Viggo Mortensen in Talks to Return as Aragorn in New Lord of the Rings Film

A quarter-century after first wielding Andúril, Viggo Mortensen might once again don the weathered garb of Aragorn. The casting process has begun for "The Hunt for Gollum," a new Lord of the Rings film to be directed by Andy Serkis, who famously brought Gollum to life in the original trilogy.

Middle-earth's Expanding Universe

J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy realm is experiencing a remarkable renaissance. While fans eagerly await the December 13 release of the anime "War of the Rohirrim" and Amazon's "Rings of Power" continues production on its third season, the most exciting development comes from a partnership between New Line Cinema and Warner Bros. Pictures - a live-action film that will explore the events leading up to "The Fellowship of the Ring."

Serkis Takes the Helm

Andy Serkis is set to pull double duty on the project, both directing and reprising his role as Gollum. The film will be written by original trilogy screenwriters Philippa Boyens and Fran Walsh, with Peter Jackson joining as producer. While Serkis is currently the only confirmed cast member, the production team has their sights set on bringing back a crucial member of the fellowship.

The Quest to Bring Back Aragorn

Philippa Boyens recently spoke about the significance of Aragorn's role in the new film and their hopes for Mortensen's return. The story begins with Gandalf sending Aragorn to track down Gollum, fearing the creature might reveal the One Ring's location to Sauron.

"To be honest, this entirely depends on Viggo," Boyens explained. "We're in very early stages of collaboration. Viggo has spoken with Andy, Peter, and myself. I honestly can't imagine anyone else playing Aragorn. But ultimately, it's Viggo's decision."

Bridging Past and Present

The 66-year-old Mortensen's potential return would be pivotal to the project's success. Boyens emphasized that they're not approaching this as merely a technical exercise in de-aging through AI: "This is about digital makeup, and Viggo's participation will depend entirely on the quality of the script."

The film is designed to serve as a bridge between familiar events, taking place after Bilbo's 111th birthday party but before the Fellowship enters the Mines of Moria. "This is intentionally crafted as a bridge film," Boyens noted. "While it centers on Gollum/Smeagol and includes origin elements, it reveals the intricate layers of interconnected storytelling that Professor Tolkien was known for."