Lord of the Rings fans blast ‘disrespect’ of recasting major character with rom-com heartthrob

Lord of the Rings fans are making their fury known following confirmation that a huge character is set to be recast.

Currently slated for release in December 2027, The Hunt for Gollum will transport cinemagoers back to J.

Tolkien’s Middle-earth to explore an untold chapter.

Running parallel to The Fellowship of the Ring (2001), it will follow Gandalf and Aragorn’s hunt for Gollum after he escaped from Mordor.

While this isn’t a new storyline as such, the events took place mostly off-screen in the original movies.

The upcoming fantasy flick will welcome back Andy Serkis as both director and, of course, to play Gollum, while Sir Ian McKellen will reprise his legendary role of Gandalf.

An actor who won’t be back, however, is Viggo Mortensen, whose expert portrayal of protagonist Aragorn in the trilogy scored him international recognition and numerous awards.

So, when it was revealed that Aragorn will be played by another star for the next outing, it’d be an understatement to say devout fans had strong opinions.

Speaking in a new interview with ScreenRant, Serkis addressed the casting: ‘I don’t know what’s out there at the moment, but I know there’s a lot of speculation, but let’s just say we are recasting the role, and we are on the way to finding someone.’
There’s no denying that Mortensen, 67, is synonymous with the warrior; hence, long-time viewers are fearing the worst when it comes to choosing who will step into his shoes.

This comes despite the actor himself saying in 2024 that it would be ‘silly’ to play Aragorn again if he weren’t ‘right’ for it, due to his age.

Taking to X, @DrealMb declared Mortensen as ‘unforgettable’ in the part, demanding only ‘the best’ to succeed him.

‘Nobody can top Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn,’ stated @MadsPosting, with @ReyClipz saying that while it ‘makes sense’ for him to be recast, since the film is essentially a prequel and Mortensen is in his late sixties, ‘they really just should have left [it] alone’.

‘Nobody can replace Viggo and they shouldn’t try to.’
Plenty are echoing that view, with @TheManlet_King begging, ‘Please just don’t make this’, and @PalmyrPar adding: ‘There’s no purpose in it at this point’.

‘As expected but still very big shoes to fill’, tweeted @SavinTheBees.

‘this is the franchise EVERYONE knows you should not touch, and not only are you going to do that, but you’re also gonna f**k with it’s most beloved character??

you guys are ASKING for backlash’, raged @toofarST.

Who will play Aragorn in The Hunt for Gollum?

Appearing on Josh Horowitz’s podcast, Elijah Wood, who played hobbit Frodo Baggins, was happy to entertain the idea of rom-com heartthrob Leo Woodall taking on the role.

‘It’s a tough act to follow for someone to play Aragorn, but Leo Woodall, if that’s true…’, Horowitz began.

‘That is true,’ Wood responded, although he started laughing immediately after, making it unclear whether he was confirming Woodall’s hiring, or agreeing that it is, indeed, difficult for anyone to play the part after Mortensen.

He added: ‘That is tough.

I can’t imagine.

But that’s gonna be great.’
A clip of the moment soon surfaced on social media, with fans undeniably angry at even the mere conjecture.

@getrichordietri said it would be ‘disrespectful’ to cast Woodall, 29, best known for The White Lotus, Bridget Jones: Mad About the Boy, and most recently, Netflix’s Vladimir.

Do you think Leo Woodall should play Aragorn?Comment Now
Others branded it a ‘downgrade’, with @LilDivmond saying their interest has now ‘dropped significantly’.

Although it wasn’t all negativity, as @julian_lyngaas noted Woodall does ‘look like’ the original star, and @Robbiepierce rejoiced: ‘Finally giving us a hot Aragorn, prayer is real y’all’.

It was also claimed that Woodall is simply ‘too pretty’ to play the ranger, which we’re sure is a compliment in some way.

Who else is in The Hunt for Gollum?

The 50-year-old Titanic actress is set to play a ‘female lead’, but further details are being kept under lock and key.

Deadline reported that Serkis and Peter Jackson spent most of last year coaxing Winslet to agree to the film, which she will film in New Zealand from May to October.

Along with Serkis, 61, and Sir Ian, 86, Wood, 45, has also strongly hinted that he’ll be back, as he doesn’t want another actor playing Frodo.

In a new interview with The Times this month, Wood was directly asked if he would appear in the upcoming Warner Bros.

project, to which he smiled in response.

‘It hasn’t been officially announced, but at a convention last August, Ian sort of let the cat out of the bag,’ he began.

‘So there is a good chance.

I’m not able to officially say anything until it’s announced, but I will say I’m thrilled with the prospect of another film.

‘It’s always a little nerve-racking when people talk about new movies for a world like Middle-earth.

Everyone gets a little protective and hopes it retains its level of integrity, but this story is fun, thrilling.

‘There is a genuine feeling of getting the band back together.

I’m just excited.’
The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027.
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