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

Just now3 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 the early chapters of *The Fellowship of the Ring* that were omitted from Jackson’s original trilogy, following Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they retrace their original journey while uncovering a hidden secret about the War of the Ring. Produced by Jackson, Philippa Boyens, and Fran Walsh, the film is the second in a wave of *Lord of the Rings* expansions, following *The Hunt for Gollum* (directed by Andy Serkis and set for 2027). Colbert, a lifelong Tolkien fan, collaborated with his son (screenwriter Peter McGee or Peter Colbert, per sources) and Boyens to develop the story, which is inspired by chapters 3–8 of *The Fellowship of the Ring*. While all sources agree on the core details, Guardian Article 2 critiques the project’s focus on ‘disposable’ Tolkien material, questioning whether it will feel like a hollow attempt to monetize the franchise’s lore. Contradictions include discrepancies in the son’s name (Peter Colbert vs. Peter McGee) and varying interpretations of the film’s narrative ambition, with some sources framing it as a faithful expansion and others as a risky or even frivolous endeavor.

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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’s tendency to monetize ‘texture over text’
  • Notes that *The Rings of Power* (Amazon) adapted earlier Middle-earth lore but was divisive regarding Bombadil’s portrayal
ABC News
  • Explicitly states Colbert will *co-write* the film (not just write) alongside his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens
  • Highlights Colbert’s 11-year run on *The Late Show* ending in May 2024, with cancellation announced in July 2023
  • Clarifies the film’s working title as *The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past* via a press release
  • Mentions Jackson’s original trilogy grossed $2.9 billion (adjusted to $4.1 billion in current terms) and won Best Picture at the Oscars
  • Describes Colbert’s announcement as a ‘new chapter’ for the talk show host, emphasizing his ‘noted devotee’ status for Tolkien’s work

Contradictions

Conflicting information between sources:

  • Guardian Article 2 suggests the film’s focus on chapters 3–8 may feel like a ‘prank’ or ‘April Fools’ joke due to their perceived lack of urgency, while the other sources frame it as a legitimate creative development
  • Guardian Article 2 implies the film may ‘retrospectively adapt’ Tolkien chapters, which is not a claim made by the other sources—those emphasize inspiration rather than direct adaptation
  • Guardian Article 2 questions whether Bombadil will be central to the plot, while no other source addresses this as a potential point of controversy or uncertainty
  • ABC states Colbert will *co-write* the film, while Guardian Article 1 refers to him as the *writer* (without explicitly stating co-writing partners beyond Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee)
  • Guardian Article 1 mentions Colbert’s son as ‘Peter Colbert’ (screenwriter), but ABC refers to him as ‘Peter McGee’—no clarification is provided across sources

Source Articles

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, ...

26 March 2026
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