The Grey Pilgrim continues to be the best source of new info on the new LOTR film.
Ian Mckellen visited Stephen Colbert’s Late Show this week for a very fun interview. The newest information he leaked is that filming on the new solo movie begins in…
“July, which is unfortunate, because it’s winter down there in New Zealand, and I’m not sure I want to be out there in the wind and the rain… And yes, I put on the pointy hat and the beard and the nose and the eyebrows and the mustache.”
Andy Serkis is directing the live action prequel, set between The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Ring.
Watch to the end to see Ian Mckellen recite his speech from the Shakespeare character he originated. You can also see Mckellen on Broadway in a new Augmented Reality AR glasses theatre experience called An Ark.
Sources close to production say auditions are currently happening in London and Wellington, as revealed on the latest TORN Tuesday episode. 60 second clip below.
Andy Serkis is directing the next big The Lord of the Rings movie, currently titled ‘The Hunt for Gollum’ – a title which will be familiar to fans, from a well-known fan film made 15 years ago. Produced by Peter Jackson and written by the Oscar winning team of Fran Walsh, Philippa Boyens, and Rohirrim writers Phoebe Gittins and Arty Papageorgiou, The Hunt for Gollum is set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings.
Since the announcement of the new movie, fan discussion has been split about whether to recast or de-age the original actors. Some fans were put off by the obvious “Golden Girls” soft filters applied to Legolas in The Hobbit movies; other fans consider the original actors from the 25 year old LOTR movies the definitive versions of these characters. BTS video in The Appendices shows the commitment actors put into these roles.
A Chance for Book Accuracy
From the wonderful wiki Tolkien Gateway page on the book character, “Aragorn is described as “lean, dark, and tall,” with “a shaggy head of dark hair flecked with grey, and in a pale stern face a pair of keen grey eyes.”[45]Tolkien later wrote that he was at least 6’6″. In recent shows, Cliff & Justin have started championing a more eastern Mediterranean look for Aragorn that adheres closer to the book descriptions. JRR Tolkien doesn’t often describe the looks of characters, but Aragorn has specific traits that imply his Numenorian blood. Ralph Bakshi’s animated Aragorn is seen with Native American influences, and Magic The Gathering’s Aragorn was a brand new take. Maybe the movie casting should consider the rich diaspora of renditions of Aragorn, especially since this movie is set during his Strider / Ranger days. Oscar winner Riz Ahmed, Oscar nominee Dev Patel, or fan favorite Rahul Kohli would all make for an exceptional Aragorn, with all the emotional depth Tolkien’s character requires.
Too Old for a Numenorian?
Additional feedback from anonymous sources close to casting say that actors Sebastian Stan or Ben Barnes are “too old for the written character” – which is funny, given that Aragorn was original played by Stuart Townsend before he was replaced by the older Viggo Mortensen. Fans have long been fancasting actors like Ben Barnes or Sebastian Stan as young Aragorn.
Why has Viggo Mortensen passed on playing Aragorn again 25 years later? Earlier in 2024 while promoting his film The Dead Don’t Hurt he said, “I like playing that character. I learned a lot playing the character. I enjoyed it a lot. I would only do it if I was right for it in terms of, you know, the age I am now and so forth. I would only do it if I was right for the character. It would be silly to do it otherwise.” In an earlier interview from 2017, Viggo Mortensen expanded on his 2014 comments that he felt The Hobbit was too CGI for his tastes.
“It’s personal taste. I personally like the extended version of the first movie because it was less computer generated, had more scenes one-on-one and [there were] lesser liberties taken, let’s say – that happens to be my preference. It still had the spirit of Tolkien, they had that nailed down all the way – it’s just my preference in the way I read him and I feel like the first one was more representative.”
It’s almost certain The Hunt for Gollum will be using more CGI and the latest in digital filmmaking, incorporating Weta Digital’s expertise from making 3 Avatar movies on mocap stages and the latest AI frame generation that Peter Jackson won Emmys for with The Beatles: Get Back. Andy Serkis and Peter Jackson have both expressed their affinity for the latest in AI tools, so there is no doubt this new movie will lean into new technologies.
Big Name or Unknown Actor?
Rumors really started to heat up in December 2025 when respected leakers at Knight Edge Media confirmed recasting was taking place. This aligns with gossip TheOneRing.net has heard – including that there is a favorite actor but we have not heard who it is. Further casting now in January 2026 may imply that initial choice passed because of scheduling conflicts. He must be a busy actor!
