Stephen Colbert is stepping into an unexpected new role: co-writer of an upcoming Lord of the Rings movie. The project, announced by Warner Bros., brings together Colbert, his son Peter McGee, and longtime franchise writer Philippa Boyens to craft a story drawn from parts of J.R.R. Tolkien’s original novel that never made it to the screen.
The news was revealed in a playful video featuring director Peter Jackson, who also offered an update on the franchise’s next release, Andy Serkis’ The Hunt for Gollum, currently in development and slated for 2027. Jackson then introduced his “very special partner” for the following installment—Colbert himself, appearing via video call. A lifelong Tolkien enthusiast, Colbert explained that his film will expand on early sections of The Fellowship of the Ring that were left out of the original trilogy.
Working closely with McGee and Boyens over the past two years, Colbert helped shape the concept into a full screenplay. The film, tentatively titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadow(s) of the Past, is designed to connect seamlessly with Jackson’s original trilogy while telling a new, self-contained story.
According to the official description, the narrative is set years after the original saga. It follows Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they revisit the earliest moments of their adventure after Frodo’s passing. At the same time, Sam’s daughter Elanor uncovers a hidden mystery tied to the War of the Ring—one that nearly changed the fate of Middle-earth before the quest even began.
This marks Colbert’s first major step into blockbuster filmmaking, though his connection to the franchise runs deep. He previously made a cameo in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and has frequently celebrated Tolkien’s world on his late-night show, including parody sketches and cast reunions.
The Lord of the Rings film series remains one of the most acclaimed in cinematic history, with Jackson’s original trilogy earning 17 Academy Awards, including 11 for The Return of the King.
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