Jamie Dornan cast in new Lord of the Rings movie in legendary role

The cast of the new prequel film has been unveiled.

Landing in cinemas in December 2027, the Northern Irish actor will play 'Strider' in the prequel film. Real LOTR fans will know that the name is an alias for Aragorn, played by Viggo Mortensen in the original trilogy.

The character is first introduced in the J. R. R. Tolkien source material and the movies as the ranger, tracker and guardian Strider.

This is before he is later revealed to be Aragorn, the heir of an ancient king.

Andy Serkis, who played Gollum in the original trilogy and The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, is directing the new prequel, taking the franchise reins from Peter Jackson.

It has previously been announced that Viggo Mortensen would not be returning as Aragorn, and that Serkis was recasting the role.

On top of Dornan and Serkis, The Hunt for Gollum's cast includes Elijah Wood, Ian McKellen and Lee Pace reprising their roles from The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit, alongside newcomers Kate Winslet and Leo Woodall.

The plot synopsis on IMDB reads: "Aragorn's quest to capture Gollum between The Hobbit and Fellowship of the Ring, tracking him to keep the Ring's location from Sauron.

"The film explores Aragorn's early adventures as a ranger."

The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum will land in cinemas on 17 December 2027.