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Recasting The Lord of the Rings saga is no easy task. Since Peter Jackson forever changed fantasy cinema with his epic J.R.R. Tolkien adaptations in the early 2000s, the franchise has grown into a vast empire far beyond its source material. The Rings of Power series made some great choices, like Morfydd Clark as Galadriel and Charlie Vickers, who gives a charismatic, layered portrayal of Sauron.
The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum has made similar steady strides. The film recast Aragorn with Jamie Dornan, while still relying on familiar faces like Lee Pace as Thranduil and Ian McKellen as Gandalf. The Hunt for Gollum keeps a few fantastic actors who helped define the roles for millions, but overhauling the entire cast is a grandiose undertaking.
Tolkien’s original vision matters, as some characters in Jackson’s film aren’t one-to-one interpretations. Still, the film trilogy shaped how many picture the characters, with Elijah Wood firmly in the role of Frodo, even when reading the books. Tolkien’s characters still take precedence, but audience expectations now play a much larger role than Jackson did decades ago. I’ve thought about this cast list longer than it would take to walk to Mordor and back again, and each actor is guaranteed to update The Lord of the Rings films with a distinct casting that honors the franchise.
Paul Mescal as Aragorn
The Heart of a Noble Warrior With a King’s Destiny
Despite spending years as a protective Ranger of the North, Aragorn is Gondor’s rightful heir. Tolkien painted him as more self-assured from the outset, while Jackson gave him a reluctant-hero angle. Aragorn is fiercely loyal to those he calls friends, being a true man of his word and willing to prove it on the battlefield. He helps unite the worlds of dwarves, elves, and men, underscoring his natural leadership ability. He’s a fierce warrior who rallies troops and inspires hope, while also embracing his lighter side with Arwen.
Paul Mescal’s career has shown his ability to embody the qualities that let Aragorn thrive. Films like Aftersun, All of Us Strangers, and Hamnet highlight his emotional vulnerability and range, with nuanced performances that suit a reluctant Aragorn and his more intimate moments with Arwen. He also proved he can hold his own in the heat of battle, appearing in Ridley Scott’s Gladiator II. When it comes to rallying the troops or taking up his mantle as king, Mescal has the gravitas to bring new life to Aragorn.
Barry Keoghan as Frodo Baggins
A Reluctant Everyman Facing an Unimaginable Burden
Jackson’s films portray the Hobbit as slightly younger, tapping into a deeper vulnerability than Tolkien’s books. Frodo is a modest character who leads a simple life in the Shire and proves himself a loyal friend. When unimaginable circumstances land in his lap, he’s thrust into a hero’s journey, bearing a harsh burden. Frodo isn’t great with a sword, but he serves as the franchise’s moral compass, proving through endurance and empathy that he can withstand the journey’s physical and psychological toll.
Barry Keoghan’s eclectic career includes characters that capture Frodo’s wide-eyed innocence and the psychological torment he endures. No example from Keoghan’s resume captures Frodo’s early eagerness better than Dunkirk, where he plays George, the film’s tragic, soft-hearted anchor amid the wartime action. The Banshees of Inisherin delivers a similar naivety. Films like The Killing of a Sacred Deer, The Green Knight, and Saltburn show Keoghan’s range in darker roles. He may be older than some actors who would be up for the role, but his talent feels perfectly suited to it.
Cooper Hoffman as Samwise Gamgee
Unwavering Loyalty and the Heart of a Hero
Samwise is the unsung hero of the LOTR franchise, sticking with Frodo through thick and thin. He’s a Hobbit who wants nothing more than a simple life in the Shire, but he pushes past his own fears to help a friend on a harrowing trek. Sam is the heart of the franchise, showing unyielding strength through his physical and mental endurance. Frodo wouldn’t have made it to Mordor without Sam, who literally carries him at points. He’s a humble everyman who shows that love can conquer all.
Cooper Hoffman proved he could walk with the best in The Long Walk, a stellar Stephen King adaptation that showed his unyielding endurance in the face of bleak odds. Whether motivating himself or others to keep going, his role as Raymond Garrity almost felt like an audition for Samwise. Films like Licorice Pizza and Saturday Night highlight authentic characters crafted with nuanced detail. He flexed his action chops in the lesser-known Old Guy, but his dramatic work makes Hoffman a standout choice to play the franchise’s backbone.
