The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is an upcoming anime film that delves into the untold story of Helm Hammerhand, the legendary King of Rohan, in an epic tale that revolves around his daughter, Princess Hera, and her struggle against a formidable new enemy. Set 183 years before the events of the Peter Jackson trilogy, the film explores the life and struggles of Helm’s Deep, a fabled fortress named in his honor, as well as the origins of the kingdom. The story is centered around the strong women in Tolkien’s world, including Hera and Éowyn, played by Miranda Otto, who play crucial roles in the resistance.
Directed by Kenji Kamiyama, the film blends Japanese storytelling with the beloved fantasy series, highlighting the determination and bravery of its female characters. Kamiyama believes that the project will appeal to fans of the original books and the action-packed animation. The film’s script was written by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, based on a story by Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews, with Philippa Boyens, the writer of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, serving as a consultant.
A Still From The Lord of the Rings The War of the Rohirrim (Photo: The Lord of the Rings )
The cast features an impressive lineup, including Brian Cox, Luke Pasqualino, and others, with a runtime of 130 minutes. Philippa Boyens praised the film, stating that it is “character-driven and contained within its own world, two things that work beautifully with Japanese storytelling, and there’s no better storyteller in this medium than Kenji Kamiyama.” The animation is expected to be stunning, with Kamiyama directing the film and voicing Helm Hammerhand himself.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim promises to be a thrilling animated adventure within the Tolkien universe, exploring the untold story behind Helm’s Deep, hundreds of years before the fateful war. The film’s release date is set for December 13, 2024, and is sure to charm fans of the original series and newcomers alike.
