As a dedicated fan who has lived and breathed Middle-earth for over two decades now, I must say that the announcement of “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” has sent shivers of excitement down my spine! The return of Saruman, voiced by none other than the legendary Christopher Lee, is a testament to the enduring legacy of Peter Jackson’s epic trilogy.
In a new take on “The Lord of the Rings” titled “The War of the Rohirrim“, we’ll see Saruman making his comeback on the big screen, with the original actor from Peter Jackson’s legendary trilogy providing his voice. This prequel, set approximately two centuries before the main storyline, showcases some well-known characters in animated form. However, the filmmakers had to think outside the box to resurrect the wizard, as Christopher Lee, who played this memorable villain in “The Lord of the Rings”, passed away years ago. Remarkably, he’s been brought back for the upcoming anime film to reprise his role as the infamous antagonist.
In an interview with The One Ring, long-term franchise screenwriter and producer Philippa Boyens shared insights on how they reintroduced Lee as Saruman for the film “The War of the Rohirrim.” Fortunately, artificial intelligence was not utilized to produce new voice lines mimicking the actor. Instead, Boyens and her team combed through old recordings made by Lee during the Hobbit trilogy and selected a line that suited the context of the anime movie. The exact extent of Saruman’s role remains uncertain, but his appearance appears more like a fleeting cameo. As explained by Boyens:
We drew inspiration from a quote in The Hobbit, specifically, “Do you require aid, my lady?” or something similar. We wondered, could we count the number of times he delivered this line? Could we give it a fresh perspective while still making adjustments? Our talented team certainly did just that. However, the essence of Christopher Lee’s performance remains in it, as it was based on that very line.
Notable wizards from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original “Lord of the Rings” series have been generating buzz recently. Alongside Saruman, Ian McKellen hinted at his reprisal of Gandalf in the upcoming two live-action films. Meanwhile, the “The Rings of Power” series finale unveiled the Stranger as Gandalf, while subtly hinting at the enigmatic dark wizard’s true identity. Since the timeline for “War of the Rohirrim” places it before Gandalf’s appearance, his cameo in the movie is unlikely.
What is The War of the Rohirrim About?
Under the guidance of anime legend Kenji Kamiyama, the series titled “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” revolves around King Helm Hammerhand (Brian Cox) and his daughter Hera (Gaia Wise), rulers of Rohan. They strive to safeguard their realm from an imminent threat posed by the Wolf (Luke Pasqualino) and the Dunlendings, who are invading. The trailer hints at a large-scale conflict erupting among the clans, with Hera being tasked with repelling the Wolf, who is bent on avenging his father’s demise. Here’s the official plot summary:
183 years prior to the events portrayed in the “Lord of the Rings” film trilogy, we find ourselves in the tale of “The War of the Rohirrim,” where we delve into the story of Helm Hammerhand, a renowned King of Rohan. A surprise assault by Wulf, a cunning and merciless Dunlending lord seeking vengeance for his father’s death, places Helm and his people in a perilous position, forcing them to make a valiant last stand at the formidable fortress of Hornburg – a stronghold that would later be known as Helm’s Deep. As events unfold and the situation grows dire, Héra, Helm’s daughter, must find the courage to lead the resistance against an enemy determined to bring about their annihilation.
The War of the Rohirrim is considered an authentic part of the Peter Jackson-directed trilogy. This is made clear by the return of Saruman played by the original actor. However, it appears that characters we know well won’t be featured in the anime movie. Instead, it tells a story set during the time leading up to The Lord of the Rings events. Despite this, it’s expected to hint strongly at Sauron’s return, as one of the main characters in The War of the Rohirrim eventually transforms into a Nazgûl, a servant corrupted by the Dark Lord.
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2024-10-28 19:33