Viggo Mortensen Teases Return to ‘Lord of the Rings’ Franchise Under One Condition
Earlier this month, news broke that Peter Jackson will return to produce a new Lord of the Rings installment entitled The Hunt for Gollum, which is set for a 2026 release and will be directed by franchise stalwart Andy Serkis, also set to star in the title role.
Now, Aragorn actor Viggo Mortensen has weighed in about his potential return to the franchise in an interview with GQ U.K.
The Hunt for Gollum’s plot remains unknown, and it’s unclear if there will be space for other characters from the franchise to return. Mortensen, however, said he would only consider reprising his iconic role under very specific circumstances. Unsurprisingly, the 65-year-old said his age factors into the decision-making process.
“I like playing that character,” Mortensen told the outlet when asked if he’d consider a return. “I learned a lot playing the character. I enjoyed it a lot.”
However, Mortensen doesn’t wish to return just for the sake of fan service.
“I would only do it if I was right for it in terms of, you know, the age I am now and so forth,” he explained. “I would only do it if I was right for the character. It would be silly to do it otherwise.”
Mortensen played Aragorn in the Lord of the Rings trilogy—The Fellowship of the Ring (2001); The Two Towers (2002); and The Return of the King (2003), the latter of which won 11 Academy Awards including Best Picture. The actor did not return for Jackson’s subsequent Hobbit trilogy despite original franchise stars Orlando Bloom and Elijah Wood reprising their roles.
Mortensen is on the press trail for his new Civil War-era drama The Dead Don't Hurt, in which he plays a Danish immigrant on a journey to reunite with his wife (Vicky Krieps). It's in cinemas on May 31.
