Viggo Mortensen backs Jamie Dornan as Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum

Casting for the new film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has sparked plenty of excitement, especially with confirmation that Jamie Dornan will take over the role of Aragorn from Viggo Mortensen. Andy Serkis, who made his name as Gollum in the original trilogy and is now directing this prequel, has confirmed Mortensen's approval of the change.

Recasting an icon

Andy Serkis discussed the decision to recast Aragorn during an interview on the Happy, Sad, Confused podcast. He said the team is "not far from filming" and that they are excited about Dornan's casting. While fans had plenty of questions about Mortensen returning to the role, Serkis said Aragorn is in safe hands. He added: "We are absolutely thrilled that Jamie is doing it, and Viggo is too."

Viggo Mortensen's reaction

Despite fan calls for him to return as Aragorn, Mortensen has said he is open to a comeback in the future, possibly as soon as 2024. Serkis noted that Mortensen's continued interest in Aragorn remains relevant, but that the new film is taking a more intimate approach to the story.

New cast and the story

The film The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will not rely only on returning cast members; new faces are also joining the project. Confirmed actors include Kate Winslet as Marigol, Lee Woodall as Halvard, and Lee Pace as Thranduil. The film is set to release on 17 December 2027, giving Tolkien fans plenty to look forward to.

It is an exciting time for The Lord of the Rings fans, with familiar characters returning and the chance to explore more stories from Middle-earth.