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Stephen Colbert to co-write new Lord of the Rings film Shadow of the Past

Peter Jackson announced that Stephen Colbert will co-write a new Lord of the Rings film titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, a story set 14 years after Frodo's passing that follows Sam, Merry and Pippin and Sam's daughter Elanor as they uncover a hidden threat to the War of the Ring.

Mar 25th 2026 · United States

Insights

  • Stephen Colbert will co-write The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past with Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee.
  • The film is set 14 years after Frodo's death and follows Sam, Merry and Pippin as they retrace their earlier journey while Sam's daughter Elanor uncovers a long-buried secret.
  • Peter Jackson announced the project in a video and will produce alongside Boyens and Fran Walsh.
  • Colbert developed the outline after rereading early chapters of The Fellowship and will be free to work on the film after leaving The Late Show in May.
  • Warner Bros approved the project and it is separate from Andy Serkis's upcoming Lord of the Rings film The Hunt for Gollum.

Sources