‘LOTR: The War of the Rohirrim’ Teaser Trailer Brings Anime Action to Middle-earth

Fans of the Lord of the Rings can get ready to experience one of JRR Tolkien’s stories in the form of a Japanese animated film. Warner Bros. released a trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim on Thursday, offering a glimpse at what the action-packed film will look like on the big screen.

The trailer teases the infamous battle in Middle-earth over the mighty kingdom of Rohan, a bloodthirsty quest for vengeance and mythical creatures set 183 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings trilogy. Peace — and victory — for King Helm’s people may rest on the shoulders of his daughter. Can she lead the way to save them from a deadly siege?

The prequel was first announced three years ago and is directed by Kenji Kamiyama. The prequel will focus on Helm Hammerhand, the last king in the first line of Rohan. Helm is known for his strength and somewhat somber demeanor. Helm’s story is one of grief, death, resurrection, and a ring of power. Brian Cox will voice the king, while the cast also includes Gaia Wise as Héra, Helm’s daughter, Luke Pasqualino as Wulf, and Miranda Otto as Éowyn, her role in the films.

While this isn’t the first time Tolkien’s books have been adapted into animated releases, it does mark the first anime adaptation of a LOTR story. Kamiyama is well-versed in the style, having worked on Ghost in the Shell, Star Wars: Visions, Blade Runner: Black Lotus, and Akira. Peter Jackson is serving as an executive producer on War of the Rohirrim, a film created in partnership between Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema. The anime is scheduled to hit theaters on December 13.