Gandalf talking to Saruman in Return of the King. 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

Ian McKellen looking surprised as Gandalf the White in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Gandalf the White standing in front of soldiers in The Lord of the Rings. Ian McKellen as Gandalf The White arriving at Helm's Deep with the Riders of Rohan Gandalf on a horse in front of an army of knights looking down a hill at the end of LOTR: The Two Towers Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimlo approaching Edoras in The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers Ian McKellen looking surprised as Gandalf the White in Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. Gandalf the White standing in front of soldiers in The Lord of the Rings. Ian McKellen as Gandalf The White arriving at Helm's Deep with the Riders of Rohan Gandalf on a horse in front of an army of knights looking down a hill at the end of LOTR: The Two Towers Aragorn, Gandalf, Legolas, and Gimlo approaching Edoras in The Lord of the Rings The Two Towers

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

Gandalf talking to Pippin in The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King.

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.