It has been confirmed that the role of Aragorn in the upcoming Lord of the Rings film will be portrayed by a new actor, as Viggo Mortensen will not be returning to his famous portrayal.
The project’s director and the actor playing Gollum, Andy Serkis, officially confirmed that an active search is underway for an actor to replace Mortensen in “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum.”
“I’m not privy to all the rumors, but I can confirm that we are indeed looking for a new actor for this role and are actively engaged in the process.”
— Andy Serkis
While Serkis did not disclose specific names, earlier insider reports mentioned Leo Woodall from “The White Lotus” as a potential candidate, though this information remains unconfirmed. Meanwhile, Kate Winslet has joined the cast, but her character’s identity is being kept under wraps.
“We still have a lot to keep secret. But it’s no longer a secret that the events unfold between ‘The Hobbit’ and ‘The Lord of the Rings.’ This is ‘The Hunt for Gollum,’ which involves not only physical pursuit but also a deep internal, psychological journey. We are just at the beginning of this grand adventure.”
— Andy Serkis
Filming for “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” is scheduled to commence in New Zealand in July 2026. The global premiere of the film is set for December 17, 2027. It’s noteworthy that Ian McKellen will reprise his role as Gandalf, and Elijah Wood will return as Frodo, although the extent of their involvement has not yet been revealed.