Main image via Variety + YouTube
It’s been 20 years since Lord of the Rings made its first debut on the big screen and since then, the franchise has had a strong and loyal following who still sing its praises all over the internet.
With a prequel series already in the works, the franchise has recently announced that a new movie is on the way, but this time, it will be animated instead.
via GIPHY
Without a doubt, LotR is one of the most popular series in the world. From movies to video games, the world that J.R.R. Tolkien created has so much to offer and we’re excited for more!
New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation announced their new collaboration to bring a Middle Earth anime to life in the form of a new movie called The Lord of the Rings: The War of Rohirrim.
The upcoming movie is said to be set in the same timeline as the legendary Peter Jackson’s movies but will be a prequel to the events that have occurred.
“Twenty years after delivering the award-winning The Lord of the Rings Trilogy, based on the iconic books by J.R.R. Tolkien, New Line Cinema has partnered with Warner Bros. Animation to produce an original anime feature directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama that will plunge fans into a legendary battle that helped shape Middle-earth and set the stage for the epic adventures brought to life in The Lord of the Rings film trilogy,” a statement shared.
via GIPHY
Set roughly 250 years before the events of LotR, The War of the Rohirrim will focus on the mighty King of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand, and the legendary battle which helped to shape the Middle-earth that we’ve come to know and love.
The anime movie is set to explore the untold story behind the fortress of Helm’s Deep, and dive into the “life and bloodsoaked” times of Hammerhand, Deadline reports.
“All of us at New Line feel a deep affinity for the extraordinary world J.R.R. Tolkien created, so the opportunity to dive back into Middle-earth with the team at Warner Bros. animation is a dream come true,” Carolyn Blackwood, the chief operating officer of Warner Bros. Pictures said.
“Fans know Helm’s Deep as the stage for one of the greatest battles ever put to film and, with many of the same creative visionaries involved and the brilliant Kenji Kamiyama at the helm, we couldn’t be more excited to deliver a fresh vision of its history that will invite global audeinces to experience the rich, complex saga of Middle-earth in a thrilling new way.”
Sam Register, president of Warner Bros. Animation echoed the sentiment saying: “This will be yet another epic portrayal of J.R.R. Tolkien’s world that has never been told before. We’re honoured to partner with much of the incredible talent behind both film trilogies, along with new creative luminaries to tell this story.”
No casting has been announced just yet and it is still unknown if Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh – who first brought the universe to life - would be involved in the project.
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As longtime LotR fans, we’re definitely excited about The War of the Rohirrim, especially in a new anime format!
We can’t wait to find out more about Middle-earth and Helm’s Deep!
Are you excited for The War of the Rohirrim? Do you think anime is the right route for the franchise to take? Share your thoughts with us!
Info via Comic Book