J.R.R. Tolkien was one of the more influential writers of the 20th century, best known for his high fantasy classics such as The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit. Fox Searchlight is diving into the formative years of the orphaned author in their new biopic, simply titled Tolkien.

Nicholas Hoult has been tasked with playing Tolkien, while Lily Collins co-stars as Tolkien’s lifelong sweetheart and wife, Edith Bratt. Tom Glynn-Carney, Anthony Boyle, Patrick Gibson, Albie Marber, Colm Meaney and Genevieve O’Reilly then round out the cast.

Tolkien follows the legendary writer as he finds friendship, love and artistic inspiration among fellow outcasts at school. The outbreak of World War I threatens to tear their "fellowship" apart, however. These experiences ultimately inspired Tolkien to write his now-beloved Middle-Earth novels.

Press play above to watch the first trailer for the Dome Karukoski-directed Tolkien, which comes to theaters May 10.