Discover ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ with director Kenji Kamiyama in a thrilling behind-the-scenes featurette

THE epic return to Middle-earth, brought to life by visionary director Kenji Kamiyama, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim comes exclusively to cinemas on December 11.

In an exciting new featurette, director Kenji Kamiyama takes fans behind the scenes of the highly anticipated anime film, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.

“By delving into the past and maintaining that connection, I believed we could add depth to the film,” says director Kenji Kamiyama about the highly anticipated original anime feature “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” in a newly released featurette about the film. “This approach also allowed new stories to emerge.”

The film explores the untold saga of the legendary King Helm Hammerhand of Rohan, voiced by acclaimed actor Brian Cox (Succession). Facing a relentless siege by Wulf, a cunning and vengeful Dunlending lord brought to life by Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer), Helm and his people make their final stand at the fortress of the Hornburg—later known as Helm’s Deep. The story also introduces Helm’s daughter, Héra (Gaia Wise), a resilient young leader who rises to protect her people against overwhelming odds.

As an esteemed anime filmmaker known for works like Blade Runner: Black Lotus and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex, Kamiyama believes anime is uniquely suited to Tolkien’s world. “When you are entering into the world of animation, you have a certain agreement with the audience that it is make-believe,” he shares. “It’s a fantastic medium to depict fantasy and science fiction, where the world itself is already imagined.”

Actress Gaia Wise, who voices Héra, reflects on the timeless appeal of The Lord of the Rings. “These stories are about human nature, kindness, love, and resilience—things that speak to our souls,” she says. Wise, a lifelong fan of Tolkien, believes his stories resonate with every generation. “The world he created is so dramatic, beautiful, and heartfelt, and I think it will always captivate people.”

Narrated by Miranda Otto (The Lord of the Rings trilogy) as Éowyn, the Shieldmaiden of Rohan, the film features a remarkable voice cast that includes Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton), Yazdan Qafouri (I Came By), Benjamin Wainwright (World on Fire), and Shaun Dooley (The Witcher).

Behind the scenes, the creative team includes Oscar winners Philippa Boyens and Richard Taylor, alongside Tolkien illustrator John Howe, ensuring the film stays true to the spirit of Middle-earth.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim opens in cinemas on December 11, offering fans a stunning new perspective on Tolkien’s timeless world. Don’t miss this chance to journey back to Middle-earth. (Photo Credit: “Warner Bros. Pictures)

(ROHN ROMULO)