Stephen Colbert, renowned host of The Late Show and an avid J.R.R. Tolkien enthusiast, is embarking on a dream project as he prepares to leave late-night television. He will co-write a new Lord of the Rings film, announced on March 25, 2026, by director Peter Jackson during a special video presentation for Tolkien Reading Day. The tentative title of the film is The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past.
Colbert is collaborating with his son, Peter McGee, and Philippa Boyens, the acclaimed screenwriter who co-wrote the original Peter Jackson Lord of the Rings trilogy. The story draws from early chapters of The Fellowship of the Ring—specifically chapters III through VIII, including “Three is Company” and “Fog on the Barrow-Downs”—which were omitted from the 2001–2003 blockbuster adaptations. However, the film is set 14 years after the events of The Return of the King, serving more as a sequel than a direct retelling.
The plot follows beloved hobbits Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they revisit the initial stages of their legendary journey. Additionally, Sam’s daughter, Elanor, embarks on her own quest after uncovering a significant secret. Colbert and his son had been quietly developing the concept for several years before presenting it to Jackson, who responded enthusiastically.
The production is a collaboration between Jackson’s WingNut Films and Colbert’s Spartina production company, with Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema also involved. This project is the second major Lord of the Rings theatrical venture currently underway, following Andy Serkis’ upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum, which Serkis is directing and starring in as Gollum.
No casting information has been disclosed for Shadow of the Past, though fans are already speculating about the possible return of Sean Astin, Billy Boyd, and Dominic Monaghan as Sam, Pippin, and Merry. The announcement coincides with the 25th anniversary of The Fellowship of the Ring and the recent theatrical re-release of the full trilogy.
While no release date has been set, this new film promises to offer devoted fans fresh adventures in Middle-earth while remaining true to the spirit of Tolkien’s original work.
