A new installment in The Lord of the Rings cinematic universe, The War of the Rohirrim, is set to hit theaters in late 2024. This animated adventure, produced by Warner Bros., promises to explore the rich history of Middle-earth in a way fans haven’t experienced before. Miranda Otto returns as Éowyn, narrating the tale, and surprisingly, Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd are also part of the project—though not in the roles fans might expect.

A Prequel Set 200 Years Before the War of the Ring

Set approximately 200 years prior to the events of The Lord of the Rings, The War of the Rohirrim delves into the story of Helm Hammerhand, King of Rohan (voiced by Brian Cox), and his courageous daughter Héra (Gaia Wise). The film is distinct from the live-action trilogies of The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, employing an anime-inspired style that marks a visual departure from Peter Jackson’s iconic adaptations.

Despite this stylistic shift, many familiar names from the live-action films are involved. Philippa Boyens, who co-wrote the original trilogy, contributes to the story and serves as a producer. Meanwhile, Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh are executive producers. Miranda Otto reprises her role as Éowyn, lending her voice as the story’s narrator, while the late Christopher Lee’s iconic Saruman voice will be featured through audio wizardry.

Monaghan and Boyd Return—But Not as Merry and Pippin

Dominic Monaghan and Billy Boyd, who famously portrayed Merry and Pippin in The Lord of the Rings, are confirmed to appear in The War of the Rohirrim. However, they won’t be reprising their roles as hobbits. Instead, they lend their voices to two orc characters named Shank and Wrot—a comedic duo prone to constant bickering.

The revelation came through a behind-the-scenes video published by Entertainment Weekly, where Monaghan and Boyd are shown recording their lines in a studio. Fans initially speculated about Monaghan’s involvement after he hinted at it on Instagram when the first trailer was released. Responding to a fan query about his role, he teased, “Don’t you hear my voice? Apparently, I’m better with accents than people think,” accompanied by a winking emoji. This playful comment has now been officially confirmed.

Billy Boyd’s participation, on the other hand, was a pleasant surprise. The two actors’ orc characters even have accompanying action figures, suggesting their roles, though comedic, might have a notable impact on the narrative.

What Do Mordor’s Orcs Want with Rings?

Fans first speculated that Monaghan voiced a particular orc line in the trailer: “What do Mordor want with rings?” The Entertainment Weekly video supports this theory, as the line is shown immediately after footage of Monaghan and Boyd recording in the studio. Whether this is indeed Monaghan’s character remains to be fully confirmed, but the evidence is compelling.

Awaiting the Film’s Release

The extent of Monaghan and Boyd’s roles in the story will only become clear when The War of the Rohirrim premieres on December 12, 2024. Their involvement, however, adds an exciting Easter egg for long-time fans of the franchise.

More The Lord of the Rings Projects on the Horizon

The journey doesn’t end here. Warner Bros. is also developing new live-action films set in Middle-earth. The first of these, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, is slated for a 2026 release. This film will run parallel to the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, potentially featuring cameos from beloved original cast members. While some stars have expressed reluctance to return, these new films aim to rekindle the magic of the original trilogy, offering fans a fresh yet familiar experience in Tolkien’s universe