The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim

'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim', which had its debut at the Annecy International Animation Festival, held between June 4 and 15, 2024, is an anime directed by Kenji Kamiyama, set approximately180 years before the events of the first trilogyby Peter Jackson. The film has Jackson himself as executive producer, along with Fran Walsh, the screenwriter of the three installments, also leading the project.

The prequel focuses on the exploits of Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan, and the creation of Helm's Deep, the fortress that appears in 'The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers'. Brian Cox ('Succession') lends his voice to this character, while Miranda Otto will be Eowyn, whom she already played in live action in 'The Lord of the Rings'.

Although the true protagonist of the anime is Helm's daughter , she has become the first female character to lead an adaptation of the Tolkien universe. And, although in the original book she did not have her own name, in the New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Discovery film she is introduced as Hèra, voiced by Gaia Wise ('A Walk in the Woods').

Along with the young woman, we will also see Wulf, voiced by Luke Pasqualino ('Skins'), playing the main antagonist of the film. The leader of the Dunlending armies, enemies of the kingdom of Rohan, "is not an evil wizard or a dark lord like the most famous villains of 'The Lord of the Rings'. He is simply human and, in a way, that makes him even more dangerous," explained producer Philippa Boyens, who was part of the team of screenwriters who won the Oscar for best adapted screenplay for 'The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King'.

'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' will hit theaters on December 13.