The Lord of the Rings franchise is set to make its anime debut later this year with The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, featuring its first female protagonist. This new anime film, premiering on December 13th, tells a story set nearly 200 years before the events of the original films.
The plot centers on a young woman named Hèra, voiced by Gaia Wise, who rejects a marriage proposal from Wulf (voiced by Luke Pasqualino), sparking a familial conflict that escalates into a full-blown war.
The story follows Helm Hammerhand, Hèra’s father (voiced by Brian Cox), and his struggle against Wulf’s father, Freca (voiced by Shaun Dooley). This conflict leads to the defense of Helm’s Deep, tying into the rich lore of J.R.R. Tolkien’s universe.
The film, running two hours and 30 minutes, is directed by Kenji Kamiyama and produced by New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation, with animation by Sola Entertainment.
The War of the Rohirrim, based on a small section from Tolkien’s appendices, expands on the character of Hèra, who was specifically named for this adaptation. Executive producers include Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh, Sam Register, Carolyn Blackwood, and Toby Emmerich.
The screenplay is crafted by Jeffrey Addiss, Will Matthews, Phoebe Gittins, and Arty Papageorgiou. As the release date approaches, fans can look forward to this fresh take on a classic tale, bringing new depth to the beloved Middle-earth saga.
