Jamie Dornan Says He Cried After Landing Aragorn Role

On November 11, Jamie Dornan spoke about taking on Aragorn in the upcoming Gollum-focused Middle-earth film, a new installment in the fantasy franchise. He said he cried when he learned he had been cast, calling the role a dream and an honor because of the character’s importance to fans and his admiration for Viggo Mortensen’s performance in the original films.

Dornan said filming had finished about three weeks earlier and was an extraordinary experience. He hopes audiences will welcome the new story into the franchise, recognizing how much people care about it, and said he hopes the cast and crew have done a good job.

He has also acknowledged feeling pressure to follow Mortensen, while saying he is not trying to surpass him. Dornan described Mortensen’s portrayal as one of his favorite performances and said he was honored to try to recapture some of its energy.

Andy Serkis is directing and will return as Gollum. The cast also includes Ian McKellen as Gandalf, Elijah Wood as Frodo, Lee Pace as King Thranduil, Kate Winslet, Leo Woodall and Anya Taylor-Joy.

Serkis has described the film as taking place in the period separating the two Middle-earth trilogies. It will explore Gollum’s history and psychology, alongside Gandalf’s questions about the ring Bilbo Baggins found. The film is scheduled to open in theaters on December 17, 2027.