Stephen Colbert is set to step into Middle-earth, with the television host confirmed as a co-writer on an upcoming instalment in ‘The Lord of the Rings’ film series.
The project, tentatively titled ‘The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past’, will be developed by Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema. Colbert will collaborate with Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, alongside the original creative team led by Peter Jackson and Fran Walsh.
The film is expected to draw from the ‘Fog on the Barrow-downs’ chapter of ‘The Fellowship of the Ring’, a section not explored in earlier adaptations. The storyline introduces elements such as the Barrow-wight and the long-absent character Tom Bombadil, both well known to readers of the books.
Set years after Frodo’s journey, the narrative will follow familiar characters including Sam, Merry and Pippin, while also introducing a new thread centred on Sam’s daughter as she uncovers secrets tied to the War of the Ring.
The announcement comes as Colbert prepares to leave ‘The Late Show with Stephen Colbert’ later this year. A long-time admirer of Tolkien’s work, he has often spoken about his deep connection to the series.
Meanwhile, the franchise continues to expand, with ‘The Hunt for Gollum’, directed by Andy Serkis, scheduled for release in 2027.
