Here’s the latest on Stephen Colbert and The Lord of the Rings, based on recent reporting.
Short answer
- Stephen Colbert is reported to be co-writing a new Lord of the Rings movie, titled Shadow of the Past, in collaboration with Peter Jackson and Philippa Boyens. The project is described as expanding on early chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring that weren’t previously adapted, and it was publicly announced around late March 2026. Colbert’s involvement follows the cancellation of his CBS show, which gave him time to take on this project.
Context and key details
- Announcement and involvement: The news was explicitly shared by Peter Jackson in a video on social media, with Colbert appearing in a related interview/video segment. The pairing has been framed as Colbert bringing his long-standing LOTR enthusiasm to a formal writing role alongside established Tolkien-film veterans.[2][4][7]
- Scope of the project: Shadow of the Past is described as the second film in a new wave of LOTR projects from Warner Bros. Discovery/New Line, focusing on material from The Fellowship of the Ring that didn’t get developed into the original trilogy. The other announced project around the same period is The Hunt for Gollum, directed by and starring Andy Serkis, with release timing cited as 2027 for the latter film.[1][4]
- Release timeline and production context: Reports indicate this new Colbert-backed project is in early development alongside the mentioned Hunt for Gollum. The broader LOTR expansion is described as ongoing, with multiple entries planned under the same production umbrella.[4][5][1]
Credible sources you can check
- NBC News coverage of Colbert’s involvement and quote about having time to write this summer.[4]
- Entertainment trade reporting confirming the collaboration with Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, and the focus on unadapted early chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring.[3][2]
- General press roundups from outlets like USA Today and The Independent, which summarize Colbert’s passion for Tolkien and the project’s framing as faithful to both books and films.[6][7]
Notes
- If you’d like, I can pull in direct quotes from the press announcements or lay out a quick timeline of the reported development stages and expected release windows.
- Given the evolving nature of film development, dates and participants can shift; I can monitor for any official confirmations or changes and update you with precise citations.
Sources
Stephen Colbert, host of The Late Show, is set to co-write a new Lord of the Rings film titled Shadow of the Past before his CBS exit in May. Announced by Peter Jackson, the project expands Tolkiens The Fellowship of the Ring, focusing on previously unadapted early chapters. Colbert, a longtime fan, described drawing inspiration from sections like “Three Is Company” through “Fog on the Barrow-Downs,” aiming to create a story faithful to both books and films.
economictimes.indiatimes.comStephen Colbert, famous devotee to J
www.independent.co.ukBy Karina Tsui, CNN (CNN) — Stephen Colbert already has a new job lined up for when he ends his 11-year run as host of “The Late Show” in May – the
krdo.comIMDb, the world's most popular and authoritative source for movie, TV and celebrity content.
www.imdb.comComedian and departing late-night host is a hardcore LOTR fan
www.independent.co.ukThe film is in development alongside The Hunt for Gollum, which is already set to be released next year
news.stv.tvThe late-night talk show host has the time to write a "Rings" script because, he said, "it turns out I'm going to be free starting this summer."
www.nbcnews.com