One of the earliest revelations we had regarding the War of the Rohirrim was the inclusion of Cox in the project. His vocal contributions were among the initial aspects finalized for the film, emblematic of the pivotal role he would play in shaping its essence. Director Kenji Kamiyama, speaking through a translator to EW, effused about Cox’s commanding presence, dubbing him “a force of nature.” During the recording sessions, Cox had to rely solely on his instincts as the visual animation was yet to be completed. Despite the team’s request for a more exaggerated voice to convey the character’s strength, Cox insisted on staying true to his own performance style, a decision that initially left the crew questioning its adequacy.
Kamiyama further reflected, “But his voice has that vitality and charisma, you can hear it. So by the time we were mixing all this together, we were actually being influenced by his performance. It was seeping into how we were creating the animation.” Cox’s rich experience in vocal performance, honed through drama school and BBC radio plays, undoubtedly informed his intuitive approach to the role. “I believe in the voice,” he asserts, underscoring the significance he places on this aspect of his craft.
The depth of Cox’s understanding of paternal dynamics, particularly in a patriarchal context, was evident in his portrayal of the father-daughter relationship in War of the Rohirrim. Drawing from his role as the formidable Logan Roy in “Succession” and his own experiences as a father, Cox seamlessly embodied the character’s complexities. Producer Philippa Boyens, known for her work on Jackson’s LOTR movies, praised Cox’s ability to navigate the intricacies of Helm’s character arc with nuance and authenticity. “He loved that journey of a father learning to see his daughter in another way,” she remarked, highlighting Cox’s seamless transition between the roles of a warrior king and a vulnerable father figure.
The film not only delves into the familial dynamics between Helm and Hèra but also explores the destructive repercussions of patriarchal systems through the character of Wulf. Driven by a thirst for vengeance following his father’s demise, Wulf becomes a harbinger of violence, laying waste to everything in his path. Cox mused on the tragic nature of Wulf’s character, shaped by his tumultuous relationship with his father, Freca, underscoring the poignant effects of entrenched patriarchy on individual destinies.
“It’s always a problem when you have a deeply ugly father,” Cox reflected on Wulf’s narrative. “Wulf hasn’t been helped by having the ugliest father imaginable, who he clearly loves, and we all go, ‘Really?’ There’s a very tragic element to Wulf in that he should have been somebody else, but because of his circumstances and because of being bound up in the patriarchy game, he can’t shake it off.” The intricate interplay between familial ties and societal structures adds layers of complexity.
