Warner Bros. Pictures, New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Animation have set an April 12th 2024 release date for the original anime feature “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim”.
Set two centuries before the events of J.R.R. Tolkien’s “The Hobbit” and “The Lord of the Rings,” the story explores the exploits of Helm Hammerhand, the King of Rohan, and the creation of Helm’s Deep.
“Blade Runner: Black Lotus” director Kenji Kamiyama and producer Joseph Chou will work in the same capacities here with anime studio Sola Entertainment handling the visuals. Work has been underway on the film since at least June last year.
Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote Peter Jackson’s trilogy, executive produces while her daughter Phoebe Gittins and writing partner Arty Papageorgiou are penning the screenplay based on a script from Jeffrey Addiss and Will Matthews.
Oscar-winning production alum from the ‘Rings’ trilogy like WETA’s Richard Taylor and art director Alan Lee are also involved along with Tolkien illustrator John Howe. The voice cast is expected to be revealed soon.
The news comes at a busy time for the franchise with Amazon premiering the first trailer for its big-budget series on Sunday, while Saul Zaentz Co. is reportedly putting its Tolkien rights holdings up for sale.
Source: Variety
