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Stephen Colbert to co-write a new Lord of the Rings film after leaving The Late Show

1 hours ago3 articles from 2 sources

Consensus Summary

Stephen Colbert is set to co-write a new *Lord of the Rings* film titled *Shadow of the Past*, marking his transition from late-night hosting after *The Late Show* ends on May 21, 2024. The project, announced via a video by Peter Jackson, will explore chapters 3–8 of *The Fellowship of the Ring* that were omitted from Jackson’s original trilogy, following Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Sam’s daughter Elanor as they uncover a secret about the War of the Ring’s near-failure. Produced by Jackson, Philippa Boyens, and Fran Walsh, the film is the second in Warner Bros.’ expanded *Lord of the Rings* franchise, following *The Hunt for Gollum* (2027). Colbert, a lifelong Tolkien fan, collaborated with his son Peter McGee and Boyens, drawing inspiration from underdeveloped narrative threads. While sources agree on the film’s premise, Guardian Article 2 critiques the decision to revisit ‘disposable’ material like Tom Bombadil, questioning whether it can sustain a compelling plot. ABC emphasizes Colbert’s career shift and the film’s potential as a homage to Tolkien’s work, while Guardian Article 1 highlights the political context of Colbert’s departure from CBS. The combined $5.9 billion box office of the original films underscores the franchise’s enduring appeal, though debates persist over balancing faithfulness to the books with cinematic storytelling.

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Key details reported by multiple sources:

  • Stephen Colbert will co-write a new Lord of the Rings film titled *The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past*
  • The film will be produced by Peter Jackson, Philippa Boyens, and Fran Walsh
  • Colbert’s script will follow Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing early steps of their original adventure, with Sam’s daughter Elanor discovering a long-buried secret about the War of the Ring
  • Colbert’s involvement was announced via a video on social media by Peter Jackson on Tuesday (date not specified)
  • Colbert’s *The Late Show* on CBS will air its last episode on May 21, 2024
  • The film is the second upcoming *Lord of the Rings* project after *The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum*, directed by Andy Serkis and set for December 17, 2027
  • Colbert is a lifelong J.R.R. Tolkien fan and previously appeared in *The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug* (2013) alongside his family
  • The original *Lord of the Rings* trilogy and *Hobbit* trilogy grossed a combined $5.9 billion worldwide
  • Colbert’s script was developed with his son, screenwriter Peter McGee, and Philippa Boyens
  • The film is set 14 years after the events of *The Lord of the Rings* trilogy

Points of Difference

Details reported by only one source:

GUARDIAN_ARTICLE_1
  • Colbert referenced chapters 3–8 of *The Fellowship of the Ring* as inspiration, which were not developed in Jackson’s first film
  • Colbert said he initially planned the outline with his son Peter Colbert (screenwriter) before approaching Jackson
  • Jackson joked about Colbert’s availability after *The Late Show* cancellation, referencing CBS’s politically motivated settlement with Donald Trump
  • Colbert’s involvement was described as a ‘surprise announcement’ in a video on social media
  • The film’s working title was reported as *The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past* by Deadline
GUARDIAN_ARTICLE_2
  • The article questions whether *Shadow of the Past* will center on Tom Bombadil, referencing chapters 3–8 as the likely source of the film’s mystery
  • Critiques Jackson’s original trilogy for omitting elements like Old Man Willow, Barrow-wights, and Tom Bombadil, calling them ‘older, stranger things’
  • Suggests the film may focus on chapter 8 (*Fogs on the Barrow-downs*) and Bombadil’s role in rescuing hobbits
  • Expresses skepticism about Bombadil being the ‘source of a Sauron-based conspiracy’ due to his indifference to stakes
  • Compares the film’s focus on ‘disposable’ Tolkien material to Hollywood monetizing ‘appendices’ for profit
  • Notes that *The Rings of Power* included a divisive portrayal of Tom Bombadil
ABC News
  • Explicitly states Colbert will ‘develop’ the film rather than solely write it, emphasizing collaboration with his son and Philippa Boyens
  • Highlights Colbert’s 11-year run on *The Late Show* ending in May 2024, with cancellation announced in July 2023
  • Mentions Jackson’s *Lord of the Rings* trilogy grossed $2.9 billion (originally reported) and $4.1 billion (adjusted) worldwide
  • Includes a quote from Colbert: ‘I’m pretty happy about it’ to Jackson in the announcement video
  • Describes the film as a ‘new chapter’ for Colbert post-*The Late Show*
  • Notes Tolkien’s *Lord of the Rings* was published in three parts in 1954–1955

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • Guardian Article 2 suggests the film’s focus on chapters 3–8 may feel like ‘a very expensive shrug’ due to Bombadil’s lack of plot relevance, while Guardian Article 1 frames it as a faithful expansion of underdeveloped material
  • Guardian Article 2 implies the film may ‘retrospectively adapt’ Tolkien chapters, whereas Guardian Article 1 states it will take them as ‘inspiration’ without direct adaptation
  • ABC does not mention the film’s director, while Guardian Article 1 does not specify a director but Guardian Article 2 implies uncertainty about Bombadil’s role as a ‘plot-critical revelation’
  • Guardian Article 2 questions whether the film will ‘ruin all the mystery’ of Bombadil by explaining him, while no source contradicts this as a factual claim—only an opinion
  • Guardian Article 1 reports Colbert’s son is named Peter McGee (screenwriter), but ABC refers to him as Peter Colbert (screenwriter) in the same context

Source Articles

GUARDIAN

Stephen Colbert to write new Lord of the Rings film after end of the Late Show

Comedian and avid Tolkien fan to write the Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, a new Peter Jackson-produced film based on unadapted chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring Stephen Colbert has lined ...

25 March 2026
ABC

Talk show host Stephen Colbert to co-write new Lord of the Rings movie

Talk show host Stephen Colbert, famous devotee to JRR Tolkien's Middle Earth, is co-writing a Lord of the Rings movie with his son....

25 March 2026
GUARDIAN

Will Stephen Colbert’s Lord of the Rings film be Tom Bombadil’s time to shine?

The US talkshow host’s script will focus on chapters three to eight of Tolkien’s first volume – a section Hollywood originally thought disposable but is now circling back to monetise As I write this, ...

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