Summary (tl;dr)

Longtime "Lord of the Rings" superfan and outgoing "Late Show" host Stephen Colbert is set to co-write a new Middle-earth film titled "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past," which will delve into previously unadapted sections of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Fellowship of the Ring." This announcement follows news of "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," an upcoming film directed by Andy Serkis.

Essential Background

Stephen Colbert has long been recognized for his profound knowledge and passion for J.R.R. Tolkien's works, frequently showcasing his fandom on "The Late Show" and participating in "Lord of the Rings" and "Hobbit" related events, including a cameo in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug". The cinematic world of Middle-earth has seen renewed interest with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema announcing multiple new film adaptations following their deal with Embracer Group AB, which holds the film rights. This includes the previously revealed "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," slated for release in December 2027.

The Full Story

On Tuesday, March 25, 2026, Peter Jackson, the acclaimed director of "The Lord of the Rings" and "The Hobbit" trilogies, announced in a social media video that Stephen Colbert will co-write an upcoming "Lord of the Rings" film, "The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past". Colbert will pen the screenplay alongside his son, Peter McGee, and Philippa Boyens, a veteran writer from Jackson's previous Middle-earth projects. The new movie is planned to follow "The Hunt for Gollum" and will explore material from chapters three to eight of "The Fellowship of the Ring," which were notably absent from Jackson's initial film adaptation, including elements like the Barrow-downs and the character Tom Bombadil. The film is set 14 years after the passing of Frodo and will follow Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing their initial adventure, while Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret. Colbert stated his inspiration came from re-reading these specific chapters and developing a story that would be faithful to both Tolkien's books and Jackson's existing films. This announcement comes as Colbert prepares to conclude his tenure as host of "The Late Show" in May.

Why It Matters

This news is highly significant for "Lord of the Rings" fans, as it signals a continued expansion of the cinematic universe with direct involvement from creative minds connected to the original acclaimed trilogy. Stephen Colbert's deep, personal connection to Tolkien's mythology and his stated commitment to honoring both the books and previous films will likely be seen as a positive by many fans. The choice to adapt previously unfilmed chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring," particularly those featuring fan-favorite characters like Tom Bombadil, addresses a long-standing desire among purists to see more of Tolkien's intricate world brought to the screen. This new project, alongside "The Hunt for Gollum," reinforces Warner Bros.' strategy to leverage its established franchises and offers a fresh perspective on Middle-earth lore for both long-time devotees and new audiences.

Geographic Location

• Burbank, Los Angeles County, California, United States (Warner Bros. announcement of the new film)
• New Zealand (confirmed filming location for "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum")