Stephen Colbert, a well-known enthusiast of J.R.R. Tolkien’s Middle-earth, is collaborating with his son on a new Lord of the Rings movie. Warner Bros. revealed on Wednesday that Colbert, alongside series veteran Philippa Boyens and his son Peter McGee, will be co-writing the script for The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past. Producer Peter Jackson shared Colbert’s involvement in a social media video introducing a “very special partner” for the film.
Colbert shared that a few years ago, during a conversation with his son, he came up with a potential concept for the movie. The storyline revolves around a new adventure for Sam, Merry, and Pippin set 14 years after Frodo’s passing.
Expressing his deep admiration for the books and films, Colbert revealed his inspiration from early chapters in The Fellowship of the Ring that were not included in the initial movie adaptation. He aimed to create a narrative that stays true to both the original books and the existing film series.
The upcoming film, Shadow of the Past, adds to the lineage of Lord of the Rings adaptations, following the success of previous projects by Jackson. In addition to Jackson’s trilogies, there have been prequels based on The Hobbit and the anime The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim released in 2024.
Scheduled to follow Andy Serkis’ forthcoming The Hunt for Gollum, also produced by Jackson, Shadow of the Past will bring a fresh take to the beloved franchise. It comes amidst other notable adaptations like the Amazon Prime series, The Rings of Power, which made headlines for its record-breaking production costs.
Furthermore, the gaming realm has seen a variety of Lord of the Rings titles over the years, with some receiving mixed reviews. While some games like The Return of the King were well-received, others like The Lord of the Rings: Gollum faced criticism for their gameplay. Reports suggest a new game set in the Lord of the Rings universe is in the works to rival popular titles like Hogwarts Legacy>em>.
As a dedicated fan, Colbert has showcased his extensive knowledge of Lord of the Rings through various interactions with the film’s cast and crew. His upcoming project with his son marks a significant milestone in his ongoing connection to the beloved fantasy universe.