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Stephen Colbert to Write New Lord of the Rings Film Following Late Show Cancellation

Entertainment5/14/2026
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Stephen Colbert is co-writing a new Lord of the Rings film, 'The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past', with Philippa Boyens and his son Peter McGee. The project follows the cancellation of Colbert's 'The Late Show', with its final episode scheduled for May 21. The film will follow Andy Serkis' 'The Hunt for Gollum' and is set fourteen years after the passing of Frodo.

Facts First

  • Stephen Colbert is co-writing a new Lord of the Rings film titled 'The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past'.
  • The film will follow Andy Serkis' 'The Hunt for Gollum' in the series chronology.
  • Colbert's 'The Late Show' was canceled by CBS, with the final episode scheduled for May 21.
  • Colbert worked on the treatment for one year with co-writer Philippa Boyens after being introduced by Peter Jackson.
  • The film's logline focuses on Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing their adventure, with Sam's daughter Elanor uncovering a secret.

What Happened

Stephen Colbert is co-writing a new Lord of the Rings film, 'The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past', with Philippa Boyens and his son Peter McGee. The project was first announced by Peter Jackson via video in late March. Colbert had proposed an idea for a Tolkien movie to Jackson one year ago, prior to knowing his show was ending. Jackson then introduced Colbert to Boyens, a co-writer of 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies, and the pair worked on a treatment for one year. During this time, Colbert traveled to New Zealand to be near the production team. Concurrently, CBS canceled 'The Late Show', with the final episode scheduled for May 21.

Why this Matters to You

If you are a fan of Tolkien's world, this could mean a new cinematic story exploring beloved characters and their legacy. The involvement of established writers like Philippa Boyens suggests the project aims for authenticity within the existing film universe. The film's focus on the original hobbits and a new generation might offer a fresh perspective that bridges the familiar and the new.

What's Next

The film, 'The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past', will follow Andy Serkis' 'The Hunt for Gollum' in the series chronology. The official logline states the story will follow Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they set out to retrace the first steps of their adventure, while Sam’s daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret about why the War of the Ring was nearly lost.

Perspectives

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Peter Jackson maintains that Stephen Colbert possesses unparalleled knowledge of Tolkien's work and suggests that the cancellation of 'The Late Show' was an undeserved outcome for the program and its host.
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Peter Jackson contends that the sudden shift into a major new project served as a beneficial way for Colbert to process the 'shocking' experience of losing his television role.