Jamie Dornan Says He Cried After Landing Aragorn Role in ‘The Hunt for Gollum’

Jamie Dornan says the moment he learned he had been cast as Aragorn in “The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum” moved him to tears. Speaking to Entertainment Tonight, the actor described the opportunity as a dream and an honor, especially because he is taking on a character closely associated with Viggo Mortensen’s performance in the original films. “I cried. I actually cried,” Dornan said when asked about his reaction to the casting news. He added that he felt grateful to enter a world that means so much to audiences and to portray a figure admired by fans. Dornan also praised Mortensen’s work, saying the role and the earlier performance hold a special place for him. The actor said filming the new installment was an “incredible” experience and that he had finished shooting about three weeks before the interview. He described having a brilliant time on set, while acknowledging that many viewers care deeply about the franchise. Dornan said he hopes audiences will welcome the film and feel the team has done a good job. In an earlier interview with L’Officiel, Dornan spoke about the pressure of following Mortensen in the role. He said he was not trying to outdo his predecessor and called Mortensen’s interpretation one of his favorite performances. Dornan said he felt honored to try to recapture some of the energy Mortensen brought to Aragorn. Andy Serkis directed the film, which is scheduled to arrive in theaters on Dec. 17, 2027. The cast also includes returning franchise actors Ian McKellen, Elijah Wood and Lee Pace, alongside new additions Kate Winslet, Leo Woodall and Anya Taylor-Joy, according to the report.