Stephen Colbert to co-write a new Lord of the Rings film after leaving The Late Show
Consensus Summary
Stephen Colbert is developing a new *Lord of the Rings* film titled *Shadow of the Past* after leaving *The Late Show* in May 2024. The project, announced via a video with Peter Jackson, will follow Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing early steps of their original quest while uncovering a hidden secret about the War of the Ring. Colbert, a lifelong Tolkien fan, collaborated with his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens to adapt chapters 3â8 of *The Fellowship of the Ring*, which Jacksonâs original films omitted. The film is the second in Warner Bros.â expanded *Lord of the Rings* universe, following *The Hunt for Gollum* (2027), and will be produced by Jackson and longtime collaborators. While ABC and Guardian Article 1 emphasize Colbertâs creative role and the filmâs premise, Guardian Article 2 critiques the choice of material, questioning whether it will feel like a hollow attempt to monetize âdisposableâ Tolkien lore. The project reflects both Colbertâs passion for the source material and Hollywoodâs ongoing efforts to expand the franchise beyond Jacksonâs adaptations.
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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
- Colbertâs script will follow Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing early steps of their original adventure, with Samâs daughter Elanor discovering a long-buried secret about the War of the Ring
- Colbertâs involvement was announced via a video on social media by Peter Jackson on Tuesday (date not specified)
- Colbertâs *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
- Colbertâs 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:
- Colbert referenced chapters 3â8 of *The Fellowship of the Ring* as inspiration, which were not developed in Jacksonâs first film
- Colbert said he initially planned the outline with his son Peter Colbert (screenwriter) before approaching Jackson
- Jackson joked about Colbertâs availability after *The Late Show* cancellation, referencing CBSâs politically motivated settlement with Donald Trump
- Colbertâs involvement was described as a âsurprise announcementâ in a video on social media
- The filmâs working title was reported as *The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past* by Deadline
- The article questions whether *Shadow of the Past* will center on Tom Bombadil, referencing chapters 3â8 as the likely source of the filmâs mystery
- Critiques Jacksonâs original trilogy for omitting elements like Old Man Willow, Barrow-wights, and Tom Bombadil, calling them âolder, stranger thingsâ
- Suggests the film may focus on chapter 8 (*Fogs on the Barrow-downs*) and Bombadilâs role in rescuing hobbits
- Expresses skepticism about Bombadil being the âsource of a Sauron-based conspiracyâ due to his indifference to stakes
- Compares the filmâs focus on âdisposableâ Tolkien material to Hollywoodâs tendency to monetize âtexture over textâ
- Notes that *The Rings of Power* (Amazon) adapted earlier Middle-earth lore but was divisive regarding Bombadilâs portrayal
- Explicitly states Colbert will *co-write* the film (not just write) alongside his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens
- Mentions Colbertâs 11-year run on *The Late Show* ending on May 21, 2024, after CBSâs July 2023 cancellation announcement
- Highlights Colbertâs devotion to Tolkienâs work and his cameo in *The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug* (2013)
- Clarifies the filmâs working title as *The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past* via a press release
- Notes Jacksonâs trilogy grossed over $2.9 billion ($4.1 billion adjusted) worldwide and won multiple Oscars, including Best Picture for *The Return of the King* (2003)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Guardian Article 2 suggests the filmâs focus on chapters 3â8 may feel like a âprankâ or âApril Foolsâ jokeâ due to their perceived lack of urgency, while the other sources present it as a legitimate project
- Guardian Article 2 implies the film may âretrospectively adaptâ Tolkien chapters, whereas the other sources emphasize it will take them as âinspirationâ without direct adaptation
- Guardian Article 2 questions whether Bombadil will be central to the plot, while no other source addresses this as a potential controversy or uncertainty
- Guardian Article 1 and ABC both confirm the filmâs title as *The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past*, but Guardian Article 2 does not explicitly state the title, focusing instead on its premise
- ABC explicitly states Colbert will *co-write* the film, while Guardian Article 1 describes him as the *writer* (without the âco-â prefix) alongside Boyens and McGee
Source Articles
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 ...
Will Stephen Colbertâs Lord of the Rings film be Tom Bombadilâs time to shine?
The US talkshow hostâs script will focus on chapters three to eight of Tolkienâs first volume â a section Hollywood originally thought disposable but is now circling back to monetise As I write this, ...
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....