Aragorn Will Be Recast in 'Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum' (EXCLUSIVE) – (via @KnightEdgeMedia)
Today, we at Knight Edge Media have learned exclusively that the character of Aragorn will be recast with a younger actor in the upcoming Lord of the Rings spin-off film, … pic.twitter.com/k5yo153h3b
Extra whispers are that Andy Serkis is looking for someone Joe Keery’s age (from Stranger Things, the hottest show of the last 10 years); these actor options really expand the field. Fans have been reacting to the news about recasting Aragorn for the last week with equal enthusiasm and trepidation. It still is 50/50 on expectations. While we’re here, could the Sprouse twins be considered for Elrond’s twin sons? Dylan Sprouse is a huge LOTR fan and been on TORN’s podcast in the past.
Instagram and X fans are tagging their wish lists.
BREAKING 🚨: Aragorn to Be Recast for “The Hunt for Gollum” as Auditions Begin in London and New Zealand 🎥
During The One Ring Net (@theoneringnet) TORN Tuesday chat on January 6, it was revealed that Aragorn is being recast for “The Hunt for Gollum,” with auditions currently… pic.twitter.com/XJQ8aHrWpE
I still think they should bring Viggo back as an older Aragorn telling this story to their kids after return of the king & doing
Andrew Lincoln would be great since they look very similar but if it takes place in the 20 yrs prior to The Fellowship movie that might throw it off💀 https://t.co/ShnqBWKLXFpic.twitter.com/YwKPvltarz
They're looking for a younger actor for Aragorn in 'The Hunt for Gollum,' but what about Henry Cavill? He's a huge Lord of the Rings fan he watches the extended editions as his comfort movies, named his dog Baggins, and has said it's his all time favorite series. With that… https://t.co/U7mNiMoPVbpic.twitter.com/zeP0O3d4ym
So… Netflix just bought Warner Bros. (Pending regulatory approval…) We all knew WB was up for sale, but Netflix coming out on top was a bit of a plot twist. [Press Release]
Like us, Ringers across the world are asking what this means for Middle-earth on film. Do the rights change? Does this affect ‘Hunt for Gollum?’ Will we be watching the Extended Editions on Netflix next week? We decided to put a little list together to help walk through the big questions fans are already asking and what we actually know.
Does Netflix now own Lord of the Rings?
Nope. That is unless they are buying Embracer… (Which they aren’t)
The core adaptation, merchandising, and related rights are with Embracer’s Middle‑earth Enterprises. WB has been the licensee making the films. Netflix is just buying the parent company that owns the studio which holds that license. Yes, that’s a big deal, but it doesn’t magically move the Tolkien IP to Netflix.
Think of it like Netflix now owns the workshop where Middle-earth movies get built, but not the blueprints.
Does this affect the movies Warner Bros/New Line already made?
Yes – but not in a scary way. The Peter Jackson trilogies, the Hobbit films, and the War of the Rohirrim anime all stay with the studio. Since Netflix is buying the studio, that whole library goes with it. So yes, Netflix now owns those. (Again, once the deal is complete)
Once contracts with other streaming services expire, Netflix will probably want LOTR on their own platform. It’s the Arkenstone, and Netflix likes shiny things.
Middle-earth came to San Diego Comic-con once again this year.
Jed Brophy meets the Nazgûl and Eowyn
TheOneRing.net booth was a hub of activity. Guests included actor Jed Brophy who was Nori in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit movies, as well he played multiple characters in The Lord of the Rings and The Rings of Power. He regaled us with many fascinating and funny tales about his on-set experiences as he signed autographs. Graham McTavish, Dwalin in The Hobbit movies, stopped by for a visit and a chat, as did multiple Oscar winner Sir Richard Taylor of WETA Workshop. Nerd of the Rings, also shared the booth along with some lore with all who were curious. A variety of Middle-earth cosplayers dropped by, displaying incredible talent and hard work.
Graham McTavish & Jed Brophy
Cliff Broadway, Sir Richard Taylor, Jed BrophyDavid Baxter, Jed Brophy, Kellie Rice
TORN created several new T-shirts for the event: Bilbo from The Hobbit animated film smoking a pipe – the first official merchandise from that movie; “The Prancing Pony Club”, featuring a pink pony with a glittery silver mane and tail designed by TORN’s Green Dragon, and The Happy Hobbit’s “Seasons of the Shire”. In addition there were coins from The Shire Post, lovely fabric products from Oscha Slings, and stained glass window clings from Geek Orthodox Art.
