New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie Recasting Aragorn

A new Lord of the Rings film is coming out, and a fan-favorite character will be portrayed by a different actor this time.

As a huge fan of The Lord of the Rings, I was excited to hear from director Andy Serkis about The Hunt for Gollum. He confirmed that we’ll be seeing Aragorn again, along with other familiar faces from the original trilogy. But here’s the catch – Viggo Mortensen won’t be reprising the role. Someone else will be taking on the part of Aragorn this time around.

I’m not sure what the current rumors are, but there’s been a lot of talk. What I can say is that we’re starting the process of finding a new actor for the part and making good progress.

Not much is known about Andy Serkis’ upcoming movie, but it will take place chronologically between the stories of The Hobbit and The Fellowship of the Ring. Frodo and Gandalf are expected to appear, though it’s currently unknown if Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen will return to play those characters as they did in Peter Jackson’s Lord of the Rings films.

Currently, Kate Winslet is the only confirmed cast member for The Hunt for Gollum, but Andy Serkis hasn’t shared any information about her character yet. When asked about her role, he said…

We’re keeping details under wraps for now, but our movie, The Hunt for Gollum, is set between the events of The Hobbit and The Lord of the Rings. It’s a chase for Gollum, both physically and in terms of his internal struggles. We’re almost ready to release it, and we’re really excited – it’s going to be quite an adventure!

The new movie, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, is planned for release in theaters on December 17, 2027. Warner Bros. is currently working on two Lord of the Rings films, and it was just announced that the other one is being written by Stephen Colbert, the host of a late-night talk show.

Overlooked ’90s Movies That Should Have Been Bigger

The Paper (1994)

With a box office total of $48.4 million, The Paper is perhaps the most overlooked film directed by Ron Howard in the 1990s – a decade that also saw him create popular movies like Backdraft, Apollo 13, and Ransom. However, it could also be his best work from that period. The film is a fast-paced story about the daily life inside a major city newspaper. Michael Keaton plays a stressed-out editor at a New York tabloid, and his dedication to a big story puts both his job and his marriage at risk. If you enjoy films about investigative journalism, The Paper is a standout, featuring a fantastic cast including Robert Duvall, Glenn Close, Jason Alexander, Marisa Tomei, and Jason Robards.

Guilty As Sin (1993)

The film Guilty As Sin earned $22.8 million at the box office. Director Sidney Lumet, known for realistic crime dramas like Dog Day Afternoon and 12 Angry Men, teamed up with exploitation film expert Larry Cohen – an unlikely pairing that actually worked well. The movie starts with a clever idea: a twist on Basic Instinct where the lawyer (Rebecca De Mornay) is attracted to the main suspect (Don Johnson) in a murder case. Lumet lets his actors take the lead, and the film becomes a showcase for Don Johnson, who plays a charming but awful gigolo. He’s incredibly entertaining as a character you really want to see get what he deserves. For example, there’s a scene where he lets a woman pay for his drink, then immediately leaves her with the empty glass and the bill. You’re constantly hoping he’ll face consequences for his actions.

The Quick and the Dead (1995)

With a box office total of $18.6 million, Sam Raimi is now considered one of the most talented filmmakers of his generation. However, back in the early 1990s, many critics believed his films were more visually impressive than meaningful. This led them to underestimate movies like his Western, The Quick and the Dead, which was arguably the most visually striking Western since Sergio Leone’s films. The movie also boasts an incredible cast, including Sharon Stone, Gene Hackman, Pat Hingle, Keith David, Lance Henriksen, Tobin Bell, Gary Sinise, and Russell Crowe and Leonardo DiCaprio before they became household names. Despite its strengths, The Quick and the Dead didn’t resonate with audiences at the time, as Westerns weren’t very popular in the 90s. It’s surprising that such a visually exciting film received so little attention – audiences back then didn’t fully appreciate what they had.

Devil in a Blue Dress (1995)

Okay, so Devil in a Blue Dress made $16.1 million at the box office, but honestly, that number doesn’t even begin to capture how great this movie is. I mean, seriously, has anyone ever looked cooler than Denzel Washington in a white tank top? It’s not exactly a scientific metric, I know, but it speaks to his incredible charisma in this role. He plays Easy Rawlings, a guy down on his luck who gets pulled into this really complex and surprising mystery when he tries to help find a missing person. And the supporting cast is amazing – Tom Sizemore, Jennifer Beals, and Don Cheadle, who is fantastic as Easy’s friend Mouse. The movie really digs into the racial tensions in 1940s Los Angeles, and honestly, you just can’t look away from Denzel Washington for a single moment. It’s a truly captivating film.

Trial and Error (1997)

The movie earned $14.5 million at the box office. While many stars from popular 1990s sitcoms didn’t succeed in film, this movie stands out as a charmingly quirky comedy. It’s similar in style to Kindergarten Cop, and stars Michael Richards of Seinfeld as a man who pretends to be a lawyer when his best friend (Jeff Daniels) is unable to attend court due to a wild bachelor party. This screwball comedy is a rare treat, and it also features an early film role for Charlize Theron.

Lone Star (1996)

The film Lone Star earned $12.4 million at the box office. Director John Sayles was a highly respected independent filmmaker in the 80s and 90s, but his output has decreased since then, potentially impacting his recognition with newer film fans. Released in 1996, Lone Star helped launch Matthew McConaughey’s career and features him as a memorable Texas sheriff. The story follows the sheriff’s son (played by Chris Cooper) as he investigates the discovery of remains, uncovering hidden truths and challenging the idyllic image of small-town life. Lone Star is a compelling mystery that realistically examines the myths surrounding American small towns.

