The upcoming Lord of the Rings film will indeed proceed without Viggo Mortensen.
Director and actor Andy Serkis, who portrays Gollum, has confirmed that Aragorn will be played by a new actor in “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.” According to Serkis, the production team is actively searching for a new performer for the iconic role, which was originally brought to life by Viggo Mortensen in the beloved trilogy.
“I don’t know what’s going on out there right now, but I understand there’s a lot of speculation. Let’s just say we are indeed recasting this role and are already looking for the right candidate.”
— Andy Serkis
Serkis refrained from mentioning any specific names for the role. Previously, insider Daniel Richtman had suggested that Leo Woodall, known for his work in “The White Lotus,” was in contention for Aragorn, but this information remains unconfirmed. Additionally, Kate Winslet has joined the project, though her specific role is currently being kept under wraps.
“We still need to keep everything under wraps for now. I think it’s no longer a secret that the film’s events unfold between ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ This is ‘The Hunt for Gollum.’ It’s not just about the physical pursuit of the character, but also an internal, psychological quest. We’re just at the beginning, and there’s a big journey ahead.”
— Andy Serkis
Filming for “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” is scheduled to commence in New Zealand in July 2026, with an international premiere slated for December 17, 2027. Ian McKellen is set to reprise his role as Gandalf, and Elijah Wood will return as Frodo, though the full extent of their involvement has yet to be revealed.