Matt Berry as Gimli
A Loyal Yet Stubborn Warrior Hardened by Battle
Tolkien wrote Gimli as a wise, chivalrous Dwarf who is capable of showing reverence to others while staunchly holding onto personal beliefs. Jackson’s films portray him as more cantankerous, though both versions highlight his prowess as a powerhouse warrior. Despite his stubbornness, Gimli forms a distinct friendship with Legolas, softening his harsher opinions and helping bring their cultures together. His resilience is admirable, but his true strength lies in his ability to embrace the Fellowship.
Matt Berry’s comedic background makes him seem like an odd choice. However, his distinct performance style and vocal traits suit Gimli better than you might realize. A deep, booming voice often offsets Gimli’s short stature, and Berry consistently uses his vocal range to his advantage in shows like Toast of London, The I.T. Crowd, and What We Do in the Shadows.
Each show even has him playing proud, often stubborn characters who are easily offended. Berry is comfortable in elaborate costumes and can show dramatic vulnerability when given the chance. He may not be the first name that comes to mind, but Berry presents an inspired choice.
Robert Pattinson as Legolas
A Stoic Elven Prince and Deadly Archer
Legolas perfectly embodies the ethereal, graceful nature of Tolkien’s Elves. The books paint him as cheerful and more emotionally vulnerable, while Jackson portrays him as a stoic warrior. He’s a loyal member of the Fellowship of the Ring, offering his deadly bow-and-arrow skills. Legolas befriends Aragorn and shares a competitive rivalry with Gimli over who has the higher kill count. His friendship with Gimli even helps bridge an ancient cultural divide between Elves and Dwarves, leading by empathetic example.
Coming off the heels of the Twilight franchise, I may not have seen Pattinson’s potential as Legolas. However, he’s spent years shedding that persona while cultivating an impressive career of unique characters. This year, he appeared in Christopher Nolan’s The Odyssey, showing his growing comfort in fantasy settings after appearing in the Harry Potter franchise.
Movies like The King have shown his comfort with medieval combat, while Batman proves he can handle the biggest action set pieces. Whether it’s Mickey 17, Primetime, or Good Time, Pattinson has repeatedly shown he can play complex figures through nuanced or frantic physicality, and he’s primed to befriend Matt Berry’s Gimli.
Henry Cavill as Boromir
A Flawed Patriot Destined for Tragedy
Boromir is a battle-hardened commander who sees the One Ring as a potential weapon. He swears his sword to the Fellowship, where he struggles to resist the One Ring’s temptation. Despite his status as a fierce warrior, he shows human frailty. Jackson lets the character show more warmth, forming an almost paternal bond with the Hobbits. He suffers a tragic fate when he succumbs to the Ring, but Boromir finds redemption and dies as a heroic protector.
Henry Cavill has the charisma and gravitas to ensure audiences know “One does not simply walk into Mordor.” He’s repeatedly excelled in action movies like Mission: Impossible – Fallout, In the Grey, and The Ministry of Ungentlemanly Warfare. His time as Geralt of Rivia on The Witcher may be the best evidence to date, with the character being a skilled warrior who feels more like an antihero than an outright paragon. It’s easy to imagine Cavill struggling with the One Ring’s allure, only to get the chance to play the character’s iconic redemption. He even has Highlander on the way, underscoring his continued fascination with the fantasy genre.
Hunter Schafer as Arwen
The Personification of Grace, Who Chooses Love Over Immortality
Jackson gave Arwen a much larger role in The Lord of the Rings movies, as Tolkien only briefly includes her in the central story. The films draw on the appendices, using The Tale of Aragorn and Arwen to flesh out her character. She embodies an ethereal presence who holds fast to her convictions, willing to renounce her immortality to pursue her romance with Aragorn. Arwen was always meant to be a beacon of hope for Aragorn, and Jackson lets her thrive as a heroine who plays an active role in rescuing Frodo.
