Renowned enthusiast of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, Stephen Colbert, is collaborating with his son on a screenplay for a new movie set in the world of “The Lord of the Rings.” Warner Bros. made the announcement on Wednesday, revealing that Colbert, along with seasoned series contributor Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, Colbert’s son, will be working on “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past.” The involvement of Colbert was disclosed by producer Peter Jackson in a social media video introducing a special partner for the film.
“It took me some time to build up the courage to reach out to you, but about two years ago, I finally did,” Colbert shared with Jackson. “You were receptive to my ideas, and ever since then, the three of us have been collaborating with the talented Philippa Boyens to shape this narrative.”
Colbert explained that a few years back, during a conversation with his son, he conceived a potential concept for the film. This new story would follow an adventure involving Sam, Merry, and Pippin, taking place 14 years after Frodo’s passing.
Expressing his deep connection to the books and films, Colbert stated, “I found myself repeatedly revisiting the early chapters in ‘The Fellowship [of the Ring]’ that were not explored in the initial movie adaptation.” He pondered the idea of expanding those chapters into a standalone story that would seamlessly integrate with the existing film series.
The upcoming film, “Shadow of the Past,” follows a lineage of “Lord of the Rings” adaptations, including Jackson’s renowned trilogy and subsequent prequels based on “The Hobbit.” Additionally, Jackson was involved in the production of the animated feature “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim” in 2024. Another upcoming release is Andy Serkis’ “The Hunt for Gollum,” also produced by Jackson, scheduled to hit theaters next year.
Separately, the Amazon Prime prequel series, “The Rings of Power,” unrelated to Jackson’s adaptations, garnered attention for its record-breaking budget and positive reception upon its 2022 debut. However, despite wrapping up filming, the third season’s release date remains unconfirmed.
In the realm of video games, while titles like “The Return of the King” and the “Middle-Earth” series were well-received, “The Lord of the Rings: Gollum” in 2023 faced criticism as one of the worst games ever. On the other hand, “Tales of the Shire” in 2025, developed by Wētā Workshop, received mixed reviews.
Speculation surrounds a rumored new “Lord of the Rings” game intended to compete with “Hogwarts Legacy,” as per Insider Gaming. Colbert, a devoted fan of the franchise, has showcased his extensive knowledge of “The Lord of the Rings” on numerous occasions, frequently hosting cast and crew members on his show. To honor the 20th anniversary of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” Colbert reunited much of the cast for a rap tribute on “The Late Show.”
Colbert lauded “The Lord of the Rings” trilogy as the greatest in cinematic history. “The Late Show” on CBS will conclude with its final episode airing on May 21, following the network’s decision to cancel the series in July last year.
