Jamie Dornan Says His Aragorn in 'The Hunt for Gollum' Will Show a Different Side of Strider

Aragorn, from his memorable introduction at the Prancing Pony in Bree all the way through to his coronation in Minas Tirith, has been one of The Lord of the Rings' most enduring characters, and he was brought to life in iconic fashion by Viggo Mortensen in Peter Jackson's beloved trilogy. So now that someone else is playing him, all eyes are watching. Fortunately, the next actor to play Aragorn has a pretty good idea of what makes his version stand apart.

Speaking exclusively with Collider's Tania Hussain, Jamie Dornan has opened up about portraying Aragorn and replacing Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, revealing that audiences will meet a version of the character who hasn't yet taken on the full responsibility of his royal destiny.

Dornan explained that the upcoming movie will concentrate more heavily on Aragorn's life as Strider, the wandering Dúnedain Ranger, rather than the future king of Gondor audiences remember from the original trilogy. Asked what he was most excited to bring to the character, Dornan admitted that simply getting the opportunity to wear Aragorn's costume was an extraordinary experience. He told Collider:

"Oh, man. [Laughs] Well, you know, it’s just a mad privilege and honour to be literally filling those boots and wearing that costume."

However, he explained that the movie's earlier setting allows him to explore a different side of Aragorn, before the expectations surrounding his ancestry begin weighing quite so heavily on him. "And we’re seeing them at a different point — we’re seeing him as very much Strider, the Dúnedain Ranger," said Dornan. "It’s sort of before all of the weight and expectation of being the rightful heir to Gondor and all of that weight that has been placed upon him; it’s obviously that he knows that’s who he truly is, but it’s not being thrust on him in the same way it is in Fellowship, so we’re seeing him at a different point."

Aragorn Won't Be Alone in 'The Hunt for Gollum'

While the original trilogy introduced Aragorn as this dark warrior who largely operated solo before joining the Fellowship, the new movie will explore his relationship with another Ranger in the form of Halvard, who's played by rising star Leo Woodall. It should also mean we get a fascinating look at Aragorn's life before he got involved with the One Ring, because while his royal heritage has always been part of his identity, we'll get to see him as he moves through Middle-earth on the down low. Continuing, Dornan teased:

"I think that’ll be cool for people to see, and he’s got his Dúnedain Ranger buddy in Halvard, who Leo Woodall’s playing, and it’ll be cool to see that dynamic, and we’re very excited for people to see it."

The movie is being directed by Andy Serkis, who famously brought Gollum to life through performance capture in Jackson's original trilogy. Serkis will also reprise his role as the former Stoor Hobbit, with Jackson returning as a producer alongside Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens.