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Townsend Leaves Lord of the Rings

Just one week into the start of principal photography, Stuart Townsend has left Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings film trilogy. Townsend had signed on to play the role of Strider/Aragorn in the picture, and according to Variety that role may now go to Viggo Mortenson (G.I. Jane, A Perfect Murder).

New Line Cinema has not confirmed Townsend's departure, but Variety said "sources close to the New Zealand production" claim Townsend and Jackson had creative differences about the role. Other sources indicated that Townsend lacked the star power to carry off the part.