Warner Bros. has unveiled the trailer for the highly anticipated anime film, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, set to hit theaters on December 13. Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, this anime feature serves as a prequel to the beloved The Lord of the Rings trilogy, taking place 261 years prior to the events of The Fellowship of the Ring.
The film centers on Helm Hammerhand, a legendary figure from J.R.R. Tolkien’s appendices. Brian Cox voices the iconic King of Rohan, while Miranda Otto reprises her role as Éowyn from Peter Jackson’s film adaptations. The plot delves into Helm’s battle against the Dunlendings and the origins of Helm’s Deep, adding depth to Tolkien’s richly woven Middle-earth.
Additional cast members include Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, Laurence Ubong Williams, and Shaune Dooley. The film’s script is crafted by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou handling the screenplay. Warner Bros. Animation, New Line Cinema, and Sola Entertainment are collaborating on the project, with Warner Bros. distributing. Joseph Chou of Sola Entertainment produces, and Phillippa Boyens, known for co-writing Jackson’s film trilogy, serves as an executive producer. The creative team features contributions from original LOTR trilogy veterans Richard Taylor, Alan Lee, and Tolkien illustrator John Howe.
Kenji Kamiyama, acclaimed for his work on Blade Runner: Black Lotus and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, directs the film, promising a unique addition to Tolkien’s universe.
Meanwhile, Prime Video’s The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is preparing for its second season, though it remains separate from this animated prequel.
With its mix of new and familiar faces, The War of the Rohirrim promises to be a captivating exploration of Middle-earth’s storied past.