Stephen Colbert is collaborating with Peter Jackson on a new 'Lord of the Rings' film after CBS's cancellation of 'The Late Show,' set to air its final episode on May 21.
Colbert's Passion for Tolkien
Peter Jackson revealed Colbert's deep knowledge of Tolkien's work, stating, "I’ve never met anyone who knows more about Tolkien." The collaboration began when Colbert pitched Jackson an idea for a Tolkien movie before learning about 'The Late Show' ending, Jackson shared at the Cannes Film Festival, where he received a Palme d’Or.
Developing the Film
Colbert's pitch impressed Jackson enough to pair him with Philippa Boyens, Jackson's long-time collaborator and co-writer of both 'The Lord of the Rings' and 'The Hobbit' trilogies. Colbert even traveled to New Zealand to work closely with the team over the past year. The project, announced by Jackson in late March, is titled 'The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past' and follows Andy Serkis' 'The Hunt for Gollum.'
Plot and Team
The film, co-written by Colbert, his son Peter McGee, and Boyens, centers on Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing their adventures 14 years after Frodo's passing. Meanwhile, Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a secret threatening to alter the history of the War of the Ring. This collaboration is Colbert's first major venture into blockbuster filmmaking, although he previously appeared in 'The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug' and directed the 2019 short film 'Darrylgorn.'
Personal Impact
Despite the unexpected cancellation of 'The Late Show,' Jackson believes the new project has been a positive outlet for Colbert. "I think Steven’s actually really happy — I think it helped him process [something that] was rather shocking," Jackson commented, noting the transition from talk show host to Tolkien scriptwriter.
Source: https://variety.com/2026/film/global/stephen-colbert-pitched-lord-of-the-rings-before-late-show-canceled-1236748427/
