Trailer for new fantasy film releasing this week from Stuart Brennan also stars Jennifer English from Baldurs Gate 3 in a “gritty wood elf adventure!”
WARLORD is a new fantastical adventure featuring elves and men and magic in an epic medieval setting. It is explained as:
“Determined to free her city from the clutches of evil forces, one woman seeks out an elven Warlord and his powerful allies for aid.”
Directed by Stuart Brennan (who also acts), the film stars Billy Boyd, Ryan Gage, Georgina Leonidas, Jennifer English, Aliona Baranova, Kerry Norton and Richard Goss. The film releases digitally May 16, 2025 on AppleTV and other on-demand VOD services.
The cast is stacked with fan favorites! Billy Boyd played Peregrin Took (Pippin) in The Lord of the Rings films, Ryan Gage was Alfrid in The Hobbit sequels, Jennifer English is the actress behind Shadowheart in Baldurs Gate 3 and Latenna in Elden Ring, Georgina Leonidas was in the original Harry Potter movies, and director Stuart Brennan is a BAFTA Cymru-winning British actor, playwright, producer and director who is a leading figure within indie cinema supporting high concept filmmaking and championing film festivals globally.
What’s more, Director Stuart Brennan joined Clifford Broadway on TORN Tuesday this week. Check out what he had to say below.
Press Release for a “Gritty Wood Elf Adventure”
The studio behind WARLORD sends over the following description of the movie, out this Friday on demand.
Helmed by award-winning writer-director Stuart Brennan (Kingslayer, Assassin’s Guild), Warlord promises a dark and immersive journey into a mystical forest realm where war, rebellion, and power struggles unfold in uncompromising fashion.
Starring an ensemble cast led by Billy Boyd (The Lord of the Rings), along with Ryan Gage, known for his role as Alfrid in the The Hobbit; Warlord delivers a fresh take on medieval fantasy. With cinematography by Doug Milsome BSC, ASC (Full Metal Jacket, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves), the film boasts a striking visual aesthetic reminiscent of classic epic filmmaking.
Set in a world rife with injustice, Warlord follows a peaceful Wood Elf leader forced to take up arms against an oppressive Sheriff and his mercenaries. As rebellion stirs, alliances are tested, and the elves’ true motives come into question, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for justice and survival.
Director Stuart Brennan shares his vision: “I grew up inspired by stories like Robin Hood, and I wanted to craft a film that explores timeless struggles—oppression, resistance, and the cost of war. Warlord is an intense, character-driven journey that I feel is timely and dealing with themes that are current real world issues. Having been a big fan of Warhammer growing up, Wood Elves were always my army of choice and so getting a chance to bring wood elves into my universe has been particularly special.”
A first-look at the poster of the film has been released today with exclusive images of Billy Boyd as The Sheriff and Ryan Gage as The Brute. Brennan was very excited about the casting; “I love Lord of the Rings, so working with Billy was very cool. He’s incredibly detail orientated and a very prepared actor. He arrived on set excited to be playing a dark and richly complex character. We’d had a few video calls to talk through the part and once he was in costume, on location it was genuinely one of the highlights of my career being able to capture him bringing this role to life. It’s very different from anything he’s done before.”
This was the third movie he had got to work with Gage; “Ryan is a superb actor, he’s also very prepared, very specific and creative with his choices. He was one of the first people I sent the script to and this character really jumped out at him. He’s a lot of fun in this movie, very dark, very wicked.”
TV show spinoff of their successful podcast begins airing on UK tv, while the boys post outtakes on Patreon.
Billy & Dom Eat the World is a new TV travel show where your favorite hobbit actors visit unique places around the world experiencing local cuisine. It started as a segment on their Friendship Onion podcast and now UK television viewers can catch their many adventures. Watch on Virgin UHD at 8:10pm Monday (tonight!)
Celebrity travel shows seem to be all the rage – Stanley Tucci is eating his way across Italy, and Eva Longoria is Searching Through Spain. This writer is somewhat surprised its taken so long for all these food-travel shows to spring up after the loss of Anthony Bourdain in 2018.
USA when?
No word yet on any networks in the USA picking up the global trotting foodie show. It feels weird in 2025 to have a region locked TV show!
Bonus Features on Patreon
In a new instagram post this morning, Billy & Dom announced that outtakes from the show that don’t make it to air will be posted at their new Patreon. The first preview has Ian Mckellen making some fun jokes with them. Patreon levels start at $7 per month and we know these guys will continue to entertain the fans there.
