So Helm Hammerhand, Lord of the Mark and King of Rohan, is probably one of the most fleshed-out stories to pull out of the Appendices and film. In brief, he starts a feud by killing one of his distant relatives, whose son Wulf attacks and effectively conquers Rohan. Helm is driven to Helm's Deep - hence the name - and has to hold it through the Long Winter. After he freezes to death on his last watch, his nephew (since his sons are dead) rides out and retakes Rohan, killing Wulf and founding the Second Line of Rohan.

So it can certainly make for a good film, but also... whaaaat? I'll be impressed if they can get "theatrical released adult-oriented anime" to be a big hit, even with the LotR name attached, but even besides that it's an... unusual creative choice.

They've also mentioned that it's in-continuity with the Jackson films. Either that means 'you will recognise Edoras and the Hornburg'... or it means 'Wulf is backed by Saruman and has an army of Uruk-hai and Legolas shows up with a bunch of Elves from [rolls dice] Rivendell and there's Hobbits wandering through Rohan and who is this grey-cloaked stranger?! PS Rhosgobel rabbits!!'.

Apparently it's 'on the fast-track', so I guess we'll find out relatively soon. Any chance they're aiming for the 20th anniversary of Fellowship in December...?

hS