Exclusive: Brian Cox Opens Up About Playing Helm Hammerhand In 'The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim'

‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ takes audiences back to the legendary world of Middle-earth, building on the grandeur of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s timeless works. This original anime feature is directed by acclaimed filmmaker Kenji Kamiyama, known for his work on Blade Runner: Black Lotus and Ghost in the Shell: Stand Alone Complex. Leading the voice cast is Brian Cox from Succession, who portrays Helm Hammerhand, the powerful King of Rohan. Joining him are Gaia Wise from A Walk in the Woods as Héra, Helm’s brave daughter, and Luke Pasqualino from Snowpiercer as Wulf, a vengeful Dunlending lord. Miranda Otto returns as Éowyn, Shieldmaiden of Rohan, and serves as the film’s narrator. The voice cast also features Lorraine Ashbourne from Bridgerton, Yazdan Qafouri from I Came By, Benjamin Wainwright from World on Fire, Laurence Ubong Williams from Gateway, Shaun Dooley from The Witcher, Michael Wildman from Fast and Furious Presents Hobbs and Shaw, Jude Akuwudike from Beasts of No Nation, Bilal Hasna from Sparks, and Janine Duvitski from Benidorm.

Speaking about his role in the film, Brian Cox shared his excitement about joining the world of Tolkien. He mentioned that, unlike ‘The Lord of the Rings’ or ‘The Hobbit’, where he did not have a role, he was thrilled to finally be a part of it. He said the opportunity to play Helm was something he could not pass up. Cox also shared what made the character of Helm Hammerhand so compelling to him. Having played powerful leaders like King Lear and Titus Andronicus in the past, he was drawn to Helm’s fierce energy and commanding presence. Cox described Helm as a man of action with a wild, demonic drive but also noted that he has a softer side. As a ruler and a father, Helm’s story offered an emotional depth that Cox found irresistible, making the role all the more appealing.

The film’s story takes place 183 years before the events of ‘The Lord of the Rings’ trilogy, focusing on the fate of the House of Helm Hammerhand. The plot follows Helm as he faces an unexpected attack from Wulf, a ruthless Dunlending lord determined to avenge his father’s death. Forced to retreat to the mighty stronghold of the Hornburg — which would later be known as Helm’s Deep — Helm and his people prepare for a final, desperate stand. As danger closes in, his daughter Héra rises to the challenge, taking charge of the resistance against their powerful enemy. Produced by New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Animation, and Sola Entertainment in association with Wingnut Films, ‘The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim’ is set for a worldwide theatrical release on December thirteenth, two thousand twenty-four, promising an epic return to Middle-earth for fans of Tolkien’s unforgettable saga.