The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim – Anime Prequel Release date, Trailer, & more

Get ready to return to the breathtaking world of Middle-earth with The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim! This animated film marks a thrilling new chapter in the beloved franchise, taking audiences back to the epic saga created by J.R.R. Tolkien. 

Set 183 years before the events of the original trilogy, the film explores the legendary tale of Helm Hammerhand, the noble King of Rohan, as he faces a fierce conflict against the Dunlendings, led by the vengeful Wulf. 

As fans of Peter Jackson’s award-winning trilogy know, the journey through Middle-earth has captivated hearts for decades. Following the success of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies, The War of the Rohirrim offers a fresh perspective, exploring unexplored territories of Tolkien’s rich mythology.

Recently, excitement reached new heights with the release of the film's official trailer, which gave fans a glimpse into the stunning animation and captivating storyline. 

Prepare for an unforgettable journey as we dive into everything you need to know about The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, from plot details to character insights. Stay tuned as we’ll continue to bring you the latest updates and information about this epic addition to the Middle-earth saga!

Release date & Where to Watch

The film will be released in domestic theaters on Friday, Dec. 13, 2024, and internationally on Wednesday, Dec. 11, 2024. 

Plot

Set 183 years before The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim explores the fate of Helm Hammerhand, the ninth king of Rohan, and the origins of the iconic fortress, Helm's Deep. The film follows a brutal conflict ignited by Wulf, a vengeful Dunlending lord seeking retribution for his father Freca's death at Helm's hands. As Wulf rallies his forces to attack Rohan, Helm and his people make a desperate last stand in Hornburg.

Helm’s daughter, Héra (voiced by Gaia Wise), must summon the strength to lead her people against their deadly enemy. The narrative is enriched by the inclusion of Éowyn, voiced by Miranda Otto, who serves as the film's narrator. Producer Philippa Boyens noted that the filmmakers were intrigued by the story of Héra, who, though unnamed in Tolkien's appendices, played a central role in the events surrounding her father's legacy.

Under Kenji Kamiyama's direction, the film promises a stylish anime aesthetic that diverges from the traditional Peter Jackson style. While it draws from J.R.R. Tolkien's appendices to flesh out the backstory of Rohan and its characters, the film aims to delve deeper into Héra's character than Tolkien did. 

The story will explore Helm's struggles against the Dunlendings, his enduring legacy, and Héra's journey to lead her people in their darkest hour. The exact liberties taken with the plot remain to be seen, but the film is set to reveal the legendary events that shaped Rohirrim's history.

This film, presented in a Japanese anime style, is the first animated adaptation of Tolkien's Middle-earth saga since Ralph Bakshi's 1978 film. Producer Philippa Boyens emphasized that the story is "not about the Ring, it’s not about the Dark Lord," as those elements are peripheral to the plot.

Voice Cast

• Brian Cox (Succession) as Helm Hammerhand
• Gaia Wise (A Walk in the Woods) as Héra
• Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer) as Wulf
• Miranda Otto as Éowyn/Narrator
• Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton)
• Yazdan Qafouri (I Came By)
• Benjamin Wainwright (World on Fire)
• Laurence Ubong Williams (Gateway) as Fréaláf Hildeson
• Shaun Dooley (The Witcher) as Freca
• Michael Wildman (Fast and Furious Presents: Hobbs & Shaw)
• Jude Akuwudike (Beasts of No Nation)
• Bilal Hasna (Sparks)
• Janine Duvitski (Benidorm)
• Alex Jordan

Who is the Villain in The War of the Rohirrim?

The War of the Rohirrim presents a unique conflict focused on man versus man, without a Dark Lord overseeing the battle. The central "villain" is Wulf (Luke Pasqualino), a Dunland noble seeking revenge for his father's death at the hands of Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox). Initially, Wulf's father, Freca (Shaun Dooley), attempts to arrange a marriage between Hèra and Wulf, but when Helm refuses and kills Freca in a fight, Wulf declares war on Rohan. Unlike traditional villains, Wulf is portrayed as a sympathetic character, driven by grief rather than malice. 

The story will explore themes of humanity and love, as Hèra may need to appeal to Wulf's better nature to protect her homeland. The film will also feature Helm's Deep, revealing the origins of its name.

Official Trailer

The trailer reveals the film's plot, focusing on a violent conflict between Rohan and the Dunlendings. After an arranged marriage between Helm's daughter Hèra (Gaia Wise) and Dunland prince Wulf (Luke Pasqualino) falls apart, leading to the death of Wulf's father Freca (Shaun Dooley), Wulf declares war on Rohan. As Helm unites his kingdom, Hèra emerges as the unlikely hope for Rohan's survival.

Will Familiar Characters from The Lord of the Rings make an Appearance?

The timeline of The War of the Rohirrim presents challenges for familiar characters from The Lord of the Rings trilogy to appear, as it takes place before Aragorn and Frodo's era. While elven characters like Legolas, Elrond, and Galadriel are alive, they have little reason to engage in the affairs of men at this time. Otto’s Éowyn may be the only recognizable character from the trilogy.

However, there’s potential for cameos, particularly from the wizards. Gandalf, played by Ian McKellen, might be involved, given his role in roaming Middle-earth to combat rising evils. While McKellen has expressed hesitance about reprising Gandalf in live-action due to his age, animation could allow for his return, enriching the context of his relationship with the Rohirrim.

There’s also room for Saruman, who established residence in Isengard after the Rohirrim and Dunlendings conflict. Though Christopher Lee, who portrayed Saruman, passed away in 2015, the role could be recast, potentially with voice actor Corey Burton, offering a glimpse of Saruman before his corruption.

Behind the Scenes

Directed by award-winning filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell and Blade Runner: Black Lotus), this original feature is produced by Oscar winner Philippa Boyens, part of the acclaimed screenwriting team behind The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. 

The screenplay is by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, based on a story by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews. Executive producers include Fran Walsh, Peter Jackson, Sam Register, Carolyn Blackwood, and Toby Emmerich. The creative team also features Oscar winners Alan Lee and Richard Taylor, alongside renowned Tolkien illustrator John Howe. Kamiyama, who has previously collaborated with Warner Bros. on the Blade Runner anime series, brings his extensive anime experience to this project.