Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim

While the release of Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim is still a ways away, there’s plenty of information regarding the cast, story, and production that’s already known. Though J.R.R. Tolkien is predominantly known for The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, his Middle-earth mythology runs much deeper, reading something like a history book but with dragons, orcs, and dangerous jewelry. Though Amazon’s The Rings of Power is enjoying more column inches in the Lord of the Rings prequel stakes, another pre-Bilbo project is currently in development – New Line Cinema’s animated War of the Rohirrim.

New Line is the Warner-owned production studio behind Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Warner hasn’t released a Middle-earth movie since The Battle of Five Armies in 2014. Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim represents a stark departure from the Tolkien fare mainstream audiences are familiar with, but given New Line’s success previously, there’s still plenty of buzz around the upcoming animation. Although Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim is still a while away from its release, new details are beginning to emerge about the animated prequel film, gearing up plenty of anticipation for the next foray into Tolkien’s universe.

Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Latest News

The latest Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim news is that the film will get an early first look at France’s Annecy Film Festival in June 2023 before receiving its April 2024 theatrical release. This was confirmed by producer Jason DeMarco via Twitter, along with the fact that a panel will be held at the festival to discuss the making of the movie. The Annecy Film Festival will occur from June 11th to June 17th, 2023. Hopefully, more details about War of the Rohirrim will hit the news shortly after its showing, providing audiences with more behind-the-scenes information, art from the film, and possibly even a teaser.

Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Confirmed

New Line Cinema announced during celebrations of the 20th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring that it was their intention to fast-track production on an animated Lord of the Rings prequel movie that was announced to be Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. This occurred in June 2021, with Kenji Kamiyama and Joseph Chou attached to direct and Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews penning the screenplay. Kamiyama eventually became the one in the director’s chair, and the official screenplay ended up being written by Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, based on Addiss and Matthews’ original story.

Lord of the Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Release Date

Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim is now confirmed for an April 12, 2024 release. New Line’s initial announcement came in June 2021, and production on this Middle-earth anime is currently underway. SOLA Digital Arts (Blade Runner: Black Lotus) provides the animation, and illustrators Alan Lee and John Howe, who worked on the original trilogy, are part of the creative team. Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim will receive a theatrical release, and it’s unknown at what point the film will then move to streaming or what service it will be available on.

Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Cast

Most of the Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim cast has been announced. The major players have all been cast, but nearly everyone else is in undisclosed roles. Coming fresh out of Succession‘s success, Brian Cox leads the voice cast as Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan. In addition, Miranda Otto will be reprising her titular Rings of Power role and is voicing the part of Éowyn. Gaia Wise (Silent Witness), daughter of Emma Thompson and Greg Wise, will play Helm’s daughter Hera in the movie. Luke Pasqualino (Skins) plays Wulf, the antagonistic leader of the Dunlendings in Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim.

Laurence Ubong Williams (My Dinner with Herve) takes on the part of Fréaláf Hildeson, Helm’s nephew and successor. Finally, Shaun Dooley (Coronation Street) plays Freca, Wulf’s father whose death Wulf is seeking to avenge. Several other cast members have been announced for Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim, however, they’re all in undisclosed roles as of now. These cast members include Benjamin Wainwright (Gangs of London), Michael Wildman (Emmerdale), Jude Akuwudike (The Little Mermaid), Bilal Hasna (Extraordinary), and Janine Duvitski (About a Boy).

Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Story Details

Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim will tell the story of Helm Hammerhand, who was crowned King of Rohan in 2741. Hammerhand presided over Rohan when the realm was warring against local Dunlendings – wild mortal men who later support Saruman during The Lord of the Rings. The Dunlendings’ King Freca demanded his son, Wulf, be wed to Helm’s daughter. Not taking well to threats, Helm killed King Freca with his bare fists, triggering a war between clans.

In Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim, Helm’s forces retreated into the fortress that would later be dubbed Helm’s Deep in the king’s honor – the very same Helm’s Deep that famously provides the setting for The Two Towers‘ epic final battle. Hammerhand died during the siege, but his people ultimately survived because their ferocious king would assault the enemy, stealing food as Middle-earth’s Long Winter settled in. King Hammerhand’s nephew and successor, King Fréaláf, eventually repelled the Dunlending forces.

Concept art released in February 2022 shows Rohan’s capital of Edoras being assailed by an army containing Mûmakil (the Oliphaunts Samwise Gamgee is entranced by in Lord of the Rings). Edoras was invaded by King Wulf’s Dunlending forces while Helm Hammerhand was still stuck at Helm’s Deep, which is what audiences are seeing above. Edoras and the Mûmakil both strongly resemble their counterparts in Peter Jackson’s rewatchable Lord of the Rings trilogy, and that’s because War of the Rohirrim exists within Jackson’s continuity, despite being animated instead of live-action and bearing none of his involvement.

How Long Before Lord Of The Rings Is War Of The Rohirrim Set?

Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim is set around 2758 of the Third Age, whereas The Lord of the Rings begins in 3018, putting 250 years between the upcoming anime and Peter Jackson’s iconic trilogy. Sauron is still recovering within Dol Guldur and hasn’t yet declared himself openly, even though the Dark Lord’s influence can still be felt throughout Middle-earth. Many of the Fellowship haven’t been born yet, but characters around during this era include Gandalf, Galadriel, Elrond, Legolas, and Saruman. Don’t necessarily expect any of those Lord of the Rings favorites to appear in War of the Rohirrim, mind.

Lord Of The Rings: War Of The Rohirrim Trailer

Unfortunately, there is no Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim trailer yet. However, the news that audiences are getting a first look at the movie at the Annecy Film Festival could bode well. It’s possible that after the first look a teaser could be dropped so that audiences will get a glimpse of Brian Cox’s animated hero. Concept art for War of the Rohirrim was released early on, meaning studios seem eager to keep anticipation high. If a teaser isn’t released after the Annecy Film Festival, expect a Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim trailer in late 2023 or early 2024.