By C. J. De Mel, Jadetimes News
Viggo Mortensen Reflects on Reprising His Role as Aragorn
Viggo Mortensen, known for his iconic portrayal of Aragorn in Peter Jackson's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy, has recently addressed the possibility of returning to Middle earth in the upcoming film "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum." Directed by Andy Serkis, this new addition to the franchise has fans eagerly anticipating the return of beloved characters.
In an interview with GQ, Mortensen expressed openness to reprising his role, but emphasized that the story would need to do justice to Aragorn and consider his current age. Mortensen shared,
"Sure. I don't know exactly what the story is; I haven't heard. Maybe I'll hear about it eventually. 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."
Challenges of an Aragorn Return
A significant challenge for Mortensen’s return as Aragorn, or any original cast member, in "The Hunt for Gollum" is the passage of over 20 years since the original trilogy concluded. Mortensen was in his early to mid 40s during the release of Jackson's films, and he is now 65. The anticipated storyline for "The Hunt for Gollum" likely draws from J.R.R. Tolkien's appendices, focusing on the two decades following Frodo's acquisition of the Ring, during which Gandalf and Aragorn hunt Gollum to prevent him from revealing information to Sauron. This period aligns with Aragorn's age in "The Fellowship of the Ring," presenting a potential continuity issue given Mortensen’s current age.
Potential Solutions and Recasting Dilemmas
Accounting for Mortensen’s age in the new film could be a significant obstacle. Mortensen himself hinted that this might be a deal breaker if not addressed properly. Recasting Aragorn would introduce its own set of challenges, as many fans regard Mortensen's portrayal as definitive. Finding an actor who can match Mortensen’s performance and seamlessly integrate into the established narrative would be difficult.
"The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum" faces substantial hurdles, primarily due to the intended timeline overlap with Jackson’s films. Whether Mortensen will ultimately return remains uncertain, but his openness to the idea keeps the possibility alive for fans.
Viggo Mortensen’s potential return as Aragorn in "The Hunt for Gollum" is an exciting yet complex prospect. The film’s success hinges on balancing continuity with the original trilogy and addressing the natural passage of time for its iconic characters. As the project develops, fans will eagerly await further announcements regarding the beloved ranger's return to the big screen.
