Warner Bros. Animation, New Line Cinema and Sola Entertainment previewed 20 minutes of its upcoming anime feature The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, receiving thunderous applause during the packed presentation on Tuesday at the Annecy Animation Festival.
New Vision Based on Classic Works
Director Kenji Kamiyama said he was inspired by not just J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, but by the films of Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, who were confirmed as exec producers of the movie during the session. Kamiyama elaborated, There is such power to the story
.
The new story is set nearly 200 years before Bilbo Baggins comes into contact with the ring of power, and centers on the House of Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan (voiced by Brian Cox), with a focus on his daughter, the strong-willed Princess Héra (voiced by Gaia Wise). In the clip, a dispute erupts during a council meeting, leaving Wulf, a ruthless Dunlending lord, seeking vengeance. Miranda Otto reprises her Lord of the Rings role as Éowyn, this time as the movie’s narrator.
The Star-Studded Cast and Creative Team
Assisted by a translator, Kamiyama shared his excitement about working on such a beloved franchise. He also gave nods to producers Philippa Boyens (who also co-wrote the story), Jason DeMarco and Joseph Chou. During this highly anticipated session, Andy Serkis engaged in conversation with them.
A New Journey Awaits Fans
DeMarco emphasized that with the stylish anime look, the filmmakers didn’t set out to make an animated Peter Jackson movie. Rather, they wanted to make a Kamiyama movie. The fans are going to go nuts for this
, enthused Serkis, who will reprise his role as Gollum in Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, which he will also direct.
All of us at New Line feel a deep affinity for the extraordinary world J.R.R. Tolkien created
, stated Carolyn Blackwood and Richard Brener. They also mentioned that fans know Helm’s Deep as the stage for one of the greatest battles ever put to film, expressing their excitement about delivering this fresh vision.
Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim opens in North America on Dec. 13 and internationally beginning Dec. 11.
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