Warning: This article contains spoilers forThe Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.Gandalf exists in the universe ofThe Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, which is set in the same world asPeter Jackson’sHobbitandLord of the Ringstrilogies. However, at first glance, it isn’t quite clear exactly howWar of the Rohirrimrelates to Gandalf. This iconicLord of the RingsWizard is a member of the Fellowship of the Ring and one of the main characters of the novels and trilogy. Beguilingly, he also appears toward the end of Warner Bros.' newLord of the Ringsmovie, but not in the way that some may expect.
Released in December 2024, theWar of the Rohirrimmovieis Warner Bros.' latest addition to theLord of the Ringsfranchise, directed by anime master Kenji Kamiyana. It adapts “The House of Eorl,” a short story from Appendix A of J. R. R. Tolkien’s masterpiece,The Lord of the Rings.The very last scene of this movie, which is the first officialLord of the Ringsanime, name-drops Gandalf,but he does not appear in person. This intriguing Gandalf reference ensures it is clear that the Wizard is lurking somewhere, but it is unclear where.
War Of The Rohirrim Confirms Gandalf Is In Middle-Earth
Gandalf Is Around At The Time Of The War Of The Rohirrim
War of the Rohirrimconfirms that Gandalf is alive and kicking at the time of its events. This may come as a surprise to some, since the movie is set nearly 200 years before the story ofLord of the Rings. However, well-versed Tolkien fans and book readers will know that Gandalf is an immortal Istar and lives in Middle-earth throughout thousands of the many years of its history.Héra (Gaia Wise) receives a letter from Gandalf near the movie’s endand rides to meet him,so he is within riding distance of Rohan.
How War Of The Rohirrim Lines Up With Gandalf’s Lord Of The Rings History
The War Of The Rohirrim’s Lore Is Mostly Correct
War of the Rohirrimis correct about Gandalf being around in Middle-earth at the time of theRohirrim’s war with the Dunlendings. Gandalf and the other Istari are said to have arrived in Middle-earth about 1000 years into the Third Age. This tidbit is dispensed in theLord of the Rings’appendices.War of the Rohirrimisn’t totally direct about Gandalf’s location, but it makes sense for him to be able to reach Héra by mail and for her to be able to reach him by horse.
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Lord of the Rings’appendices reveal more than just Gandalf’s existence in the lands of Middle-earth around T.A. 2758 (the year of the Long Winter),providing a closer look at his whereabouts. While the Rohirrim were struggling with their Dunlending war, Gandalf went to the aid of the Hobbits, as the Long Winter was hard on them and Gandalf loved them dearly.War of the Rohirrim’s Hérawas likely riding west toward the Shire to meet Gandalf somewhere. Thus,The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrimis satisfactorily lore-accurate with its Gandalf reference.
The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim
Cast
Set before the events of the original Lord of the Rings trilogy, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is an animated action-adventure fantasy film that follows a King of Rohan named Helm Hammerhand. When his home comes under siege by Dunlendings, Hammerhand prepares himself and his allies to fight back against them, with the war leading to the eventual establishment of Helm’s Deep.
