor-elf
  14. http://www.libraryofmoria.com/a/browse.php?type=characters&charid=69
  15. https://www.ebay.com/itm/197016893988
  16. https://moesbillcards.com/products/2003-topps-lord-of-the-rings-the-return-of-the-king-bret-mckenzie-figwit-autograph-trading-card
  17. https://www.tcdb.com/Gallery.cfm/sid/84022/2004-Decipher-Lord-of-the-Rings-Mount-Doom
  18. https://www.petitiononline.com/figwit/petition.html
  19. https://www.figwitlives.net/gallery.htm
  20. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425993/
  21. http://ir.canterbury.ac.nz/bitstream/handle/10092/1745/thesis_fulltext.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
  22. https://www.moriareviews.com/fantasy/frodo-is-great-who-is-that-2004.htm
  23. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=adCbKyqPTR4
  24. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0425993/plotsummary/
  25. https://www.theonering.net/torwp/2004/07/23/24671-figwit-documentary-a-jolly-good-laugh-2/
  26. https://www.cbr.com/figwit-internet-fan-favorite-fandom-power-lord-of-rings/
  27. https://theplaylist.net/peter-jackson-wants-flight-of-the-conchords-star-bret-mckenzie-for-the-hobbit-20110331/
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