Today, we at Knight Edge Media have exclusively learned that casting is currently underway for two female characters in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum. While production is expected to begin this May back in New Zealand, Warner Brothers has yet to announce the official cast for the film. As for the casting call, not much is known about these two roles, as the character descriptions don’t go much beyond their ages. We were also told that this casting call is not for any possible returning actresses that could appear, such as Cate Blanchett as Lady Galadriel or Evangeline Lilly as Tauriel:
[FEMALE LEAD] – 30s, FEMALE, WHITE. Lead Role.
[FEMALE LEAD] – 50s, FEMALE, WHITE. Supporting Role.
This casting call also confirmed that a new 30-year-old actor would be auditioning for the role of Aragorn/Strider, rather than Viggo Mortensen returning, as we previously reported. After speaking with our good friend Matt at Nerd of the Rings, we have come up with a few ideas for who these two women could be, though, again, this is pure speculation. It’s possible that the lead female role could be a recast of Arwen (originally played by Liv Tyler). If the film decides to show more of their love story in Rivendell before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, a “younger” Arwen would be around at this time. Their love story was expanded upon in the Appendices under the story “The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen”. We also know that Arwen travels outside of Rivendell in the film version of The Fellowship of the Ring when she finds Frodo after he is stabbed on Weathertop, as opposed to Glorfindel in the books. So obviously, if they choose to have her in the film and recast Aragorn, a recast of Arwen is certainly in the realm of possibility.
As for the older supporting female role, it could be one of two characters who are mentioned in the novels. We already know that this film will show Gollum in flashbacks as a young Sméagol. His village of Stoors will be featured, as well as his young friend group, long before he became consumed by The One Ring. Early in The Fellowship of the Ring, it is mentioned that Sméagol’s grandmother was the matriarch of their village and ultimately bans Sméagol for the murder of his cousin. She could be given a larger role via flashbacks in this film.
Another possible female character that could be featured in the film is Aragorn’s mother, whose flashbacks could also be included. Gilraen the Fair was a northern Dúnedain woman of royal lineage who would marry Arathorn II. After Arathorn’s death, Gilraen and a baby Aragorn would take refuge in Rivendell under the protection of Lord Elrond. That is where Aragorn eventually learns Elvish and meets a “younger” Arwen. Gilraen eventually dies shortly before the events of The Fellowship of the Ring, but long after Aragorn has already begun traveling the world as a ranger. This semi-prequel film may be just as much an Aragorn origin story as it is a Gollum origin story, though again, this is just speculation.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will hit theaters on December 17th, 2027
