Stephen Colbert and Son Develop New "Lord of the Rings" Film

Warner Bros. has announced that Stephen Colbert and his son, Peter McGee, are developing a new film in the "Lord of the Rings" franchise. The announcement was made on March 25, 2026, coinciding with Tolkien Reading Day, and featured a video message from director Peter Jackson. Jackson provided an update on another project, "The Hunt for Gollum," and introduced Colbert as his "very special partner" for the upcoming film.

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Colbert, a well-known Tolkien enthusiast, revealed that the new film will focus on six chapters from "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in Jackson's original 2001 adaptation. Specifically, Colbert mentioned the chapters "Three is Company" through "Fog on the Barrow-Downs." He expressed his desire to create a story that remains faithful to both the original books and the cinematic adaptations. Over the past two years, Colbert, McGee, and Jackson have collaborated with screenwriter Philippa Boyens to develop the script, incorporating a unique "framing device" for the narrative.

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J.R.R. Tolkien's "The Lord of the Rings" trilogy was published in the 1950s, following the success of his earlier work, "The Hobbit," released in 1937. Peter Jackson adapted the trilogy into three highly acclaimed films, released between 2001 and 2003, which collectively won 17 Academy Awards, including 11 for the final installment, "The Return of the King." Jackson also adapted "The Hobbit," which was released as a trilogy from 2012 to 2014.

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In the announcement, Jackson praised Colbert's enthusiasm for Tolkien's work, stating, "Andy is doing a terrific job. It’s looking amazing. The script is coming together really well." Colbert emphasized the importance of the original text, saying, "You know what the books mean to me, and what your films mean to me."

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While the announcement has been met with excitement from fans of the franchise, some critics have expressed skepticism regarding the necessity of revisiting material already adapted by Jackson. Concerns have been raised about the potential for the new film to overshadow the original trilogy's legacy.

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As the project progresses, further details regarding the film's release date and casting are anticipated. The collaboration between Colbert and Jackson is expected to generate significant interest within the film community and among Tolkien fans worldwide.

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