The Lord of the Rings anime producer explains why they didn’t want the movie "to involve Dark Lords or rings"

EntertainmentMoviesFantasy MoviesLord of the Rings MoviesThe Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The RohirrimThe Lord of the Rings anime producer explains why they didn’t want the movie “to involve Dark Lords or rings"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. EntertainmentMoviesFantasy MoviesLord of the Rings MoviesThe Lord Of The Rings: The War Of The RohirrimThe Lord of the Rings anime producer explains why they didn’t want the movie “to involve Dark Lords or rings"When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Warner Bros. Pictures) The team behind new anime movie The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim were initially hesitant about returning to the world of Middle-earth. As producer Philippa Boyens tellsSFX magazinein the new issue, which features Doctor Who’s Christmas special ‘Joy to the World’ on the cover, she wanted to be sure they were not re-treading old ground. “One of the reasons why I kept getting stuck on what our foray back into the world of Middle-earth could be was that we didn’t want it to involve Dark Lords or rings, and that it could be a self-contained story, that it wouldn’t necessarily involve characters that we already knew, that this could revolve around a whole fresh set of characters,” she explains. “I felt it needed to be a story that could stand alone in the form of animation – and I always loved the Rohirrim as a people, I found them fascinating.” It helped too, the producer adds, that it was a new animated approach. Boyens continues: “I was always a little bit sceptical. It wasn’t until Warner Bros came to us and said, ‘What about an anime film?’ that I felt, ‘Yes, an anime film could absolutely work in Middle-earth.’ The story of Helm immediately came to mind as soon as they said anime.” Not a subscriber to SFX? Thenhead on over here to get the latest issues sent directly to your home/device! The War of the Rohirrim is set 183 years before Peter Jackson’s The Lord of the Rings films, telling the story of Helm Hammerhand. He was a legendary king of the Rohan who defended his kingdom against an army of Dunlendings. The voice cast includes Brian Cox in the lead role as Hammerhand, alongside Gaia Wise, Luke Pasqualino, and Miranda Otto. “It felt like a story that would fit well within the tradition of great Japanese cinematic storytelling,” Boyens explains. “Not just themes of honor, but of family, and that sense that even our heroes have quite significant flaws, in the case of Helm Hammerhand.” Sign up to the SFX Newsletter Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month! The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim releases in theaters on December 13. Read more inthe latest issue of SFX magazine, which features Doctor Who’s Christmas special ‘Joy to the World’ on the cover and hits newsstands on Tuesday, December 3. Check out the fittingly festive cover below… The SFX Holiday Special 2024 is on sale from 3 December! This bumper edition comes with #DoctorWho Season 25 art cards and an exclusive double-sided #Terrifier3 poster! Also, see loads of previously unpublished Terrifier 3 set photos!Pre-order coming soon, grab your copy fast! pic.twitter.com/394YJHUJGoNovember 19, 2024 The SFX Holiday Special 2024 is on sale from 3 December! This bumper edition comes with #DoctorWho Season 25 art cards and an exclusive double-sided #Terrifier3 poster! Also, see loads of previously unpublished Terrifier 3 set photos!Pre-order coming soon, grab your copy fast! pic.twitter.com/394YJHUJGoNovember 19, 2024 For even more from SFX, sign up to ournewsletter, which delivers all the latest exclusives straight to your inbox. 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the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 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