Aragorn is a key character inThe Lord of the Ringsand could be more essential than ever inThe Lord of the Rings:The Hunt for Gollummovie. The 2020s are a great decade for theLotRfranchise, withThe Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrimout in December 2024 andThe Hunt for Gollum(working title) out in 2026. ButThe Hunt for Gollummay struggle to attain the greatness it deserves if it can’t jump an important Aragorn hurdle.Hunt for Gollumscreenwriter Philippa Boyens confirmed the Aragorn dilemma that the movie faces.

Speaking toThe Playlist, Boyens confirmed that she has not yet finished the script, which will confirmthe full story ofThe Hunt for Gollum. One thing she does know is that Aragorn should be set to feature in it. This makes sense, considering the narrative that the movie is likely to follow. It is known that the movie will be set between Bilbo’s birthday party and the Fellowship reaching Moria and will cover Gollum’s perspective. During this time, Gandalf and Aragorn hunt Gollum, and Aragorn finds him, so Viggo Mortensen’s involvement will be essential for the movie.

Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in Lord of the Rings.

It Sounds Like Hunt For Gollum Will Include Aragorn With Or Without Viggo Mortensen

Aragorn Is Key To The Hunt For Gollum’s Story

Boyens seems certain thatThe Hunt for Gollumwill include Aragorn, regardless if Viggo Mortensen agrees to take up the role again. She confirmed that she has already spoken to Mortensen about the role, as have Andy Serkis and Peter Jackson, who will direct and produce the movie, respectively. However, she also confirmed thatMortensen has not yet agreed to joinThe Hunt for Gollum, which could present the project with a big problem. Boyens spoke for most fans when she said “I cannot imagine anyone else playing Aragorn.”

Bilbo’s birthday party

Gollum looking hopeful in The Lord of the Rings trilogy

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Gandalf started seeking news of Gollum and called on Aragorn’s help

Aragorn in Lord Of The Rings.

Gandalf and Aragorn renewed their hunt for Gollum

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Lord of the Rings The Hunt for Gollum Teaser Poster

Sauron captured and tortured Gollum

Sauron let Gollum go

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Gollum escaped

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All trace of Gollum lost, Gollum thought to have entered Moria

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Council of Elrond, meeting of the Fellowship

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Aragorn actor Viggo Mortensen was the main knight in shining armor ofWarner Bros.‘Lord of the Ringstrilogy, so giving him a vital role in the upcoming movie without his agreement to join it was risky. However, with the only hunt for Gollum described anywhere inLotRdone by Gandalf and Aragorn, it is hard to see how this risk could have ever been offset. Boyens said thatViggo would confirm his acceptance of the role after seeing the script, so her script must tempt Mortensen. Otherwise, the movie may have to consider other actors for the role.

2026’s Lord Of The Rings Movie Faces An Uphill Battle If Its Aragorn Plan Falls Through

The Lord Of The Rings’ 2026 Movie Will Struggle

Philippa Boyens' words aboutThe Hunt for Gollumscript indicate the pressure that the movie is facing to have Mortensen come on board as Aragorn.Viggo Mortensen joiningThe Hunt for Gollumas Aragornseems vital to its success. This is plan A, but if it fails, the movie will have to resort to a back-up scheme, which will constitute an uphill struggle.Mortensen is not just key to the narrative, but a major draw forLotRfans, so losing him may render the movie a box office disappointment. This would be a shame, as this franchise has potential.

Sauron Led 2 Devastating Attacks Off-Screen In Lord Of The Rings & 2026’s Gollum Movie Can Finally Show The Extent Of His Evil

Sauron was more vicious than even The Lord of the Rings trilogies made clear, but The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum could rectify that.

If Mortensen doesn’t join, the movie could recast the role or alter its script so that Aragorn has less importance. This may require deviating from J.R.R. Tolkien’s story, as described in the appendices toThe Lord of the Rings.Ian McKellen should appear inThe Hunt for Gollumas Gandalf, so he could take on some of Aragorn’s plot points. Perhaps, with Mortensen’s permission, the movie could use AI to edit footage and use his image in very minor scenes. However, it is most likely thatMortensen’s rejection of the part would result in a recast.

Could Recasting Aragorn In The New Lord Of The Rings Movie Really Work?

An Aragorn Recast Would Be Hugely Risky For Hunt For Gollum

Philippa Boyens appeared to suggest thatThe Hunt for Gollummay attempt to recast Aragorn if Mortensen refused the role, but it is unclear how well this would work. Boyens said “I suspect if he decides he doesn’t want to do it, we would still want him to be heavily involved,” which may suggest that Mortensen would get a say in which actor would play Aragorn if he did not. However, it could also imply that he would assist in whatever other digital solution was used to remedy his absence.

Gandalf, Frodo, and Gollum all being played by their original actors may make a recast Aragorn seem odd.

It is hard to see how recasting Aragorn would work inThe Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. It is not just Ian McKellen who indicated his interest in joining the cast ofThe Hunt for Gollum. Speaking toJoBlo, Elijah Wood said of joining the movie that"jumping back into a world that’s so beloved and means so much to me… would be awesome.“Gandalf, Frodo, and Gollum all being played by their original actors may make a recast Aragorn seem odd.A new actor would have to gel with Ian McKellenfor many scenes.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollumis being planned for release in 2026.

Meanwhile,Varietyasked Orlando Bloom if he would joinThe Hunt for Gollumas Legolas, and he said “yeah.” Legolas' role could be imminent, as he is Thranduil’s son, and Aragorn will have to bring Gollum to Thranduil’s realm inThe Hunt for Gollum.Lee Pace joiningThe Hunt for Gollumas Thranduilis heavily anticipated by fans. With Serkis playing Gollum, it seems thatmost roles in the movie wouldn’t have to be recast, so recasting Aragorn would presentThe Lord of the Rings’new Gollum movie with a big challenge.

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.