Stephen Colbert Is Co-Writing a New Lord of the Rings Movie, Working Title Revealed

Stephen Colbert is stepping into Middle-earth in a big way, teaming up with Warner Bros. to co-develop a new Lord of the Rings film, with early details already sparking excitement among longtime Tolkien fans.

Stephen Colbert and his son are developing new Lord of the Rings movie

Warner Bros. confirmed that Colbert and his son, screenwriter Peter McGee, are working on a new entry in the The Lord of the Rings universe. The announcement came through a studio video that also featured director Peter Jackson, who introduced the project as part of a larger expansion of the fantasy franchise.

Colbert, a well-known fan of J. R. R. Tolkien, shared that the idea came from sections of The Fellowship of the Ring that were never explored in earlier films. “The thing I found myself reading over and over again were the six chapters… that ya’ll never develop,” he said. Colbert added, “Maybe that could be its own story that could fit into the larger story. Could we make something that was completely faithful to the books while also being completely faithful to the movies that you guys had already made?”

The film, currently titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past, will follow events years after Frodo’s journey. According to its early logline, Sam, Merry, and Pippin revisit their original path, while Sam’s daughter Elanor uncovers a hidden truth tied to the War of the Ring. The story aims to connect deeply with both the books and the existing film universe.

Colbert and McGee spent about two years shaping the script alongside returning writer Philippa Boyens, who worked on the original trilogy. This collaboration builds on Colbert’s earlier connection to the franchise, including a cameo in The Hobbit series and creative projects tied to Middle-earth.

The upcoming film will follow The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis and set for release in 2027.

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