Stephen Colbert Writing New Lord of the Rings Movie for Peter Jackson | Video

Published: Wednesday, March 25, 2026 at 4:10 am

Stephen Colbert to Write New "Lord of the Rings" Film

Late-night host Stephen Colbert is set to write a new "Lord of the Rings" movie for director Peter Jackson. The announcement was made on the official "Lord of the Rings" social channels, coinciding with Tolkien Reading Day. The film, titled "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past," will be based on chapters from the original novel and will be set within the framework of Jackson's original film trilogy.

The film will be distributed by New Line Cinema/Warner Bros. Pictures. The project comes after the upcoming 2027 release of Andy Serkis's "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum." Colbert, who is ending his tenure on "The Late Show" this May, expressed his excitement about having the time to dedicate to the project.

The official synopsis reveals that the film will follow Frodo's companions, Sam, Merry, and Pippin, as they retrace their initial steps. Meanwhile, Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a hidden secret, prompting her to investigate the near-failure of the War of the Ring.

"Shadow of the Past" will be written by Colbert, Philippa Boyens, and Peter McGee. WingNut Films, in association with Spartina Industries, will produce the film. Colbert will collaborate with Jackson, Fran Walsh, and Boyens on the project.

Jackson has previously directed "The Hobbit" trilogy and produced the anime prequel "The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim." The original "Lord of the Rings" films have collectively grossed over $6 billion globally and remain popular. The first film in the trilogy, "The Fellowship of the Ring," was added to the Library of Congress's National Film Registry in 2021. No director or release date has been announced.

BNN's Perspective:

The return to Middle-earth is always a welcome prospect for fans. While the involvement of Colbert is unexpected, his creative input could bring a fresh perspective to the beloved franchise. The focus on unexplored aspects of the original story, as hinted by the synopsis, is a promising direction. Hopefully, the new film will capture the magic of the original trilogy while offering something new for audiences.

Keywords: Lord of the Rings, Stephen Colbert, Peter Jackson, Shadow of the Past, New Line Cinema, Warner Bros. Pictures, Andy Serkis, The Hunt for Gollum, Tolkien Reading Day, Middle-earth, Film, Movie, The Hobbit, The War of the Rohirrim, Philippa Boyens, Fran Walsh, WingNut Films, Spartina Industries, Sam, Merry, Pippin, Elanor, War of the Ring, The Fellowship of the Ring

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