Stephen Colbert to co-write a new Lord of the Rings film after leaving The Late Show
Consensus Summary
Stephen Colbert will co-write a new Lord of the Rings film titled Shadow of the Past after leaving his late-night show on CBS. The project, announced via a video with Peter Jackson, will explore chapters 3 to 8 of The Fellowship of the Ring, focusing on Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing their early journey while Samâs daughter uncovers a secret about the War of the Ring. The film is the second in a series of upcoming Tolkien adaptations, following The Hunt for Gollum directed by Andy Serkis. Colbert, a lifelong Tolkien fan, collaborated with his son and Philippa Boyens to develop the script. While the Guardian speculates on Tom Bombadilâs potential role, ABC avoids such details. The announcement comes amid controversy over Colbertâs show cancellation, with the Guardian linking it to CBSâs settlement with Donald Trump, a detail ABC omits. The combined box office for the original films is over $5.9 billion, underscoring the franchiseâs enduring appeal.
â Verified by 2+ sources
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
- 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
- Colbertâs involvement was announced via a video on social media featuring Peter Jackson
- Colbertâs The Late Show on CBS will air its last episode on May 21, 2024
- The six Lord of the Rings and Hobbit movies have grossed a combined US$5.9 billion
- Colbert is an avid, lifelong J.R.R. Tolkien fan and had a cameo in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013)
- The film will be developed with Colbertâs son, screenwriter Peter McGee, and Philippa Boyens
Points of Difference
Details reported by only one source:
- Colbertâs script was inspired by chapters 3 to 8 of The Fellowship of the Ring, which were not included in Jacksonâs first film
- Colbert initially planned the outline with his son Peter Colbert (screenwriter) and later pitched it to Jackson after years of hesitation
- Jackson jokingly referenced Colbertâs cancellation from CBSâs The Late Show as a potential scheduling conflict for the film
- Colbert mentioned CBSâs $16 million settlement with Donald Trump as a factor in his showâs cancellation, which was criticized as politically motivated
- The filmâs title was reported as The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past by Deadline
- The article questions whether Colbertâs film will center on Tom Bombadil, referencing chapters 3 to 8 of The Fellowship of the Ring
- The article suggests the film may focus on chapter 8, Fogs on the Barrow-downs, where Bombadil rescues hobbits
- The Guardian speculates that the film may monetize previously overlooked Tolkien material, calling it a 'hollowing out' of Middle-earthâs depth
- The article humorously notes the April Foolsâ Day timing of the announcement as a potential prank
- The article references Amazonâs The Rings of Power and its divisive portrayal of Tom Bombadil
- The ABC article does not mention the political context of Colbertâs show cancellation or the $16 million settlement with Trump
- The ABC article does not reference chapters 3 to 8 of The Fellowship of the Ring or Tom Bombadilâs potential role in the film
- The ABC article does not mention the inspiration behind Colbertâs script or his collaboration with his son Peter McGee (only Peter Colbert is mentioned in Guardian 1, but ABC uses Peter McGee)
- The ABC article does not include the $2.9 billion or $4.1 billion figures for Jacksonâs trilogy gross (uses $5.9 billion combined total, which is correct but not broken down)
Contradictions
Conflicting information between sources:
- Guardian 1 states Colbertâs son is named Peter Colbert, while ABC states his son is named Peter McGee
- Guardian 2 humorously questions the April Foolsâ Day timing of the announcement as a potential prank, while Guardian 1 and ABC treat it as a legitimate announcement
- Guardian 2 references the $16 million settlement with Trump as a factor in Colbertâs show cancellation, but ABC does not mention this political context
- Guardian 2 suggests the film may focus on Tom Bombadilâs role in chapters 3 to 8, but ABC does not address this detail
- Guardian 1 mentions the filmâs title was reported as The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past by Deadline, but ABC does not specify the source of the title
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....