Lord of the Rings’ new Aragorn revealed amid fan backlash over Viggo Mortensen being replaced for prequel

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Warner Bros. revealed at CinemaCon on Tuesday who will play the younger version of Aragorn (known as Strider) in the upcoming Lord of the Rings prequel, The Hunt for Gollum, scheduled for release on December 17, 2027.

As a lifestyle expert, I’ve always appreciated a strong leading man, and Jamie Dornan definitely fits the bill! He reminded me of his work in ‘New Worlds’ when he was chosen to play this incredible character – the leader of the Northern Dúnedain Rangers, a man who eventually becomes King Elessar Telcontar. It’s a role that really showcases his ability to embody both strength and regal bearing.

Many fans may have forgotten that Viggo Mortensen last portrayed the character of Strider over two decades ago, and he is now 67 years old.

At 43 years old, the actor is the same age Viggo Mortensen was when he took over the role of the skilled tracker and fighter in The Fellowship of the Ring back in 2001.

Viggo Mortensen has said he’d be willing to play Strider again. In a 2024 interview with British GQ, he shared that he enjoyed the role and learned a lot from the experience.

Okay, so listen, I’ve thought about this a lot. I’d only ever consider taking on the role if it genuinely felt right for me, you know? Like, if my age and where I am in life actually matched the character. It would just be…weird and honestly, a little embarrassing if it didn’t! It has to fit, or what’s the point?

Jamie Dornan is widely recognized for his work in several popular projects, including the films Belfast and Barb and Star Go to Vista Del Mar, as well as the Fifty Shades trilogy, the TV series The Fall and Once Upon a Time, and the movie Marie Antoinette.

Okay, so it’s NOT Aragorn for Leo Woodall, which, honestly, broke my heart a little. But it’s STILL Leo! He’s going to be Halvard, a Dúnedain ranger, and he’ll be riding with Strider and Gandalf – yes, the Ian McKellen! – on this incredible quest to find Gollum. It all takes place between ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Fellowship of the Ring,’ so it’s filling in a gap I didn’t even know I needed filled! I’m already obsessed with this new story and, of course, with Leo in it.

Andy Serkis will both direct and return as Gollum/Sméagol, the troubled character from the Lord of the Rings. Elijah Wood will once again play Frodo Baggins, and Lee Pace will reprise his role as the elven king Thranduil. Joining them is Kate Winslet, who will play a new, enigmatic character named Marigol.

The director noted that a defining characteristic of the Middle-earth films, throughout both trilogies, has always been the incredible acting talent featured in every part, big or small.

Continuing the spirit of previous works, I’m thrilled to share that some of Middle-earth’s most popular actors are returning, and we’re also welcoming some incredibly gifted new performers to the world of Tolkien.

Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh, the screenwriters behind The Lord of the Rings, collaborated with Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou to write the screenplay for The Hunt for Gollum.

Filming is set to begin later this year in Wellington, New Zealand.

Jamie Dornan’s casting received a varied response on Instagram, with one user, @mina_erickson, jokingly comparing him to Gollum from ‘Lord of the Rings’.

I saw the funniest thing on Instagram! @charliethomason made a joke referencing Titanic, imagining Kate Winslet saying to Jamie Dornan in Lord of the Rings, ‘Draw me like one of your Rivendell girls.’ It totally cracked me up!

Instagram artist @saramorelloart reacted with surprise and excitement to the idea of Jamie Dornan playing Aragorn, expressing her feelings with six shocked face emojis and a heart-eyes emoji.

‘From a looks wise Jamie is fantastic for Aragorn,’ Instagram user @tristan_fredrick wrote.

Instagram user @breecrossroads expressed her excitement in a comment, enthusiastically writing, ‘JAMIE DORNAN. HELL YEAH. AND LEEEEE PACE! AGGHHHHHHH.’

One Instagram user, @iamyeeezus, pointed out that Jamie Dornan is getting another opportunity in the entertainment industry, calling it a significant one.

Instagram user @tragick07 expressed mixed feelings, writing: ‘It’s hard to imagine anyone but Viggo Mortensen as Strider, but I hope the new actor does a good job.’

Some fans of The Lord of the Rings strongly disapproved of the casting choice, with one Instagram user, @elijasaurus_rex, famously declaring, ‘If it’s not Viggo Mortensen, it’s not Aragorn!’

Instagram user @wolfbornspirit strongly agreed, stating, ‘Absolutely not without Viggo. He is, was, and always will be Aragorn.’

Viewers can soon see Mortensen, who speaks four languages, in the film Porto Rico, a biopic about José Maldonado Román, featuring Bad Bunny, Javier Bardem, and Edward Norton.

Jamie Dornan has several new projects on the horizon, including the films The Undertow, Love Is Not the Answer, The Turning Door, The Worst, and a currently untitled project referred to as 12, 12, 12.

As a lifestyle expert, I always find it lovely to celebrate enduring relationships! This April 27th marks 13 wonderful years of marriage for a truly talented actor and his wife, the incredibly gifted composer Amelia Warner. They’ve built a beautiful family together, raising three adorable daughters – Dulcie, who’s 12, Elva, 10, and little Alberta, who’s seven. It’s so inspiring to see a strong partnership and family thrive!

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2026-04-15 09:19