This article is sponsored by Universal Pictures

It may have been 10 years since the world of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth last graced the silver screen, but this December will see a new tale of heroism and adventure ride into cinemas. Set 183 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy, The War of the Rohirrim is a new animated feature that will bring audiences back to the time of the legendary King of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand, voiced by Succession’s Brian Cox.

Directed by award-winning anime filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama (Blade Runner: Black Lotus, Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex) and produced by original Lord of the Rings screenwriter Philippa Boyens, The War of the Rohirrim promises an action-packed return to the visionary world that was first explored in Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Ahead of the movie’s December 12 release date, we thought it might be time to look at what to expect from Kamiyama’s journey into the land of the Riddermark.

The War of the Rohirrim Directly Connects With The Peter Jackson Movies

While modern-day audiences are certainly not lacking in new Lord of the Rings content, this latest film finds itself set directly within the same world first established by legendary New Zealand filmmaker Peter Jackson. Not only are Jackson and his partner Fran Walsh serving as executive producers on this new movie, it was also co-written and produced by their frequent collaborator Philippa Boyens.

Further cementing The War of the Rohirrim’s connection with Jackson’s movies is the return of Supanova Supa-Star favourite Miranda Otto as the voice of Éowyn, the valiant shieldmaiden of Rohan. Serving as the movie’s narrator, Otto’s character will guide audiences back to a time when her own kin battled with Wildmen of Dunland and fought for their own survival.

Miranda Otto at Supanova 2024 – Adelaide. Photo by James Somerville

Speaking on her experience in the recording booth in comparison to the original live-action trilogy, Miranda revealed to Supa-Fans in Adelaide that she hadn’t done much animation work prior to the new film.

“It was such a great idea to be able to revisit the character but in a completely different way because this is a Japanese animation, and I was really taken by that.

“It was quite an extraordinary experience to go and revisit a character 20 years later that you played, and try to re-find the voice and the accent, and it was a real privilege to go back to Middle-earth.

“It was really emotional to go back to Eowyn and Middle-earth, and Wellington and Park Road Studios, and work with people again that I worked with when we were making the movies, it was a really special experience.”

Expect A Visit From A Familiar White Wizard

More recent announcements have revealed that Otto will not be the only Lord of the Rings alum lending their vocal talents to The War of the Rohirrim, and audiences should also expect to hear the commanding voice of the late, great Christopher Lee. Much as Grima Wormtongue explained in The Two Towers, Saruman the White has long been a (somewhat dubious) friend and ally to the people of Rohan, and his influence will also be felt in this new tale.

Making use of alternate lines that Lee had originally recorded for The Hobbit trilogy, producers directly sought the permission from his estate to provide the late cinematic legend with one last performance.

Viewers Will Meet Another Legendary Shieldmaiden of Rohan

While viewers may already recognise the name of Helm Hammerhand, the King who lent his name to the ancient stronghold to which King Théoden led his people The Two Towers, War of the Rohirrim will also introduce another valiant figure from Rohan’s past.

Nearly two centuries before Éowyn defied her King’s orders and rode into battle at Pelennor Fields, Helm’s own daughter showed equal courage and determination in saving her people. When Helm’s notorious temper sees him kill the Dunlending King for attempting to usurp his throne, his young heir launches a vicious and unexpected revenge attack that threatens to annihilate every man, woman, and child in the lands of the Riddermark.

With the people of Rohan forced to seek refuge in the ancient fortress of the Hornburg, the iconic locale that would later come to be known as Helm’s Deep, the young princess Héra must summon the strength to lead her people in a desperate battle for their own survival.

Voiced by Gaia Wise, daughter of screen legend Emma Thompson, Héra will show that strength of will, and fierce determination, runs strong in the blood of the Rohirrim. Possessed of the same inner fire that saw Éowyn face down Sauron’s most feared servant in The Return of the King, the daughter of Helm Hammerhand is bound to become another fan favourite – and Miranda Otto herself agrees!

While she’s yet to see the finished film, the Supa-Star shared with her Adelaidean audience that “there’s another strong young female character in the film, and I think that people will really enjoy seeing that.”

The War of the Rohirrim Honours The Earliest Tolkien Adaptations

Long before Peter Jackson set his sights on Middle-earth, countless filmmakers had their own plans for bringing The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit to life. Yet in a time where many thought a live-action rendition of Tolkien’s world next to impossible, animators of all stripes would seek to adapt his works with varying degrees of success.

Even Walt Disney would set his sights on making an animated version of The Hobbit as far back as 1930s, and a Lord of the Rings movie in the 1950s, but it wasn’t until Gene Deitch’s 1967 animated short that Middle-earth first appeared on screen. It would, however, be Rankin/Bass’ 1977 animated version of The Hobbit that is more widely regarded as the first proper adaptation of Tolkien’s works. One year later, Ralph Bakshi would release his animated movie based on the first half of the Lord of the Rings books (curiously enough, another November Supa-Star, Anthony Daniels of Star Wars fame, also provided the voice of Legolas).

Now, years later the road to Middle-earth has come full circle, and The War of the Rohirrim will once again see Tolkien’s expansive fantasy world return in animated form. Not only will audiences be treated to the richly detailed visuals masterminded by award-winning animator Kenji Kamiyama, but this latest film will also benefit from the input of renowned Tolkien artists Alan Lee and John Howe, and Weta Workshop founder Richard Taylor.

Set to arrive in Australian cinemas on December 12, this holiday season will be the time to ride for wrath, and for ruin, and the red dawn! Tickets to advanced screenings in Sydney, Brisbane, and Melbourne are also available to win for a limited time*, so what are you waiting for? Forth Eorlingas!

_{*Competition closes 11:59pm AEST on Sunday, 1 December 2024, Terms and Conditions apply. Visit the Supanova competition page for more information.}