Jamie Dornan says Aragorn will always be Viggo
Published on · Updated on
In a new L’Officiel Hommes Italia interview, Jamie Dornan discusses playing Aragorn in The Hunt for Gollum and the legacy Viggo Mortensen left behind.
Jamie Dornan has discussed playing Aragorn in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum in an interview published by L’Officiel Hommes Italia on October 19, 2026. In a conversation led by his co-star Leo Woodall, the actor acknowledged the pressure of taking on a character closely associated with Viggo Mortensen and said he is not trying to outdo the earlier performance. His comments offer a clearer sense of what the casting means: a new interpretation of the role, made with respect for the work that made Aragorn one of the trilogy’s most recognizable figures.
What Dornan said about Aragorn
Dornan did not frame the recasting as a competition. He acknowledged the expectations that come with following Mortensen, but described his task as trying to recapture some of the energy his predecessor brought to the character.
“There is pressure when you follow in someone’s footsteps. But for me, Aragorn will always be Viggo.”
This is a translation from the Italian interview, limited to the relevant point. In the rest of his answer, Dornan calls Aragorn a super-iconic role, says he will do his best and describes it as an honor to recover at least part of the energy Mortensen originally brought to the character. He also says he is not trying to surpass him.
A handoff, not a contest
Mortensen became closely identified with Aragorn across Peter Jackson’s three films in the early 2000s. The change announced for the new movie therefore carries an emotional dimension beyond a routine casting update: many viewers first encountered the character through the calm presence and leadership Mortensen built in the trilogy. Dornan recognizes that weight instead of promising an imitation or a “definitive” version.
For now, his response is measured: work to find the necessary energy and accept that many fans will continue to associate Aragorn with Mortensen. The film has not been released, so there is no basis yet for judging how that approach will appear on screen.
For more film coverage, visit the Revista Pixel Movies section and its Pop Culture coverage.
The co-star who already calls Dornan Aragorn
The L’Officiel conversation was conducted by Woodall, who is also part of the cast as Halvard, another Dúnedain ranger. He said the two met in person in June at the Cambridge Hotel in Wellington, New Zealand, and that mutual friends had already predicted they would get along. The interview describes a connection built around enthusiasm for the project and Tolkien’s world, not an assessment of the film’s finished result.
Woodall summed up his confidence in his co-star by saying that, for him, his Aragorn is now Dornan. It is a supportive remark from a fellow actor, not a verdict on the finished performance or a reaction from audiences.
The publication also reports that Dornan is in New Zealand with his family while working on the movie. His presence there matches the production context described in the interview: Warner Bros. officially announced the start of filming in July. The company released a behind-the-scenes video featuring Andy Serkis, the film’s director and Gollum performer, and introduced part of the cast. The footage confirms the work setting without revealing scenes or plot details that have not been made public.
What is confirmed about The Hunt for Gollum
Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema announced the project as the first of two new films set in Middle-earth, with Serkis directing and playing Gollum. The initial statement also named Peter Jackson, Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens as producers, with Walsh and Boyens among the writers. Later, the official production-start video identified Dornan as Aragorn and Woodall as Halvard, while confirming the return of actors including Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood and Lee Pace.
Those details place the casting in context without stretching what the studio has disclosed. The title puts Gollum at the center of the project, while the interview gives Dornan room to talk about Aragorn and Woodall about Halvard. Until Warner releases a more detailed synopsis, rumors about plot points or specific scenes should not be presented as facts. What is confirmed is that Dornan will play the character in a new franchise production and that the creative team includes people associated with the earlier films.
Watch Warner Bros.’ official video about the start of production on The Hunt for Gollum on the Warner Bros. Pictures channel.
Why the comment matters before release
Talking about Mortensen’s legacy does not answer whether the new version will win over fans, but it clarifies how Dornan approaches the invitation. Rather than selling a break with the past or suggesting he will correct what came before, he recognizes the mark his colleague left. For a character whose story has crossed books, film and decades of fan discussion, that tone is information about the actor’s approach—not a promise about the artistic result.
The care also avoids turning the casting into an artificial rivalry. Mortensen’s Aragorn remains in the films already released; Dornan takes on the role in The Hunt for Gollum. They are distinct performances made at different points in the franchise. Comparisons will be inevitable once audiences see the film, but Dornan has already said his intention is not to “beat” the earlier portrayal. The full interview is available at L’OFFICIEL Hommes Italia; the studio’s project announcement is in the Warner Bros. pressroom.
Dornan’s comments show how he approaches the role: with respect for the earlier performance and without promising to replace fans’ memories. His portrayal has not been seen; audiences can make that comparison only when the film arrives.
Suggested and related articles
Lanterns VFX reveals hidden effects
Sukiyaki: the song behind Tokyo’s festival opener
Lord and Miller leave Star Wars return open
Paramount Completes Warner Acquisition and Reshapes Hollywood
The Batman Part II Halts Production as Reeves Steps Away
