The official trailer for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is here.

The upcoming anime fantasy serves as a prequel to Peter Jackson’s beloved Lord of the Rings film trilogy (2001-03) and takes place 200 years before the events of those particular instalments.

Directed by Kenji Kamiyama (Ghost in the Shell series, Blade Runner: Black Lotus), the plot centres on legendary Rohirrim king Helm Hammerhand and his family as they defend their kingdom against an army of Dunlendings.

Emmy winner Brian Cox (Manhunter, Succession) leads the film’s voice cast as Helm alongside Gaia Wise (A Walk in the Woods, Silent Witness), Luke Pasqualino (Snowpiercer, Our Girl), Laurence Ubong Williams (The Flatshare, The Chelsea Detective), Lorraine Ashbourne (Bridgerton, Sherwood), Michael Wildman (Emmerdale, Baby Reindeer), Jude Akuwudike (Beasts of No Nation, Gangs of London), Bilal Hasna (Extraordinary, 3 Body Problem), Janine Duvitski (One Foot in the Grave, Benidorm), and Shaun Dooley (It’s a Sin, Mr Bates vs. The Post Office).

Fans of the acclaimed Jackson trilogy can also look forward to hearing Miranda Otto reprise her hit role as Éowyn who narrates the film.

The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim will be released in UK cinemas on 13 December.