Nov 9, 2009 by Jami Philbrick

EXCLUSIVE: Viggo Mortenson Wants to Return for The Hobbit

Viggo Mortenson Wants to Return for The Hobbit
Viggo Mortenson Wants to Return for The Hobbit
It was recently announced that filmmaker Peter Jackson would be returning to middle-earth by producing The Hobbit based on the J. R. R. Tolkien book of the same name. This time around he will be producing only and is giving up his director's chair to Pan's Labyrinth director Guillermo del Toro. He is however staying on as a writer as Jackson plans to co-write the film with del Toro and the first trilogy's writers, his wife Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens. The novel takes place sixty-years before events depicted in the first film and tells the story of how Bilbo Baggins became in possession of the ring from the creature Gollum. It was originally announced that the filmmakers intended to make two films, the first being an adaptation of the novel and the second a film that would bridge the gap between the previous movie and the trilogy. However del Toro himself later posted on a Lord of the Rings fan-site that while he still intends to make two films they will instead have only one narrative, based on the book, that will stretch over the two movies. But the director gave a conflicting statement when he was later quoted saying that he felt the second film would need to end by leading directly into The Lord of the Rings: Fellowship of the Ring.

Regardless, it's still fun for fans to speculate on which characters from the first three films could possibly end up in the sequels somehow. Originally when the filmmakers were discussing a "bridge" film Jackson stated that one of the things he would like to include was seeing the moment where Aragorn/Strider begins setting a watch on the Shire. We had the opportunity to speak with Viggo Mortenson, the actor who portrayed Aragorn/Strider in the film, this weekend while he was promoting his new movie The Road. We asked Mortenson if he would be interested in returning to his role in The Hobbit, if the filmmakers were able to find away to include his character. The actor stated that he had a lot of fun making the first three films and would love to return for more. He went on to say that his understanding was that the filmmakers are trying to find a way to incorporate many of the actors from the first trilogy, even some who's characters do not appear in the actual novel, into the new films. He also stated how much he loved working with the original cast and crew, how much he loved shooting in New Zealand and how much he would really enjoy returning one more time.

Whether Mortenson ends up in the film or not, there is no doubt that fans are dying to see these films come to the big screen. The Hobbit is due for release in December of 2011 with the conclusion The Hobbit Sequel hitting theaters a year later in December of 2012. Look for our exclusive interview with Viggo Mortenson about his film The Road coming soon.

The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey comes to theaters December 14th, 2012 and stars Cate Blanchett, Saoirse Ronan, Orlando Bloom, Elijah Wood, Martin Freeman, David Tennant, Ian McKellen, Christopher Lee. The film is directed by Peter Jackson.


Sources: Jami Philbrick

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Comments (15)

  1. Katie Wise

    it was said that bilbo found the ring 60 years before the fellowship and aragorn was 87 in the two towers so he would probably be in his early to mid twenties

    7 months agoby @Katie-WiseFlag

  2. Chad Vital

    Aragon would be a kid I think. Since Bilbo was 111 in Fellowship, that means he found the Ring when exactly? Couldn't be more than 40 years. So Aragorn would be a kid/teenager most likely. If you are following that timelime. If you are referring to the very beginning of rise of Sauron and that war you see in the flashback, then no characters would be it besides those will long life or wizardry.

    2 years agoby @chad-vitalFlag

  3. Vanboy

    The only characters who should be in this, are the immortals Liv, Orlando, Hugo, Blanchett, Ian McKellen and maybe Christopher Lee, if he and Jackson have patched things up that is.

    Aragorn wouldn't even be born, when the Hobbit takes place. I think, they should (as mentioned) show him briefly setting up camp in the tavern, to keep his watch. The Hobbit should be a stand alone adventure, to keep a fresh story for fans to come back to, when they tire of The Rings.

    I'm all for familiarity, but it needs to NOT be corny and self aware, like when Lucas conveniently had Anakin be the one who built C-3P0. Of all of the places for him to be made, he's built by the guy who he will have close involvement with in the other movies, on the same planet that he will return to in A New Hope!?

    I just see adding all of these characters that we have come to know in the Rings timeline, as an unnecessary pseudo-fan-obligation, that would only undermine it's credibility and merit as a hearty, notable installment.

    2 years agoby @vanboyFlag

  4. Shadow Of The Day

    Great News.

    2 years agoby @asifFlag

  5. JonSpidey07

    The Hobbit was written as it was
    Id like to see Aragorn again but the movie shouldnt distract too much of his screen time since he doesnt serve as big as a role

    2 years agoby @jonspidey07Flag

  6. Raoul Duke

    Yeah, I'm with Diaigma. Viggo in a limited, non speaking role, if any. Maybe just show a glimpse of him in the wild surrounding the Shire. That would be pretty awesome actually. I just don't want characters added just for the sake of adding them in. I'm pretty sure were all going to see the connection between The Hobbit and the LOTR films without a bunch of cameos from Elijah Wood and Orlando Bloom.

    2 years agoby @raoulduke33Flag

  7. Mutant

    I rather would like it if they don't put in Viggo. Just tell the story of the Hobbit as the book does, otherwise it's just a waste of time.
    If they want to tell another story to fill in the gap, then use Hobbit two for the returning cast. But they need to change the name to LOTR: Aragon's Tale.

    2 years agoby @zenderFlag

  8. Diaigma

    That'd be great and all, but it would hamper the original story, somewhat.

    2 years agoby @diaigmaFlag

  9. thereisnoname

    If their characters aren't in the original book, then none of the actors should be in the prequel. Aside from Ian Mckellen and Hugo Weaving, no other actor's should be reprising their roles, unless maybe there's some original source material.

    2 years agoby @thereisnonameFlag

  10. Remy72883

    i say hell yeah, i would love to see how he run's from his destiny at a early age believing the same weakness flows in his blood as his ancestors. Aragorn is a great character showing great sadness for his bloodline and fear with it, loyalty and determination to whatever end. i would so love to see this character again.

    2 years agoby @remy72883Flag

  11. Brian

    Amazing. I hope it happens, even if some type of sidelined story. At least the appearance of the "real" Aragorn would give some legitimacy to The Hobbit, as well as stay true to the book.

    2 years agoby @brianFlag

  12. Oli

    Cool.

    2 years agoby @reviloleeFlag

  13. Chad Vital

    They would do it as a side story next to the main story, they do it a lot in films so I don't see the problem. And since he has the gift of long aged life, he should look just like how he did in the LotRs films. He's a fan favorite, so why not?

    2 years agoby @chad-vitalFlag

  14. Cripple

    Hey, I am always up for more Aragorn. If they include him, It will be in a way that doesn't distract a lot from the main plot. Just kind of a side note of the story.

    2 years agoby @crippleFlag

  15. Raoul Duke

    At no point in The Hobbit do we see Aragorn. He is around though at this time of course. They could show a bit of his guard on the Shire. Or his search for Gollum. If he is used, that's probably the role we'll see him in.

    2 years agoby @raoulduke33Flag

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