New “The Lord of the Rings” motion pictures will proceed till morale improves — even when it requires a serious recasting or two. As quickly as Warner Bros. Discovery introduced new adventures set in Center-earth, all eyes quickly turned in direction of the elephant (Oliphaunt?) within the room. Which stars would both make their grand returns to reprise their authentic roles or get replaced fully? Information lately broke that Viggo Mortensen wouldn’t be suiting up in all his roguelike glory as Aragorn as soon as extra within the upcoming “The Hunt for Gollum,” breaking the hearts of many a fan. Nonetheless disappointing which may be, this offers an ideal alternative for a youthful actor to make the function their very own … and now we all know precisely who that will probably be.
As CinemaCon at present lights up Las Vegas this week, tonight is Warner Bros. Discovery’s flip to host a panel filled with reveals to tickle the flamboyant of theater homeowners — and followers — in every single place. In a shocking twist, Warner Brothers launched a casting announcement for all the most important stars. We knew director Andy Serkis would reprise the function of Gollum, together with Elijah Wooden as Frodo Baggins. The worst-kept secret in Hollywood has additionally been confirmed, as Sir Ian McKellen can even go well with up within the huge pointy hat because the wizard Gandalf, alongside franchise newcomer Kate Winslet as a personality named Marigol. The tweet additionally mentions each “The Hobbit” actor Lee Tempo because the Elf king Thranduil and Leo Woodall as Halvard, a personality near Aragorn.
We have been ready for you, valuable. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum solely in theaters 17 December 2027. pic.twitter.com/FuD8Bh8cpl
— Warner Bros. (@warnerbros) April 15, 2026
However the largest information of all? None aside from Jamie Dornan (recognized for the “Fifty Shades” motion pictures, 2021’s “Belfast,” “A Haunting in Venice,” and “Barb and Star Go To Vista Del Mar”) will painting a younger Aragorn, then referred to as the mysterious Ranger of the North Strider.
Jamie Dornan’s Casting Suggests The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum Is Off To A Promising Begin
For the primary time since Peter Jackson’s “The Hobbit” trilogy got here to a shaky finish in 2014, followers of J.R.R. Tolkien’s sweeping fantasy world are in for a brand new live-action occasion made for the massive display. This new period for “The Lord of the Rings” is not with out its dangers, which might be why “The Hunt for Gollum” is taking a giant ol’ chew out of the nostalgia apple. As beforehand rumored, each Ian McKellen and Elijah Wooden will probably be returning as Gandalf the Gray and Frodo Baggins, respectively. And having each Andy Serkis as Gollum and Lee Tempo as Thranduil (additionally the daddy of Legolas, performed by Orlando Bloom within the earlier motion pictures) will definitely assist to take care of continuity with Jackson’s movies.
However Jamie Dornan as Aragorn would require a good bit of readjusting on the a part of hardcore followers, significantly these nervous concerning the thought of seeing another person filling the footwear of Viggo Mortensen. “The Hobbit” trilogy helped that transition with the pitch-perfect casting of Martin Freeman as Bilbo, taking up for the late, nice Ian Holm (who additionally made a short look in these prequel motion pictures, together with Wooden). This time, nonetheless, Dornan can have no such delicate touchdown spot in taking up one of the vital recognizable roles of the final twenty years.
Not too dissimilar from the hubbub surrounding Robert Pattinson’s casting in “The Batman,” it is seemingly most informal audiences will solely affiliate Dornan with “Fifty Shades of Gray.” Thankfully, the actor has been placing in yeoman work in an enormous array of quiet dramas, impartial movies, and different lower-profile roles. His shaggier, Aragorn-like look within the 2014 British miniseries “New Worlds” (as seen above) might assist some see the imaginative and prescient.
Keep tuned for extra “The Hunt for Gollum” updates as they arrive in.
