A new animated film set in J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth universe is coming to theaters in 2024. The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim gives viewers a glimpse at a pivotal time period leading up to the events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy.
The film tells the story of Helm Hammerhand, a legendary king of Rohan. As ruler around 183 years before The Fellowship of the Ring, Helm faced a great threat to his people. The movie centers on this conflict and will show Helm’s leadership against darkness growing in Middle-earth. Actor Brian Cox lends his voice to Helm in the English version.
Japanese filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama directs the anime-style movie. He is known for his work on the acclaimed Ghost in the Shell TV series. Screenwriters Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou expanded the tale, which was originally a brief passage in Tolkien’s appendices.
The first trailer debuted images of Helm alongside new character Héra, his daughter. Writers drew inspiration from historical figures like Æthelflæd, the queen of Anglo-Saxon Mercia, to develop Héra’s role in the events. Miranda Otto reprises her role as Éowyn by narrating the story as the film’s framing device.
While main antagonist Sauron may not have a major on-screen part, his rise in power serves as a looming threat during this era. One scene shows an orc asking “What does Mordor want with rings?”, hinting at the One Ring’s history. Veteran actors also lend voices to characters like Haleth and Hama, Helm’s sons.
Initial reactions praise the anime style’s ability to portray Tolkien’s rich mythology at an epic scale. Viewers will experience a new perspective on Middle-earth when The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim releases in theaters on December 13, 2024.
