Warning: This article contains spoilers for The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim.Gandalf exists in the universe of The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim, which is set in the same world as Peter Jackson’s Hobbit and Lord of the Rings trilogies. However, at first glance, it isn’t quite clear exactly how War of the Rohirrim relates to Gandalf. This iconic Lord of the Rings Wizard 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.’ new Lord of the Rings movie, but not in the way that some may expect.
Released in December 2024, the War of the Rohirrim movie is Warner Bros.’ latest addition to the Lord of the Rings franchise, 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 official Lord of the Rings anime, 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 Rohirrim confirms 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 of Lord 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 end and 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 Rohirrim is correct about Gandalf being around in Middle-earth at the time of the Rohirrim’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 the Lord of the Rings’ appendices. War of the Rohirrim isn’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.
|
Tolkienian Age |
Event Marking The Start |
Years |
Total Length In Solar Years |
|---|---|---|---|
|
Before time |
Indeterminate |
Indeterminate |
Indeterminate |
|
Days before Days |
Ainur entered Eä |
1 – 3,500 Valian Years |
33,537 |
|
Pre-First Age Years of the Trees (Y.T.) |
Yavanna created the Two Trees |
Y.T. 1 – 1050 |
10,061 |
|
First Age (F.A.) |
Elves awoke in Cuiviénen |
Y.T. 1050 – Y.T. 1500, F.A. 1 – 590 |
4,902 |
|
Second Age (S.A.) |
War of Wrath ended |
S.A. 1 – 3441 |
3,441 |
|
Third Age (T.A.) |
Last Alliance defeated Sauron |
T.A. 1 – 3021 |
3,021 |
|
Fourth Age (Fo.A) |
Elven-rings left Middle-earth |
Fo.A 1 – unknown |
Unknown |
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 Héra was likely riding west toward the Shire to meet Gandalf somewhere. Thus, The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim is satisfactorily lore-accurate with its Gandalf reference.