Stephen Colbert to co-write new 'Lord of the Rings' film after 'Late Show' ends

Comedian and Tolkien superfan to develop new story based on 'Fellowship of the Ring' book

Mar. 25, 2026 at 9:33am

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Stephen Colbert, the longtime host of 'The Late Show', has announced he will co-write and develop a new film in the blockbuster 'Lord of the Rings' franchise after his late-night program ends in May. Colbert, a well-known J.R.R. Tolkien superfan, will work alongside 'LOTR' director Peter Jackson and screenwriter Philippa Boyens on the project, which is tentatively titled 'Shadow of the Past' and will explore parts of 'The Fellowship of the Ring' book that were not included in the original films.

Why it matters

Colbert's involvement in the 'Lord of the Rings' franchise represents a major transition for the comedian, who is leaving his high-profile late-night hosting gig to pursue his passion for Tolkien's work. This move also signals continued interest and expansion of the lucrative 'LOTR' cinematic universe, which has generated nearly $6 billion in box office revenue across the original film trilogies.

The details

Colbert revealed he discussed the idea for the new film with his son, screenwriter Peter McGee, and has been working alongside Jackson and Boyens on developing the story, which will be based on the early chapters of 'The Fellowship of the Ring' book that were not included in the original movie adaptation. The film is set to be the second of two new 'LOTR' projects in the works at Warner Bros. Discovery.

  • Colbert announced the new project in March 2026, shortly after revealing the final episode of 'The Late Show with Stephen Colbert' will air on May 21, 2026.
  • The new 'LOTR' film, tentatively titled 'Shadow of the Past', is expected to begin production later in 2026.

The players

Stephen Colbert

The longtime host of 'The Late Show' and a well-known superfan of J.R.R. Tolkien's 'Lord of the Rings' series, who will co-write and develop a new film in the franchise after leaving his late-night hosting duties.

Peter Jackson

The acclaimed director who led the Oscar-winning team behind the original 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' film trilogies, and is collaborating with Colbert on the new project.

Philippa Boyens

The screenwriter who has worked extensively on the 'Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' films, and is also involved in the development of Colbert's new project.

Peter McGee

Colbert's son, who is a screenwriter and has worked with his father on developing the story for the new 'LOTR' film.

Warner Bros. Discovery

The parent company of CNN and New Line Cinema, which is producing the two new 'Lord of the Rings' films in development, including Colbert's project.

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What they’re saying

“I'm pretty happy about it … you know what the books mean to me and what your films mean to me.”

— Stephen Colbert

“The thing I found myself reading over and over again were the six chapters early on in (The Fellowship of the Ring) that y'all never developed into the first movie back in the day … and I thought, 'Oh, wait, maybe that could be its own story that could fit into the larger story.'”

— Stephen Colbert

What’s next

The new 'Lord of the Rings' film co-written by Stephen Colbert is expected to begin production later in 2026, following the release of the first new 'LOTR' movie, 'The Hunt for Gollum', in 2027.

The takeaway

Colbert's transition from late-night television to co-writing a new 'Lord of the Rings' film highlights his deep passion for Tolkien's work and the continued commercial appeal of the fantasy franchise. This move represents an exciting new chapter for the comedian and a further expansion of the beloved 'LOTR' cinematic universe.