Meet Princess Héra: New Lord of the Rings Anime Debuts Thrilling Footage

On Tuesday, a packed audience at the Annecy Animation Festival witnessed a thrilling 20-minute preview of Warner Bros. Animation, New Line Cinema, and Sola Entertainment’s highly anticipated anime film, “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.” Director Kenji Kamiyama drew inspiration from J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeless classics and Peter Jackson’s iconic film adaptations, which are executive produced by Jackson and Fran Walsh.

Set in the richly detailed world of Middle-earth, nearly two centuries before Bilbo Baggins’ fateful encounter with the One Ring, the story revolves around the courageous King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan and his determined daughter, Princess Héra.

The preview clip showcased a tense council meeting erupting into conflict, triggering a relentless pursuit by the ruthless Dunlending lord, Wulf. Academy Award-winning actress Miranda Otto returns as the narrator, reprising her role as Éowyn.

Kamiyama, known for his acclaimed work on “Blade Runner: Black Lotus” and “Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex,” expressed his deep admiration for the story’s enduring power.

Joining him were producers Philippa Boyens, Jason DeMarco, and Joseph Chou, along with Andy Serkis, who will reprise his iconic role as Gollum in the upcoming “Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.”

Serkis enthusiastically praised the anime film, predicting a fervent response from fans worldwide. “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” is slated to hit theaters in North America on December 13 and internationally beginning December 11.