Animated Lord of the Rings Returns in Early 2027 With New Release

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Ralph Bakshi’s animated film, released 48 years ago, is experiencing a resurgence in popularity thanks to Dark Horse Direct. The company just announced a new line of figures based on the movie, featuring Boromir, Merry, and Pippin as they appeared in the animated version of the story.

Like Dark Horse Direct’s earlier animated figures of Aragorn, Samwise, and Frodo, these new figures will be sold as a complete set.

Dark Horse Brings Animated Boromir, Merry, and Pippin to Life

Dark Horse Direct, working with Middle-earth Enterprises, has created a new set of collectible figures. This 3-piece set includes Meriadoc Brandybuck, Peregrin Took, and Boromir, all based on their appearances in the 1978 animated Lord of the Rings film directed by Ralph Bakshi. The figures are made of PVC and stand between 5 and 7.5 inches tall.

This scene recreates the pivotal moment in Boromir’s story where, driven by his desire to protect Gondor, he’s briefly tempted by the One Ring. Ultimately, his bravery shines through as he courageously defends the hobbits – Pippin and Merry – from a large group of orcs, giving Frodo and Samwise a chance to escape.

The Legacy of Bakshi’s The Lord of the Rings Live On

The animated film, released in 1978, adapts J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic fantasy novels, The Lord of the Rings. The screenplay, written by Chris Conkling and Peter S. Beagle, covers the events of the first two books: The Fellowship of the Ring and The Two Towers.

Ralph Bakshi’s film adaptation of The Lord of the Rings received a mixed reception, earning a 48% rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Many Tolkien fans were dissatisfied because the movie only covers part of the story, ending with the Battle of Helm’s Deep and leaving out the events of The Return of the King.

The film was initially conceived as the first installment in a three-part Lord of the Rings series. However, financial constraints meant the series had to be shortened to just two films. Studio executives at United Artists removed “Part 1” from the title, worried that audiences wouldn’t want to pay to see an incomplete story. This backfired, as viewers felt they hadn’t received a satisfying conclusion. While the movie was financially successful, the difficult production process took a toll on director Ralph Bakshi, and a disagreement with a producer ultimately led to the cancellation of the planned sequel.

Even though it was never completed, the animated The Lord of the Rings film still has a dedicated following among fans of Tolkien’s work (reportedly including the author’s daughter, Priscilla). Peter Jackson himself called the animated version “brave and ambitious,” while also stating his own movie would be very different from Ralph Bakshi’s approach.

You can now pre-order a new collection of three animated figures based on The Lord of the Rings at Dark Horse Direct. They are expected to be delivered in early 2027.

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2026-05-20 01:12