By Salma El-Sakka
Jamie Dornan has acknowledged the pressure of stepping into the role of Aragorn for the upcoming film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," following Viggo Mortensen's celebrated portrayal in Peter Jackson's original trilogy.
Dornan addresses iconic legacy
Speaking to Italian publication L'Officiel, Dornan said he understands the weight of expectation that comes with playing the character. "There's pressure when you're trying to follow in those footsteps," he said. "I've been asked to play a super-iconic role, and I'll do my best."
The actor added that he has no intention of trying to surpass Mortensen's performance. "For me, Aragorn will always be just Viggo. His performance is one of my all-time favorites, and I feel honored to try to recapture at least some of the energy he originally brought to the character. There's no part of me that's trying to outdo him."
Original cast members returning
Several actors from the earlier films will reprise their roles in the new movie, directed by Andy Serkis, who portrayed Gollum. They include Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo Baggins, and Lee Pace as Thranduil.
Story timeline and production
Set between "The Hobbit" trilogy and "The Fellowship of the Ring," the film follows Aragorn's pursuit of Gollum before the creature can reveal the One Ring's location to Sauron. The screenplay is written by Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, writers of the original trilogy, alongside Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou.
Serkis said in a statement earlier this year that the film continues the tradition of assembling formidable talent for Middle-earth productions.
Mortensen's previous comments
In May 2024, Mortensen told GQ he was unaware of the story and would only return if he fit the character given his current age. He later told The Hollywood Reporter he would consider returning if it made sense for the script.
Release date
"The Hunt for Gollum" is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027.