Hunter Schafer built a career as a model, honing an ethereal grace that suits Arwen perfectly. From controlling her posture on runways to commanding attention in a room, Schafer does it all with a serene demeanor. She drew audiences in as Jules on Euphoria, a role that closely parallels Arwen’s journey as she strives for independence while balancing intense romantic devotion. Schafer has also found success in the fantasy genre with The Hunger Games: The Ballad of Songbirds & Snakes, making her an exceptional choice to step into Arwen’s shoes.
Peter Capaldi as Saruman
A Once Noble Wizard Corrupted by the Quest for Power
Tolkien’s lore gives Saruman an epic backstory, as wizards are angelic spirits known as Maiar. He was sent to help the free peoples of Middle-earth fight Sauron during the Third Age. Saruman is self-serving, corrupted by his quest for power, and plans to betray Sauron. Jackson portrays him more as Sauron’s puppet, but both versions show a duplicitous figure who can present different personas depending on who he’s interacting with. His willingness to destroy things like Fangorn Forest underscores his lust for power at any cost, even as the world around him suffers.
Saruman needs to command the room, believing he’s the smartest person and playing all sides. Peter Capaldi perfectly embodied these traits as the Twelfth Doctor on Doctor Who, capturing an intellectual superiority that demands respect. Even if it doesn’t seem like it, Saruman is involved in political dealings, and Capaldi brings unique experience from the frantic world of government, having stunned audiences with In the Loop and The Thick of It. His characters can also be deceptively pragmatic, as evidenced by Cardinal Richelieu in The Musketeers, whom he plays as a ruthless schemer willing to commit atrocities to preserve glory.
Toby Kebbell as Gollum
A Tragic Figure That Thrives on a Unique Duality
Gollum was once a Hobbit named Sméagol, corrupted by the One Ring, which changed him into the frail creature Frodo and Sam encounter. His mind is torn between fleeting moments of Sméagol’s warmth and Gollum’s unyielding yearning for the ring, as he argues with himself. He is a deeply tragic figure, underscoring the ring’s allure and acting as a dark mirror of Frodo’s potential fate. Gollum can evoke sympathy and scorn in a single breath, demanding a dynamic performance.
While most people are happy to see Andy Serkis return to the role, I think Toby Kebbell is the perfect replacement. Kebbell is a motion-capture pioneer alongside Serkis, bringing impressive characters like Koba to life in Dawn of the Planet of the Apes. Koba’s traumatic backstory fuels his chaotic actions, and his flaws draw sympathy and rage in equal measure.
Kebbell plays the character with a distinct vulnerability beneath his anger, with moments of subtle brilliance, like when he plays dumb. Even outside the mo-cap world, Kebbell has excelled in fantasy movies like Wrath of the Titans and dramatic shows that highlight his range, like Servant.
Jeffrey Wright as Gandalf
A Wise Mentor and Powerful Wizard
Gandalf is an immortal being with immense power, a Maia like Saruman. He often mentors kings and even Hobbits like Bilbo and Frodo, spurring resistance against Sauron. His wise-old-man demeanor hides his quiet doubts about Middle-earth’s future. He also embodies two distinct forms. Gandalf the Grey is a personable wanderer, while his resurrected form, Gandalf the White, is an authoritative commander and strategist. He can sit peacefully for a cup of tea (or wine) with Hobbits, then strike fear into the Balrog, making him a dynamic figure who demands range.
Jeffrey Wright has proven he can embody the gravitas and wisdom Gandalf requires. The character demands verbal eloquence, which Wright has demonstrated through an eclectic stage career, including Shakespearean roles such as Marc Antony in Julius Caesar. Shows like Westworld feature Wright as a weary, analytical observer, much like Gandalf the Grey.
He can handle intense combat situations, like Felix Leiter in the James Bond franchise, and he’s made his mark on the fantasy genre with the Hunger Games films. Wright’s Academy Award-nominated performance in American Fiction is even a great example of an ancient soul still fighting for what matters. He may not be the first name that comes to mind, but you’ll be hard-pressed to find an actor who balances Gandalf’s sage and warrior sides better.