The Two Jakes (1990)

Despite a troubled production and initial failure at the box office, earning just $10.0 million, The Two Jakes proves to be a surprisingly compelling sequel to Chinatown. Years after the events of the original film, private detective Jake Gittes (played and directed by Jack Nicholson) finds himself investigating a complex case. His client, Harvey Keitel, may be using Gittes to conceal a murder. As Gittes delves deeper, he uncovers connections to his own history. Though initially considered a flop, the film, penned by Robert Towne who also wrote Chinatown, is a beautifully sad story about being haunted by the past. While the ending of Chinatown is famous, the final line of The Two Jakes – “It never goes away” – is arguably even more chilling.

The Red Violin (1999)

The movie earned $10.0 million at the box office. It’s a compelling, yet often forgotten film that tells the story of a centuries-old violin. The film jumps between different time periods, starting in the 17th century and ending with an auction in Montreal in the late 1990s, showcasing the violin’s journey through cities like Vienna, Oxford, and Shanghai. Samuel L. Jackson plays a quiet appraiser who uncovers a key secret about the violin’s history.

Dirty Work (1998)

Norm Macdonald, a comedian who didn’t always receive the recognition he deserved, passed away in 2021 after a career filled with consistently good work. One example is the movie Dirty Work, where he plays a man who starts a business helping people get revenge. While the film wasn’t a critical or commercial success – earning just $10 million at the box office and a low score on Rotten Tomatoes – it’s a genuinely funny movie, arguably funnier than many more highly-rated comedies of the 1990s. Norm is fantastic in it, even if the story is thin, some jokes are questionable, and his shirts are strangely oversized. Dirty Work was directed by Bob Saget, another talented but underappreciated star of the era. It’s definitely worth revisiting!

Night Falls Over Manhattan (1996)

With a box office total of $9.8 million, Night Falls on Manhattan is a classic Sidney Lumet film. It follows a promising young lawyer, played by Andy Garcia, who discovers the corruption within New York City’s power structures. While the plot is somewhat complex, the movie avoids sensationalism, quickly resolving the expected courtroom drama to instead focus on how ambition and politics can compromise the justice system. Notably, the film features early performances by several actors who would later star in The Sopranos, including Dominic Chianese, Frank Vincent, and James Gandolfini, who plays a police officer with a hidden darkness.

Matinee (1993)

With a box office total of $9.5 million, Matinee offers a heartwarming look at 1960s B-movies, but acknowledges the serious issues of the time. The film centers on Gene (Simon Fenton), a teenager whose father is away serving in the Navy during the Cuban Missile Crisis. Gene helps care for his younger brother while their mother struggles to cope. The local movie theater provides a much-needed escape for the family. However, Matinee is more than just a nostalgic trip down memory lane. Director Joe Dante uses classic films to examine the difference between genuine fear and the manufactured thrills created by a cheesy filmmaker, Lawrence Woolsey (played by John Goodman). Surprisingly, this movie about a low-class producer is remarkably insightful.

The Spanish Prisoner (1997)

The film The Spanish Prisoner has earned $9.5 million at the box office. This cleverly plotted con man story, written by David Mamet, features a strong cast including Campbell Scott, Ben Gazzara, Ricky Jay, Ed O’Neill, and Steve Martin. The story centers on Joe (Scott), who has developed a potentially valuable process, and Jimmy (Martin), a businessman who suddenly shows interest. This raises the question: who can Joe trust? Is everyone trying to deceive him? And what exactly is the Spanish Prisoner? (It’s a nickname for an old scam, not a person.)

Serial Mom (1994)

With a box office total of $7.8 million, John Waters’ darkly comedic take on America’s fascination with true crime feels surprisingly relevant—and is much funnier than real life. Kathleen Turner stars as a seemingly normal suburban mother who secretly has a violent side, punishing anyone who breaks her personal rules. (A warning: if you ask her daughter on a date, don’t cancel!) While now considered a cult classic, Serial Mom received mixed reviews and didn’t perform well at the box office when it was released in the mid-1990s. However, the media frenzy surrounding the O.J. Simpson trial a few years later made Waters seem like a remarkably prescient filmmaker.

The Man in the Moon (1991)

The film earned $2.8 million at the box office. Reese Witherspoon became a well-known actress thanks to films like Election and Cruel Intentions, but her talent was evident even earlier in her debut role in the touching independent film The Man in the Moon. In the film, Witherspoon, age 14, plays a girl coming of age in 1950s Louisiana and experiencing her first crush. Even in this first role, she showed the poise of an experienced actor, and those who watched the movie when it came out in the early 1990s likely predicted her future success.

Household Saints (1993)

With a box office total of $751,233, Nancy Savoca’s Household Saints is a unique film that successfully blends humor and sadness while exploring spirituality with honesty and a critical eye. Its unconventional nature likely contributed to it being overlooked, as it was difficult to categorize for marketing purposes. The film is too spirited for a strictly religious audience, but it doesn’t aim to ridicule Catholicism either. This makes it a rewarding watch, offering a fresh perspective on family and faith. Lili Taylor delivers a remarkable performance as the central character in this multi-generational story about an Italian American family, creating a truly unforgettable portrayal.

2026-04-03 20:28