Viggo Mortensen’s Potential Return May Create Problem for Lord of the Rings’ Gollum Movie
The Lord of the Rings franchise is experiencing a resurgence, with multiple projects in the works, including The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, set to release in 2026. The movie, directed by Andy Serkis, will star Serkis as Gollum and explore events between Bilbo’s birthday party and the Fellowship’s journey to Moria. However, Viggo Mortensen’s potential return as Aragorn could create an obstacle.
All the original actors from the Lord of the Rings franchise have aged significantly since the last film, which could be noticeable and distracting in The Hunt for Gollum, particularly for characters like Aragorn. The fact that the movie is set during the events of The Fellowship of the Ring means that the characters should look the same as they did in the 2001 film. Recasting or using technology to de-age actors could be the solution.
Philippa Boyens, a producer on The Hunt for Gollum, has already asked Viggo Mortensen to join the cast, but Mortensen’s return could prove challenging. The movie could opt for a younger lookalike actor to play Aragorn, addressing the aging issue. Alternatively, AI technology could be used to de-age the actors, as Andy Serkis has expressed confidence in its ability to handle age-related concerns.
Despite the potential challenges, Mortensen’s presence could bring a level of authenticity to the film, and Boyens has stated that she would still want Aragorn in the movie if Mortensen doesn’t return. Ultimately, the fate of Aragorn’s character in The Hunt for Gollum remains to be seen, but one thing is certain – the Lord of the Rings franchise is full of possibilities.