It’s now official that Aragorn is being recast for the Andy Serkis-directed “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” film at Warner Bros. Pictures.
For many months, it has been rumoured that Viggo Mortensen would not return to the role he made famous in the original “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy and that the role would be recast with Leo Woodall (“Nuremberg”) considered a top contender.
Despite all the reports, it was never confirmed that anyone involved in the production had planned a recast – until now. While speaking with ScreenRant, Serkis says:
“I don’t know what’s out there at the moment, but I know there’s a lot of speculation, but let’s just say we are recasting the role and we are on the way to finding someone.”
Serkis also confirmed the casting of Kate Winslet in an undisclosed part. Meanwhile, actor Elijah Wood, who appeared on a recent Happy Sad Confused episode, agreed with the host when he said whoever is replacing Mortensen will have a super tough act to follow.
Wood responded: “That is true. Those are tough boots, man. That is tough. I can’t imagine. But that’s going to be great.”
Wood didn’t confirm Woodall’s involvement and still will not confirm if he himself is back in the movie as the Hobbit Frodo. He does say the film has a smaller scope than the original trilogy:
“It is a side quest. It’s a side story. I think it’ll provide a lot of context for Gollum and an understanding of that character that we only got a bit of in the prologue. I think we’ll see more of that.
I don’t think it has to [live up to the trilogy’s expectations]. It doesn’t bear the weight of the trilogy. It’s not the trilogy. It’s not those books, but it is certainly excerpts from the books. And it is characters from the books. And it is all canon. I can say that. “
Ian McKellen previously teased that the film would feature Gandalf and Frodo. Serkis will direct, executive produce, and star in the film, which Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou co-wrote. Peter Jackson returns to produce.
“The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” arrives in cinemas on December 17th 2027.
