The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim - A New Perspective on Tolkien's Character
A look at the upcoming film and its impact on the beloved fantasy franchise.
Expanding the World of The Lord of the Rings
A new movie in The Lord of the Rings will be released in 2024, and it will definitely change how you see this Tolkien character. The world of The Lord of the Rings has been fleshed out immensely throughout the history of the multimedia franchise, and the fantasy train is far from stopping. The upcoming film The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is set to give even more backstory to the world of The Lord of the Rings, with it changing how viewers will see this character.
Theoden riding his horse with his sword from The Lord of the Rings.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is an immensely exciting new entry in the beloved fantasy franchise, with it being the first feature-length film since the conclusion of The Hobbit prequel trilogy. Unlike its predecessors, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is actually an animated film, with it being set around 250 years before the events of the live-action trilogy. The film will explore a corner of The Lord of the Rings universe that the films haven't touched yet, shining a spotlight on an extremely deserving character.
Riders of Rohan assembling in a line with spears in The Lord of the Rings.
War Of The Rohirrim Will Do For Rohan What LOTR Did For Gondor. One of the most exciting parts of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is that it will do for Rohan what Lord of the Rings did for Gondor. One of the most important arcs in The Lord of the Rings has to do with Aragorn becoming the king of Gondor, with this change concluding his character arc. The Lord of the Rings movies explore the story of the former king of Gondor Isildur early in the trilogy, with this setting the stage for why Aaragorn's time as king is so important.
Theodin from Lord of the Rings
The Impact on Théoden's Story
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will pull off a similar trick to Isildur's story, except this time for a different character: Helm Hammerhand. Helm Hammerhand is the main character of The War of the Rohirrim, with him being the king of Rohan at the time of the story. This will parallel Th\u00e9oden's story in the main The Lord of the Rings trilogy, showing what the position was like before he took the throne.
Bernard Hill as King Theoden standing with two soldiers in the rain in The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers
On top of recontextualizing Th\u00e9oden's story, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will also do a major service to the franchise by bringing him closer to Tolkien's books. During his time in the live-action movies, Th\u00e9oden is under the control of one of The Lord of the Rings' most powerful magic users, Wormtongue. Because of this, Th\u00e9oden wasn't shown to his full potential as he was in Tolkien's books.
Wormtongue advises a possessed Theoden in The Two Towers
In the books, Th\u00e9oden is much more regal than he is presented as in the movies. While he probably won't appear in The War of the Rohirrim due to its setting, it will explore the ancestry of the king of Rohan. This means that his backstory can be expanded on even further, bringing him closer to his original vision in The Lord of the Rings.
A Deeper Look into the Franchise
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is not just an exciting addition to the franchise; it is an opportunity to delve deeper into the rich lore and history of Middle-earth. By focusing on Helm Hammerhand and the kingdom of Rohan, the film will shed light on a corner of the world that has been largely unexplored in the films. This expansion of the lore will not only enrich the existing narrative but also provide fans with a new perspective on the characters and events that have shaped the history of Middle-earth.
Furthermore, the animated format of The War of the Rohirrim offers a unique visual experience that is distinct from the live-action films. This artistic choice allows for creative storytelling and world-building, opening up new possibilities for the depiction of the fantastical elements of The Lord of the Rings universe. As the franchise continues to evolve and expand, the upcoming film promises to captivate audiences with its immersive storytelling and stunning animation, inviting viewers to rediscover the magic of Middle-earth in a fresh and compelling way.
