First Look at The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim unveiled

Acclaimed Japanese director and animator Kenji Kamiyama debuted his upcoming anime film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim at the Annecy International Animation Film Festival on Tuesday. Alongside actor Andy Serkis, Kamiyama presented a preview of the film at the festival.

The 20-minute excerpt received a highly positive reaction from the animation enthusiasts in attendance. Serkis, known for his portrayal of Gollum in Peter Jackson's The Lord of the Rings films and The Hobbit, is not a direct part of the production. However, he travelled to Annecy to unveil the footage and lead a discussion following the screening.

"You are the first audience to see this," Serkis remarked before the presentation.

Produced by Warner Bros Animation and New Line Cinema, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim focuses on a previously unexplored chapter in JRR Tolkien's original creation. The film delves into the war between Rohan and the Dunlendings, centering on the story of Hèra, the sole surviving daughter of King Helm Hammerhand. Hèra, voiced by actress Gaia Wise, marks the first time a female character leads a Lord of the Rings adaptation.

Joining Kamiyama and Serkis on stage were producers Philippa Boyens (The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies) and Joseph Chou (Blade Runner: Black Lotus), as well as Warner Bros executive Jason Demarco.

Kamiyama, whose earlier animation credits include the series Blade Runner: Black Lotus, expressed his admiration for Tolkien's work, as well as Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh's films. In a surprising reveal, Boyens announced that Walsh and Jackson serve as executive producers on the project. While Walsh and Jackson were not physically present, the latter addressed the audience and discussed the project through a video message played at the event's beginning.

Presently in production at Sola Entertainment in Tokyo, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is slated for a theatrical release by Warner Bros on December 13, 2024.