New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Movie Coming From Superfan Stephen Colbert

Warner Bros. has given the green light to a new Lord of the Rings movie, tentatively called The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past. The announcement was made on March 25 during a joint video appearance with original trilogy director Peter Jackson and late-night host Stephen Colbert, who is also a longtime Tolkien superfan.

The film aims to bring to life parts of The Fellowship of the Ring that didn’t make it into the 2001 movie. Colbert revealed that he came up with the idea alongside his son, screenwriter Peter McGee. The story will focus on the early adventures of the hobbits, covering the chapters from Three is Company to Fog on the Barrow-downs.

Colbert explained that his goal is to honor both Tolkien’s books and the tone of Jackson’s films. “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?” he asked during the announcement.

The movie is set fourteen years after Frodo leaves the Shire, looking back at the start of the great quest. Sam, Merry, and Pippin are said to reunite to revisit the beginning of their journey, framing the “lost” adventures of the past.

A key subplot will follow Sam’s daughter, Elanor, who discovers a hidden secret showing that the War of the Ring was almost lost in its early days. Fans will also get to see the long-awaited on-screen debut of Tom Bombadil, a fan-favorite character who was cut from the first movie.

The story will feature Frodo and his friends trapped in a thick mist on the Barrow-downs and captured by Barrow-wights, malevolent spirits from Tolkien’s book. Jackson confirmed that his longtime collaborator Philippa Boyens has joined the writing team to ensure the script fits perfectly within the existing Middle-earth films.

While Shadows of the Past is still early in development, another Middle-earth film is moving ahead. The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis, is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027. Jackson said the script is coming together nicely and promised it will be a great film.

Several actors from the original trilogy are expected to return. Sir Ian McKellen and Elijah Wood have hinted at reprising their roles as Gandalf and Frodo, with McKellen joking that it feels like “getting the band back together.”

Production for The Hunt for Gollum will begin in New Zealand in May, using advanced digital effects to allow the original actors to reprise their characters despite the years that have passed.

For Colbert, moving into blockbuster screenwriting marks a big step. Known for his deep love of Tolkien, he has often shown off his knowledge in comedic segments on The Late Show. This project allows him to take his passion for Middle-earth from fan to creator, turning years of enthusiasm into a major cinematic adventure.

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