Hunt for Gollum Producer Hopes This LOTR Star Returns (and It’s Crucial They Do)

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As a long-time fan of the Lord of the Rings franchise and having grown up with Aragorn as one of my favorite characters, I am both excited and hopeful about the possibility of Viggo Mortensen reprising his iconic role in The Hunt for Gollum. Having watched him bring Aragorn to life on the big screen, it’s hard to imagine anyone else taking on that mantle.

Philippa Boyens, co-creator of the “Lord of the Rings” series alongside Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh, expressed hope in an interview with The Playlist that original trilogy actor Viggo Mortensen will return for the upcoming film “The Hunt for Gollum.” In the excerpt released on Wednesday, Boyens revealed that Aragorn plays a significant role in the new movie, hinting at her intention to bring Mortensen back to reprise his iconic role.

As a fervent supporter of the Lord of the Rings saga, I’ve been eagerly following the discussions surrounding The Hunt for Gollum. Yet, there seems to be no definitive news about the cast. Interestingly, just this week, Fran Walsh, one of the filmmakers, hinted that the decision might actually rest with Viggo Mortensen himself. Intriguingly, she mentioned during an interview that if he were to return, it would be a collaborative decision among us creators and we are currently at a very early stage. She even went on to say that, while I can’t envision any other actor embodying Aragorn, the final decision will be entirely up to Viggo himself. It’s an exciting time for all fans as we wait to see what Viggo decides.

Previously, Mortensen stated that he believes “Viggo, Andy [Serkis], and Peter [Jackson] have all discussed this, and I must admit, it’s hard for me to envision anyone else embodying Aragorn. However, the ultimate decision will rest solely with Viggo.” Boyens hinted that advanced CGI de-aging technology could potentially address this issue, but it remains undetermined how Mortensen feels about this solution.

“Viggo Mortensen Explains Why He Doesn’t Often Star in Sequels: ‘They Aren’t Typically High Quality’

“I know Andy wants to work with him, but also, we don’t see this as like, using A.I. [technology], this is about a digital make-up, and whether Viggo does it or will entirely depends on how good the script is,” she said. “And he doesn’t have a script yet. So to be fair to Viggo, let’s see if we write a good enough role and that he can find enough in it to see that it’s a performance he wants to take on. After that, it’ll be between Viggo and Andy of how that is achieved.”

As a passionate movie enthusiast, if Mortensen decides against playing the role, my directorial team and I would still wish for him to remain deeply involved in the project, such as figuring out an elegant way to pass the torch. However, that significant decision is still several months down the line. Once he gets his hands on the script, that’s exactly what I’ll be focusing on once this interview concludes [laughs].

What is The Hunt for Gollum About?

Given that I’m still deep into the writing phase and the main cast hasn’t been finalized yet, it feels a bit optimistic for “The Hunt for Gollum” to hit theaters in 2026 as planned. This film is anticipated to span a compact timeline within the narrative of “The Fellowship of the Ring.” It would commence post-Bilbo’s 111th birthday celebration, where Gandalf started harboring suspicions that the magical ring, now with Frodo, could indeed be the One Ring.

In the thrilling movie adaptation, events unfold swiftly within approximately four minutes that might initially perplex fans. I, as a captivated viewer, found myself in a whirlwind of excitement as Gandalf departed from Bilbo’s festive gathering to delve into a dusty library, hidden somewhere beyond the Shire’s borders. Simultaneously, chilling echoes of Gollum’s tormented cries for “Shire! Baggins!” reverberated, while the ominous Nazgûl mounted their steeds and rode forth.

In both instances, the pursuit of Gollum by Gandalf and Aragorn transpires off-camera, with the novel providing some insight into the duration that elapsed. This crucial moment in this epic fantasy is ripe for a movie adaptation, particularly given the talented cast involved. Opinions among commentators are somewhat divided as to whether Mortensen should reprise his role after so many years, but there’s a strong desire to see him don his leather gear once more.

The epic trilogy known as “The Lord of the Rings” is now available for streaming on Max. The upcoming movie “The Hunt for Gollum” is in its initial stages and anticipated to debut in 2026. This month offers an opportunity to revisit Middle-earth, as “The War of the Rohirrim” hits theaters on December 13th, 2024.

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2024-12-04 23:10