Stephen Colbert, a well-known admirer of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, is collaborating with his son on a new movie based on Lord of the Rings. Warner Bros. revealed on Wednesday that Colbert, alongside veteran series creators Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee, will be working on The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past. The involvement of Colbert was unveiled by producer Peter Jackson in a social media video introducing a “very special partner” for the film.
Colbert shared that it took him some time to muster the courage to reach out to Jackson, but their collaboration began about two years ago. Together with Boyens, they have been shaping the storyline for the movie. The idea for the film stemmed from a conversation Colbert had with his son a few years back, leading to a new adventure involving Sam, Merry, and Pippin, set 14 years after Frodo’s passing.
Expressing his deep connection to the books and films, Colbert highlighted a specific part of The Fellowship of the Ring that had resonated with him and inspired his idea for a standalone story within the broader narrative. The aim is to create a film that honors both the original books and the existing movie adaptations.
The upcoming movie, Shadow of the Past, adds to the lineage of successful Lord of the Rings adaptations, following Peter Jackson’s acclaimed trilogy and subsequent works based on Tolkien’s writings. Notably, Andy Serkis’ The Hunt for Gollum, also produced by Jackson, is scheduled for release next year.
In the realm of adaptations, the Amazon Prime series The Rings of Power made headlines for being one of the most expensive shows ever made, with a reported budget of around $1 billion US for its first season. While receiving positive reviews, the show’s third season release date is still pending.
On the gaming front, the Lord of the Rings franchise has seen a mix of success and criticism. While titles like The Return of the King and the Middle-Earth series garnered acclaim, 2023’s The Lord of the Rings: Gollum faced significant backlash as one of the worst video games ever released. In contrast, 2025’s Tales of the Shire from Wētā Workshop received a more varied reception.
Reports suggest a new Lord of the Rings game is in the works to compete with popular titles like Hogwarts Legacy. Colbert’s deep passion for the franchise has been evident through his interactions with cast members and his impressive knowledge of Lord of the Rings lore.
As Colbert prepares for the end of The Late Show on CBS, where he has celebrated the franchise and its milestones, his involvement in the new Lord of the Rings film adds another chapter to his enduring connection to Tolkien’s world.