Tolkien, the upcoming biopic about legendary Lord of the Rings author J.R.R. Tolkien, juxtaposes the life and times of the author with snippets of the stories he would later create, as seen in its first teaser.
Starring Nicholas Hoult (X-Men: First Class) as Tolkien, the biopic will focus on Tolkien’s formative years and how they shaped the books he penned. Starting with the author’s school years, during which he met his closest friends, Tolkien will lead into World War I, where the “fellowship” of school friends faced certain destruction. Tom Glynn-Carney (Dunkirk) joins as Christopher Wiseman, one of Tolkien’s closest friends — and the only one of his group to survive World War I.
Just as important as fellowship through war in Tolkien’s story is love. Lily Collins (Rules Don’t Apply) stars as Tolkien’s lifelong love Edith Bratt, with whom he staved off a relationship in order to focus on his studies. There’s a happy ending there, though, thankfully.
Tolkien premieres in theaters on May 10.
