Summary
Although actor Viggo Mortensen has shown interest in returning to Warner Bros.' upcomingLord of the Ringsproject, Aragorn’s live-action movie return inThe Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollumseems even less likely than before. The film, which will serve as a prequel to J.R.R. Tolkien’s iconicLord of the Ringstrilogy, will be produced by Peter Jackson. Known for his remarkable motion-capture performance of Gollum,actor Andy Serkis was tapped to directThe Hunt for Gollum. Still in the earliest stages of development, the film’s script is a pretty unknown quantity.
By the time viewers properly meet Gollum inThe Two Towers, the second entry inPeter Jackson’sLord of the Ringstrilogy, the character has been corrupted by the seductive power of the One Ring. When Gollum crosses paths with Frodo and Sam, the trio form an uneasy alliance, with the Hobbits taking the unhinged creature as their guide. A former Hobbit himself, Gollum had possession of the One Ring for a staggering 500 years. Needless to say,The Hunt for Gollumboasts plenty of narrative possibilities — some of which could cross paths with otherLOTRcharacters' stories.
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Although Peter Jackson’s Oscar-winningThe Return of the Kingpremiered over 20 years ago, theLOTRtrilogy still has a resounding impact on the nature of Hollywood movie franchises, the way viewers interact with fandoms, and the trajectory of pop culture at large. While the trilogy is considered a masterpiece, there’s still a desire for more Tolkien adaptations. Not to mention, givenThe Lord of the Rings' remarkable cast of characters,the actors who portrayed Tolkien’s classicLOTRfigures are equally beloved by fans. That said, any newly announced projects prompt folks to wonder who’s returning to Middle-earth.
Aragorn served as Mortensen’s star-making role…
One such fan-favorite character is Viggo Mortensen’s Aragorn, a Ranger of the North who swears to aid Frodo by joining the Fellowship of the Ring. Later on, he is revealed to be the heir of Isildur, an ancient King of Arnor and Gondor, and claims his rightful place on the throne. Undeniably, Aragorn served as Mortensen’s star-making role. Decades later, the actor still has goodwill towards the character and theLOTRseries. In fact,Mortensen said he would return forGollumif “I was right for it in terms of, you know, the age I am now.”
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After playing Aragorn from 2001 to 2003, Mortensen did not return forPeter Jackson’s oft-malignedThe Hobbittrilogy. Nonetheless, the Oscar-nominated actor has admitted that he “enjoyed” the role of Aragorn and learned a lot from his time working onThe Lord of the Ringsmovies. On the other hand,Mortensen is determined to only reprise the role if he’s right for the character, claiming that it would be “silly” to return if he wasn’t the best fit. That said, the news has fans feeling somewhat disappointed insofar asThe Hunt for Gollumis aLOTRprequel.
Since he doesn’t age at quite the same rate as other humans, Aragorn might look a bit more youthful for a longer period…
A member of the Dúnedain race of Men, Aragorn falls in love withArwen, an immortal elf who gives up her unending lifespanto be with him. Given his unique lineage, Aragorn lives longer than the average Men of Middle-earth. After ruling for 122 years, Aragorn dies at the age of 210 years old. Since he doesn’t age at quite the same rate as other humans, Aragorn might look a bit more youthful for a longer period of time. With this in mind,it’s hard to imagine a present-day Viggo Mortensen accurately portraying Aragorn in aLOTRprequel.
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There Are Ways Around Viggo Mortensen’s Age Factor
Prior to the events of Frodo’s quest, Gandalf grows suspicious of Bilbo, who seemingly possesses Sauron’s One Ring. to prove his inkling right,Gandalf tasks Aragorn with finding Gollum, which leads the ranger to capture Gollum in the Dead Marshes. Afterward, Gandalf questions the ring’s former owner in Mirkwood. In order for the canonical timeline to work, Aragorn and several other characters must be involved inThe Hunt for Gollum. WhileThe Rings of Powerhas recast keyLOTRcharacters, Gollum could use de-aging tech or make-up to make Viggo Mortensen look like young Aragorn again.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollumis slated for release in 2026.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum
Cast
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is an upcoming fantasy adventure film that delves into the story of Gollum’s obsession with the One Ring.
