Dornan on not trying to outdo Mortensen in Gollum
The weight of cinematic legacy can be heavy, especially when stepping into the shoes of an icon. Actor Jamie Dornan has recently opened up about the pressure he feels as he prepares to portray Aragorn in the upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum.
Dornan acknowledges the immense stature of the role, which follows the iconic portrayal of Aragorn by Viggo Mortensen in The Lord of the Rings. While he is thrilled about the opportunity, he admits to feeling a certain pressure when following in those legendary footsteps.
“There’s pressure when you’re trying to follow in those footsteps,” Dornan shared. “I’ve been asked to play a super-iconic role, and I’ll do my best.”
Despite the spotlight, Dornan remains grounded in his own artistic truth. He expressed deep respect for Mortensen’s work, noting that Aragorn’s performance is one of his all-time favorites. Dornan made it clear that he isn’t aiming to simply outdo his predecessor, instead focusing on recapturing the energy Mortensen brought to the character.
“For me, Aragorn will always be just Viggo. His performance is one of my all-time favourites, and I feel honoured to try to recapture at least some of the energy he originally brought to the character. There’s no part of me that’s trying to outdo him,” he stated.
The upcoming cinematic adventure, The Hunt for Gollum, is set to arrive in December 2027. It will feature a compelling ensemble cast, including original members of the legend, Ian McKellen and Anya Taylor-Joy, alongside newcomers Jamie Dornan, Kate Winslet, and Elijah Wood.
The film is helmed by director Andy Serkis, who has previously addressed the ongoing discussion regarding diversity within the extended Lord Of The Rings and Hobbit trilogies. Serkis noted that while the world of Middle-earth is rooted in Norse mythology and the historical context of the Shire, the focus has often been on preserving a predominantly white casting.
He acknowledged the criticisms about diversity, stating that while this film offers some acknowledgment, the emphasis is not on forcing a politically correct casting simply for the sake of ticking boxes. Instead, the focus remains on relevance, a subtle but important shift in how these epic tales are approached.
The creative energy around these adaptations continues to flow, with further projects in development. Shadow Of The Past, another spin-off, is currently in development and is being co-written by Stephen Colbert. Meanwhile, director Peter Jackson is also exploring the possibility of adapting J.R.R. Tolkien’s epic work, The Silmarillion, for the screen.
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