Jamie Dornan replaces Viggo Mortensen in the ‘Lord of the Rings’ spinoff film ‘The Hunt for Gollum.’
The core cast of The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has been revealed, although one character will appear very different to longtime franchise fans.
Warner Bros. Pictures announced at CinemaCon on Tuesday, April 14, that Jamie Dornan will play Strider, the chief of the Northern Dúnedain Rangers, who was subsequently revealed to be Aragorn. Viggo Mortensen played the character in the original trilogy, which consisted of The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), The Two Towers (2002), and The Return of the King (2003).
While some fans may be hesitant to accept the casting shift, it appears that the decision is necessary given that the spinoff serves as a prequel to the trilogy’s first film. The next picture is set between the events of The Hobbit trilogy—2012’s An Unexpected Journey, 2013’s The Desolation of Smaug, and 2014’s The Battle of the Five Armies—and The Fellowship of the Ring.
The Hunt for Gollum, which will be released in theaters on December 17, 2027, revolves around the titular Hobbit’s past and Strider’s search for the character who was previously known as Sméagol.
Although Mortensen was recast for the spinoff, several essential franchise characters will return in The Hunt for Gollum. Ian McKellen will return as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, Andy Serkis (who is also directing the latest chapter) as Gollum/Sméagol, and Lee Pace as Thranduil.
However, Dornan, 43, will not be the only new face in the film. Newcomers Kate Winslet and Leo Woodall will play matriarch Marigol and Strider’s fellow Dúnedain Halvard, respectively.
After Serkis, 61, confirmed plans to recast Strider for The Hunt for Gollum earlier this month, The Hollywood Reporter noted that Mortensen, now 67, was 40 years old when he shot his first Lord of the Rings film, but his human character in the upcoming spinoff is expected to be younger than he was in The Fellowship of the Ring. Given Strider’s apparent important role, Mortensen may have had a difficult time selling the new project.
Meanwhile, the site suggested that McKellen, now 86, could still pass as Gandalf because he was made to appear much older than his age of 60 at the time of the first film, and his face is partially concealed beneath his beard, wig, and prosthetic nose. According to the source, Wood, who is now 45, may have a modest position that allows for de-aging if necessary.
In a May 2024 GQ interview, Mortensen expressed his willingness to reprise his role as Aragorn, saying, “Sure. “I’m not sure what the story is; I haven’t heard it. “Maybe I’ll hear about it later,” he stated of The Hunt for Gollum at the time.
“I enjoy playing that role. I learned a lot while portraying the character. I really enjoyed it. I would only do it if I were qualified, based on my current age and other factors. I’d only do it if I were a good fit for the character. It would be stupid to do anything else.”