Aragorn Actor in ‘The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum’ Has Reportedly Been Found

British actor Leo Woodall is reportedly stepping into one of fantasy cinema’s most iconic roles. Rumors suggest that Woodall has been cast as Aragorn, also known as Strider, in Warner Bros.’ upcoming The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. The information comes from industry reports and sources following his recent work.

Woodall, who has been gaining recognition for his performances in Netflix’s Vladimir alongside Rachel Weisz and last year’s Nuremberg, would be taking over the role originally made famous by Viggo Mortensen in the classic trilogy. Interestingly, The Guardian notes that Woodall used to pretend to play Aragorn when he was younger, making the casting feel almost full circle.

According to Knight Edge Media, the studio began planning the recast in late 2025 after it was confirmed that Mortensen would not return. Director Andy Serkis reportedly started meeting with young actors under the character codename “Milkey,” aiming for someone talented rather than a widely known star. Names like Henry Cavill and Ben Barnes were not considered for the role, emphasizing the studio’s preference for a fresh face.

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum is part of a broader slate of new live-action LOTR films produced by Warner Bros. and New Line following Embracer Group’s acquisition of Middle-earth Enterprises. Filming is expected to take place in Wellington, New Zealand, starting this May, with Serkis directing a screenplay co-written by Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, Callum Gittins, and Panos Papageorgiou.

The first film in this new LOTR series will focus on Gollum, with the December 17, 2027 release date already set. While many fan-favorite characters are expected to appear, it remains unclear whether original actors like Sir Ian McKellen or Elijah Wood will reprise their roles. McKellen previously expressed openness to returning as Gandalf, though nothing has been officially confirmed.

This rumored casting of Woodall could mark the start of a fresh chapter for Tolkien fans while introducing a younger generation of actors to the franchise.

Casting Leo Woodall as Aragorn feels like a bold but exciting choice. He has the acting chops and the presence to take on such an iconic role, and it will be interesting to see how he interprets Strider for a new audience. What do you think of Woodall stepping into Aragorn’s boots? Share your thoughts in the comments.