If, like myself, you’re a fan of the Classic Series of statues by our friends at Weta Workshop, then this latest release is sure to be something you’ll want to add to your collection.
The latest statue in this series available for pre-order is none other than Boromir himself. This amazing piece portrays Boromir in one of his most iconic moments in the films; when he finds the One Ring in the snow, and internally has to decide if he will give it back to Frodo. Like the other Classic Series statues this is an open edition, with a price tag of $399, and will be shipping to fans at the end of this year.
We were thrilled that our friends at Weta Workshop also sent us the stunning Coronation Arwen Classic Series to review. (You can watch the video review of the King Aragorn Classic Series statue here.) This is the version of Arwen we see at Aragorn’s crowning achievement at the end of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. This, in my view, is the best version of Arwen we’ve ever gotten; and I think is a must for any collection looking to have at least one of every character. The details, likeness, and paint are all really well done. Fans can add Arwen right now for $399 USD; and she also gets free shipping.
Our friends at Weta Workshop have sent us the amazing looking King Aragorn Classic Series statue to review here at TheOneRing.net. This version of Aragorn captures him as he takes the crown of Gondor, becoming King Elessar, at the end of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. For me it is without a doubt one of the best versions of this character we’ve gotten from Weta. The Classic Series is a fantastic series of statues that really highlight each character in classic poses, allowing the character to really shine. I would highly encourage anyone to get this right now – for the price of $399 USD with free shipping.
EXCLUSIVE – Pippin as a ruthless leader? Alfrid the woodland elf? Colour us intrigued!
Billy Boyd (LOTR) and Ryan Gage (The Hobbit) star in a new fantasy feature film called WARLORD. Gamers may recognize the rest of the cast too – Jennifer English is Shadowheart in Baldur’s Gate 3, and Aliona Baranova is in Cyberpunk 2077: The Phantom Liberty.
Director & actor Stuart Brennan jumped into our instagram comments this week to let fans know the movie trailer “will release in a few weeks time.”
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE First Look: Warlord Brings a Gritty Wood Elf Fantasy Thriller to Screens This May
London, UK – February 20, 2025 – The highly anticipated fantasy thriller Warlord is set to premiere on May 15, 2025, ahead of its global release on May 16th, 2025. Helmed by award-winning writer-director Stuart Brennan (Kingslayer, Assassin’s Guild), Warlord promises a dark and immersive journey into a mystical forest realm where war, rebellion, and power struggles unfold in uncompromising fashion.
Starring an ensemble cast led by Billy Boyd (The Lord of the Rings), along with Ryan Gage, known for his role as Alfrid in the The Hobbit; Warlord delivers a fresh take on medieval fantasy. With cinematography by Doug Milsome BSC, ASC (Full Metal Jacket, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves), the film boasts a striking visual aesthetic reminiscent of classic epic filmmaking.
Set in a world rife with injustice, Warlord follows a peaceful Wood Elf leader forced to take up arms against an oppressive Sheriff and his mercenaries. As rebellion stirs, alliances are tested, and the elves’ true motives come into question, setting the stage for a thrilling battle for justice and survival.
Director Stuart Brennan shares his vision: “I grew up inspired by stories like Robin Hood, and I wanted to craft a film that explores timeless struggles—oppression, resistance, and the cost of war. Warlord is an intense, character-driven journey that I feel is timely and dealing with themes that are current real world issues. Having been a big fan of Warhammer growing up, Wood Elves were always my army of choice and so getting a chance to bring wood elves into my universe has been particularly special.”
A first-look at the poster of the film has been released today with exclusive images of Billy Boyd as The Sheriff and Ryan Gage as The Brute. Brennan was very excited about the casting; “I love Lord of the Rings, so working with Billy was very cool. He’s incredibly detail orientated and a very prepared actor. He arrived on set excited to be playing a dark and richly complex character. We’d had a few video calls to talk through the part and once he was in costume, on location it was genuinely one of the highlights of my career being able to capture him bringing this role to life. It’s very different from anything he’s done before.”
This was the third movie he had got to work with Gage; “Ryan is a superb actor, he’s also very prepared, very specific and creative with his choices. He was one of the first people I sent the script and this character really jumped out at him. He’s a lot of fun in this movie, very dark, very wicked.”
Further details will be revealed in the coming weeks.
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