Stephen Colbert to Co-Write New ‘Lord of the Rings’ Film Focused on Untold Storylines

In a surprising announcement timed with Tolkien Reading Day on March 25, 2026, Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema revealed a new live-action Lord of the Rings film titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past—with Stephen Colbert serving as a lead writer.

The project marks a major career shift for Colbert, who is set to step down from The Late Show with Stephen Colbert on May 21, 2026. He is expected to begin working on the script full-time this summer.

Colbert will collaborate with Philippa Boyens, the Oscar-winning co-writer of the original Lord of the Rings and Hobbit trilogies, as well as his son, Peter McGee. Peter Jackson, who directed the original trilogy, is attached as a producer through WingNut Films.

According to the announcement, the film will explore parts of The Fellowship of the Ring that were skipped or condensed in earlier adaptations. Specifically, it will draw from chapters 3 through 8—sections that include key early events in the hobbits’ journey.

One major highlight is the long-awaited live-action appearance of Tom Bombadil, a fan-favorite character who was absent from previous films.

The film will use a “framing device” set 14 years after Frodo Baggins leaves Middle-earth. The story follows Samwise Gamgee, Meriadoc Brandybuck, and Peregrin Took as they retrace the early steps of their original journey.

At the same time, Sam’s daughter, Elanor Gamgee, uncovers a hidden truth suggesting that the War of the Ring was nearly lost before it even began.

Shadow of the Past is the second of two new Lord of the Rings films currently in development. The first, The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, will be directed by Andy Serkis and is scheduled for release on December 17, 2027.

No release date has been announced yet for Shadow of the Past, but the involvement of Colbert—long known for his deep knowledge and passion for Tolkien’s work—has already sparked strong interest among fans.

The project signals a new direction for the franchise, focusing on unexplored parts of the story while bringing back familiar characters in a fresh narrative.