Jamie Dornan on replacing Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in The Hunt for Gollum
Jamie Dornan told L'Officiel there is "pressure" in following Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum", saying he is not trying to outdo him. The film, directed by Andy Serkis, is due on December 17, 2027.
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The story, neutrally told
Mixed · 2Jamie Dornan, who is taking over the role of Aragorn from Viggo Mortensen in "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum", has spoken publicly about following Mortensen in the part. /FilmN “Now, Dornan is speaking out about stepping into those rather large shoes.” Read at /Film ↗ VarietyLC “Jamie Dornan is stepping into the shoes of Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum,”” Read at Variety ↗ Mixed · 2In an interview with L'Officiel, which Variety says was translated by Slash Film, Dornan said: "There's pressure when you're trying to follow in those footsteps." VarietyLC “Dornan spoke to L’Officiel (translated by Slash Film) about taking on the role” Read at Variety ↗ /FilmN “There's pressure when you're trying to follow in those footsteps.” Read at /Film ↗ Mixed · 2He added that "Aragorn will always be just Viggo", called Mortensen's performance one of his all-time favourites, and said he felt honoured to try to recapture some of its energy, adding "There's no part of me that's trying to outdo him." /FilmN “His performance is one of my all-time favorites, and I feel honored to try to recapture at least some of the energy he originally brought to the character.” Read at /Film ↗ VarietyLC “There’s no part of me that’s trying to outdo him,” Dornan said.” Read at Variety ↗
Mixed · 2Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the original trilogy, directs and stars in the film, taking over from Peter Jackson, who remains involved as a writer and producer. /FilmN “Jackson is still involved as a writer and producer.” Read at /Film ↗ VarietyLC ““The Hunt for Gollum” is directed by and stars Andy Serkis” Read at Variety ↗ Mixed · 2The standalone film follows Gandalf sending a young Aragorn, then a lonely hunter known as Strider, to find Gollum; /Film says it is set during the events of "The Fellowship of the Ring". VarietyLC “Gandalf sends a young Aragorn out to find the corrupted hobbit.” Read at Variety ↗ /FilmN “It's set during the events of "The Fellowship of the Ring,"” Read at /Film ↗ Left · 1Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo return, and Variety lists Kate Winslet, Leo Woodall, Lee Pace and Anya Taylor-Joy as newcomers. VarietyLC “brings back Ian McKellen as Gandalf and Elijah Wood as Frodo”“Newcomers include Kate Winslet, Leo Woodall, Lee Pace and Anya Taylor-Joy.” Read at Variety ↗
Centre · 1/Film reports that, according to Serkis, Mortensen has given Dornan his approval, and that the filmmakers chose a younger actor rather than de-age Mortensen; it also quotes Woodall as saying "my Aragorn is Jamie Dornan". /FilmN “According to Serkis, the actor has given Dornan his seal of approval.”“going with a younger actor made the most sense in this case” Read at /Film ↗ Centre · 1The film is scheduled for release in theatres on December 17, 2027. /FilmN “"The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" hits theaters on December 17, 2027.” Read at /Film ↗
Every sentence links to the reporting it rests on. The pill in front of each says where its sources sit: Left, Centre or Right when one side supplies at least half of them, Mixed when they are evenly split. The number is how many outlets it cites.
Left1 outlet
- Framing
- Variety presents a short news item built around Dornan's quote, with cast and production background.
- Emphasis
- The 'pressure' quote, Serkis's directing role, the cast list and the film's premise.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not mention Mortensen's reported approval, the earlier firing of Stuart Townsend, or the release date.
- Charged language
- “famously played”
- For example
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“after the hero was famously played by Viggo Mortensen in the original “LOTR” trilogy” — Variety
Centre1 outlet
- Framing
- /Film frames it as Dornan breaking silence on the recasting, with added context on the production.
- Emphasis
- Mortensen's reported blessing, Serkis replacing Jackson as director, Townsend's earlier firing, and the release date.
- Leaves out or plays down
- Does not list the newcomers such as Kate Winslet and Anya Taylor-Joy.
- Charged language
- “Breaks Silence”“rather large shoes”
- For example
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“Now, Dornan is speaking out about stepping into those rather large shoes.” — /Film
Right0 outlets
No right outlet in our sources has covered this story yet.
What every side reports
- Jamie Dornan is replacing Viggo Mortensen as Aragorn in The Hunt for Gollum.
- Dornan told L'Officiel there is pressure in following Mortensen and that he is not trying to outdo him.
- Andy Serkis directs the film.
- Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood return as Gandalf and Frodo.
Jamie Dornan person
Says he feels pressure but honour, defers to Mortensen's portrayal and says he is not trying to outdo it.
“There’s no part of me that’s trying to outdo him,” Dornan said.” — Variety
Viggo Mortensen person
Per Serkis as reported by /Film, he has given Dornan his seal of approval; Mortensen is not quoted directly.
“According to Serkis, the actor has given Dornan his seal of approval.” — /Film
Left1 article
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Neutral Reports Dornan's quote and gives factual production background.
Centre1 article
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/FilmN ·
The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum Star Jamie Dornan Breaks Silence On Aragorn Recasting
Sympathetic Treats the recasting as a difficult task for Dornan and stresses his respect for Mortensen.
Right0 articles
No coverage yet.
- 27 Oct 23:00 First /FilmN The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum Star Jamie Dornan Breaks Silence On Aragorn Recasting
- 28 Oct 15:02 +16h 3m VarietyLC Jamie Dornan Says There’s ‘Pressure’ to Taking Over Aragorn Role in ‘Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum’: I’m Not ‘Trying to Outdo’ Viggo Mortensen
Times are when each article was published, or when we first saw it if the outlet gave no time.
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