The Big Picture

• The first-ever animated film set in The Lord of the Rings universe will headline the Annecy International Animation Film Festival.
• The War of the Rohirrim focuses on Helm's Deep and the early days of the Riders of Rohan.
• The film features a stellar team including Brian Cox, reprising his role as Helm Hammerhand, and Miranda Otto as Eowyn.

Light the beacons, for the first look at The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is nearly upon us. Warner Bros. Discovery has announced that the company's first-ever animated film to be set in The Lord of the Rings universe will be head-lining the upcoming Annecy International Animation Film Festival. The studio has also announced other anticipated projects for its presentation slate, including The Day the Earth Blew Up: A Looney Tunes Movie, Creature Commandos, and the reboot of The Amazing World of Gumball.

In addition to the promise of the world-premiere footage, the "Filmmaker Conversation and Exclusive Extended Look" panel for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim also features a stellar team of panelist. Set to appear at the Annecy International Film Festival are The Lord of the Rings trilogy screenwriter Philippa Boyens, Star Wars: Vision director Kenji Kamiyama, and Blade Runner: Black Lotus producer Joseph Chou. The panel will also feature an appearance from legendary motion capture performer and the "precious" face behind Gollum, Andy Serkis. Serkis' appearance is more than fitting given how he was recently announced to be directing in a new live-action Lord of the Rings spin-off, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.

What Is 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim' About?

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim takes place several hundred years before the main events of the Lord of the Rings trilogy. Instead of focusing on the power of the One Ring or the origins of Sauron, The War of the Rohirrim promises to tell the ancient tales of Helm's Deep - the massive fortress seen in the finale of The Lord of the Rings: The Two Towers. Predictably, the show also follows the early days of the Riders of Rohan as well as their king, Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox).

The role of the new old king, Helm Hammerhand will be voiced by Brian Cox, the star of the smash-hit drama series Succession. Cox certainly has a big crown to fill as he'll be following the fan-favorite character of King Theoden from the original The Lord of the Rings trilogy, played expertly by the late-great Bernard Hill. Speaking of original cast members from Peter Jackson's trilogy, one of the most exciting developments is the reveal that Miranda Otto will be reprising her role as Theoden's daughter and the slayer of The Witch King, Eowyn. Given that the film is a prequel, Otto will likely be providing narration and/or starring in flash-forwards.

Watch on Prime Video