“For me, Aragorn will always be just Viggo. His performance is one of my all-time favorites.”
The film, which unfolds between *The Hobbit* and *The Lord of the Rings*, will explore the quest of Gandalf and Aragorn as they pursue Sméagol throughout Middle-earth, seeking to ascertain if the ring he possesses is indeed Sauron’s One Ring. This narrative is briefly outlined in Tolkien’s novel, *The Fellowship of the Ring*, but the movie aims to expand these events into a comprehensive story.
Joining Dornan is Leo Woodall, known for his roles in *White Lotus* and *One Day*, who will play Halvard, a fellow Dúnedain Ranger. Lee Pace returns as Thranduil, the Elvenking, while Andy Serkis not only reprises his role as Gollum but also takes on directing duties. Iconic characters will also see the return of Sir Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo.
Viggo Mortensen has expressed his support for Dornan’s casting, noting that he is “thrilled” with the choice. Mortensen has previously indicated he would only revisit Aragorn if the role suited him, expressing reservations about digital de-aging technologies, like those used in *The Irishman*.
“There’s no part of me that’s trying to outdo him,” Dornan said of Mortensen’s portrayal.
Filming commenced earlier this year, with glimpses of the production shared, including images of Serkis in motion capture gear. Meanwhile, Peter Jackson confirmed that *The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past* is in the scriptwriting phase, despite rumors of its cancellation after the Paramount-Warner Bros. merger.
Article Source: www.ign.com
