“The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” Has Reportedly Found Its Aragorn Star
Warner Bros. is moving forward with its new Middle-earth project, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, and rumors suggest that British actor Leo Woodall will take on the role of Aragorn, also known as Strider.
Woodall, who recently starred alongside Rachel Weisz in Netflix’s Vladimir, has been linked to the character that Viggo Mortensen famously portrayed in Peter Jackson’s original trilogy. According to The Guardian, Woodall even pretended to play Aragorn as a child, making the casting feel like a full-circle moment.
Knight Edge Media first reported in late 2025 that Mortensen would not be returning for the new film. The studio reportedly wanted a younger actor and began meetings in November 2025 under the code name “Milkey.”
The search intentionally avoided big-name stars such as Henry Cavill or Ben Barnes. While Warner Bros. has not officially confirmed Woodall in the role, production is set to begin this May in Wellington, New Zealand.
The film is part of a new slate of live-action Lord of the Rings movies following Embracer Group’s acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises. In May 2024, Warner Bros. and New Line announced two new projects in development, with Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Philippa Boyens producing.
The Hunt for Gollum is the first of these films, directed by Andy Serkis and written by Walsh, Boyens, Peter Gittins, and Irena Papageorgiou. Boyens explained in October 2024, “We’ve begun to work, conceptually, on two different live-action films. The first being The Hunt for Gollum, the second one still to be confirmed.”
Filming is scheduled for this year in Wellington, which has been confirmed as the production hub. Sir Ian McKellen has also indicated he would consider returning as Gandalf, though it is unclear which other original cast members might reprise their roles. The movie is expected to hit theaters on December 17, 2027.
If these reports are accurate, Leo Woodall’s casting signals a fresh start for Aragorn in this new Middle-earth chapter. What do you think about Woodall stepping into the role once played by Viggo Mortensen? Share your thoughts in the comments.
