Jamie Dornan as Aragorn in new Lord Of The Rings film ‘The Hunt For Gollum’ gets mixed reaction

Published on 15/04/2026 - 15:23 GMT+2

It is a truth universally acknowledged that Hollywood just can’t leave things be when it comes to successful IPs, as evidenced with the news of a Weapons prequel, and once more with the upcoming Lord Of The Rings prequel, The Lord Of The Rings: The Hunt For Gollum.

Opinions are split. Many can’t wait to get back to Middle Earth. Others are bemoaning the fact that a prequel robs the narrative of any suspense and that the original trilogy helmed by Peter Jackson has been through enough due to The Hobbit trilogy – which stretched a 300-page book into three middling films clocking in at a total of over nine hours.

The new film will be directed by Andy Serkis, whose motion-capture performance as Gollum was one of the highlights of the original trilogy (2001-2003). It is reportedly set shortly before Frodo Baggins leaves the Shire for Rivendell.

Now, some casting news has dropped - revealed at yesterday’s CinemaCon presentation.

Some stars are returning... Some are not.

Elijah Wood will reprise his role as Frodo and the great Ian McKellen returns as Gandalf. Lee Pace, who played Thranduil in The Hobbit, is back. And of course, Serkis is Gollum once more. Peter Jackson will also return as producer.

New LOTR faces include Kate Winslet, who will play Marigol; Leo Woodall as Halvard; and Jamie Dornan has been confirmed to play Aragon / Strider - following the news that original star Viggo Mortensen would not be returning to the role.

The Irish star, best known for playing Christian Grey in the Fifty Shades of Grey trilogy and the excellent BBC crime drama The Fall, will have some big shoes to fill... And the internet is split on him playing Aragon.

Some fans have called the casting decision a “bold move”, while others have reminded critics quite how good Dornan was in The Fall and Belfast ...

Others, however, have been reminding everyone that “there’s only one true King of Gondor”.

Check out some of the reactions below:

"No offence, but can Jamie Dornan make opening a door look this slutty? I don't think so."

We're inclined to agree. But let's wait and see what unconscionably filthy door-pushing skills Dornan has... We may yet be pleasantly surprised.

Production on The Hunt For Gollum is set to begin in May. It will hit theatres on 17 December 2027.