7 Fascinating Connections Between The War of the Rohirrim and Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings

The Animated Prequel to Rohan's History

Warner Bros' upcoming Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will be set 180 years before Peter Jackson's trilogy, exploring the kingdom's conflict with the Dunlendings and following the tragic story of King Helm Hammerhand.

Riders of Rohan assembling in a line with spears in The Lord of the Rings.

Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy is considered the highest standard of Tolkien screen adaptations. The aesthetic, cast, and adherence to canon are all part of why these films are so beloved today, and this has made it difficult for other movies and series to gain the same kind of public acceptance.

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Revisiting Helm's Deep

In War of the Rohirrim, Helm's Deep will be a significant setting, directly explaining the namesake character and the statue seen in The Two Towers.

Viggo Mortenson overlooking Helm's Deep in the Two Towers

The stronghold was initially established by the Kingdom of Gondor and later gifted to the Rohirrim. Several significant battles with the Dunlendings occurred at Helm's Deep.

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Ancestral Connection

King Théoden's ancestor, Helm Hammerhand, will be a central character in The War of the Rohirrim, revealing a family trait of strength and determination.

Eowyn and Lord of the Rings War of the Rohirrim

This tragic king of Rohan was known to be so strong that he never used an actual weapon, instead killing his enemies with a single blow of his fist.

The characters of Lord of the Rings gather together to fight

Returning Narrator

Miranda Otto will reprise her role as Éowyn, who will serve as the film's narrator, connecting the prequel to Jackson's beloved films.

Miranda Otto as Eowyn in The Lord of the Rings.

This will be among the more exciting tie-ins with Jackson's beloved films and will serve to make this prequel feel like a cohesive addition to the Lord of the Rings trilogy.

A collage image of the War of the Rohirrim and Eowyn in Lord of the Rings

Creative Team

Illustrators Alan Lee and John Howe will be on the creative team for War of the Rohirrim, ensuring a seamless transition from Jackson's Middle-earth to the anime medium of the prequel film.

Lord of the Rings Peter Jackson Rivendell Valley Fellowship of the Ring

The news that Lee and Howe will be on the creative team for War of the Rohirrim is highly comforting, as so much of how modern audiences perceive Middle-earth comes down to the breathtaking designs of Jackson's Lord of the Rings movies.

arwen and aragorn in the forest lord of the rings (1)

Epic Battles and Enemies

The battles of War of the Rohirrim will share much in common with those seen in Jackson's Lord of the Rings, featuring the same enemies and settings.

Bilbo And Gandalf In THe Shire (2)

Rohan will have many of the same enemies in War of the Rohirrim as in Jackson's Lord of the Rings, including the Easterlings, Corsairs of Umbar, and the Dunlendings.

Lord Of The Rings Most Powerful Races Ranked Easterlings (1)

Influence of Sauron

Even 183 years before the events of Jackson's Lord of the Rings trilogy, the characters of War of the Rohirrim will be able to feel the foreboding evil of what is to come, referencing Sauron's growing influence.

Sauron in his armored physical form during The Lord of the Rings: The Fellowship of the Ring's prologue.

Sauron's evil influence will have an effect on Rohan, with the very nature of his evil leading to corruption and war.

The Eye of Sauron from The Lord of the Rings