Stephen Colbert's Transition to "Lord of the Rings" Film

Stephen Colbert has announced his next career move following the conclusion of "The Late Show" on CBS in May 2026. He will co-write a new film titled "Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past," which is set to explore untold stories from J.R.R. Tolkien's universe. Colbert, a long-time fan of Tolkien's work, revealed that the film will draw from chapters of "The Fellowship of the Ring" that were not included in Peter Jackson's 2001 adaptation. The project was developed in collaboration with his son, screenwriter Peter McGee, and has been in the works for two years with the assistance of screenwriter Philippa Boyens.

Variety Magazine

Colbert's decision to pivot to this new project was influenced by fellow comedian Bill Hader, who transitioned from "Saturday Night Live" to writing for "South Park." In a recent episode of the "Smartless" podcast, Colbert expressed admiration for Hader's choice to pursue a passion project rather than focusing on his previous status. He stated, “Just go serve something that you love already... Don’t even worry about your status of your previous gig. Just go do something you love.”

Daily Beast

The film "Shadow of the Past" is set 14 years after the death of Frodo Baggins. The narrative will follow Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they retrace their original adventure, while Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret related to the War of the Ring. This storyline aims to deepen the lore of Middle-earth and provide fans with a fresh perspective on familiar characters.

Variety Magazine

Colbert's announcement was made in a joint video with Peter Jackson, who referred to Colbert as a “very special partner” in this endeavor. Colbert's enthusiasm for the project was evident as he articulated the significance of Tolkien's works to him personally.

Daily Beast

While the announcement has been met with excitement from fans of both Colbert and Tolkien, some critics have raised concerns about the necessity of additional adaptations of Tolkien's work, questioning whether new stories can capture the essence of the original material.

Variety Magazine

Colbert's final episode of "The Late Show" is scheduled for May 21, 2026. Following this, he will focus on the development of "Shadow of the Past," with expectations for further announcements regarding the film's production timeline and release date.

Variety Magazine

• “’ Just go serve something that you love already,” Colbert said.” — Stephen Colbert, Host

Variety Magazine

• “You know what the books mean to me and what your films mean to me.” — Stephen Colbert, during the announcement with Peter Jackson.

Daily Beast