Warner Bros. Animation, New Line Cinema, and Sola Entertainment have offered fans a tantalizing taste of their upcoming anime feature, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim. During the crowded presentation at the Annecy Animation Festival, the audience was treated to 20 minutes of footage, which was met with enthusiastic applause.
Director’s Inspiration from Tolkien’s Work
Director Kenji Kamiyama revealed that his inspiration not only stemmed from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings books, but also from Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh’s renowned films. Kamiyama emphasized, There is such power to the story
, during his presentation, assisted by a translator.
Setting up a Prequel to Middle-Earth
The narrative takes place nearly 200 years before Bilbo Baggins stumbles upon the One Ring. It centers on the House of Helm Hammerhand, specifically King Helm Hammerhand himself, voiced by Brian Cox. A significant focus is on his daughter, Princess Héra, portrayed by Gaia Wise. In a tense council meeting clip, a conflict escalates dramatically as Wulf, a vengeful Dunlending lord, seeks retribution.
For fans excited to see familiar faces, Miranda Otto returns as Éowyn but steps into the role of narrator this time around.
Philippa Boyens’ Passion for Anime
Among those present at the session was Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote the story and serves as a producer. Speaking to Entertainment Weekly, she explained her enthusiasm for the anime format: When they suggested anime, that’s when my brain really started whirring…
. Her vision clearly had an immediate impact on the direction of this ambitious project.
A Focus on Artistic Leadership
Jason DeMarco, one of the producers, was clear about their intentions: The filmmakers didn’t set out to make an animated Peter Jackson movie. Rather, they wanted to make a Kamiyama movie.
Anticipated Enthusiasm from Fans
Andy Serkis, known for his memorable portrayal of Gollum, praised the new venture: The fans are going to go nuts for this
. Aside from hyping up The War of the Rohirrim, he also teased an intriguing project under his direction—a performance-capture version of George Orwell’s Animal Farm.
A Stellar Team Behind the Scenes
The upcoming film represents a collaboration of respected professionals from various fields. Serving alongside Kamiyama are producers Boyens, Jason DeMarco (noted for his work on anime series), and Joseph Chou (known for Blade Runner: Black Lotus). This talented team demonstrates their collective passion through detailed storytelling and innovative animation techniques.
You are the first audience to see this
, Serkis mentioned eagerly before presenting the previewed footage. Such moments continue to build anticipation leading up to its release in North America on December 13th, with international showings beginning two days earlier on December 11th.
Follow Us
