“The Lord of the Rings” is one of the most beloved intellectual properties in the hearts of fantasy lovers as well as fans of fiction in general. No matter one’s opinion, “The Lord of the Rings” has had a prolific impact on the worlds of literature and film alike.
Released on Dec. 13, 2024, “The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim” promised to be a captivating return to the world of Middle-Earth in the form of Japanese animation. An intriguing concept, but whether or not the film delivered on this promise has come into question since the film was released.
The film was directed by Kenji Kamiyama, a long-time writer and director in the anime industry. He participated in the production of several well-known series including “Ghost in the Shell” and “Eden of the East”.
The film takes place 183 years before the events of The Lord of the Rings. It follows the king of Rohan, Helm Hammerhand and his daughter, Hera, as they must defend their people from a murderous traitor seeking revenge for the death of his father.
Warner Brothers has owned the movie rights to “The Lord of the Rings” since the late 1990’s. However, the studio risked losing these rights in 2021 due to inactivity.
According to cinemablend.com, “The new animated film set in Tolkien’s universe is rumored to be a fast-tracked cash grab for Warner Brothers to retain rights to the property.”
This may explain the mediocre financial success of the film, having grossed a meager two million dollars at the box office, making it the second lowest-grossing film by Warner Bros. set in Tolkien’s Middle-Earth.
The film has been unpopular with critics, scoring a 45% on rottentomatoes.com. The film did better with audiences, scoring an 83%. This shows that despite the shady intentions of the film’s release, audiences are still hungry for “Lord of the Rings” content.
The future of the beloved property that is “The Lord of the Rings” has come into question. Audiences have been consistently dissatisfied with the series and films that have been introduced in recent years. It is safe to say, however, that Warner Bros. is unlikely to try their hand at another animated film.
