Warner Bros. is heading back to Middle-Earth once again, but this time with an unexpected creative partner. The studio announced that Stephen Colbert, best known as the host of The Late Show, is developing a new Lord of the Rings film alongside his son, screenwriter Peter McGee.
Reported by Variety, the announcement came via the studio’s social media channels, revealing that the project will follow the upcoming film The Hunt for Gollum, which is currently in development and expected to arrive in 2027.
A New Story Set After Frodo’s Journey
Colbert’s project, titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past, takes a different approach than previous entries in the franchise.
Rather than retelling familiar events, the film explores what happens years after the War of the Ring. According to the official logline, the story follows Samwise Gamgee, Merry, and Pippin as they retrace the early steps of their original journey. At the same time, Sam’s daughter, Elanor, uncovers a hidden mystery tied to the war… one that suggests events may not have unfolded exactly as history recorded.
The concept is rooted in material from J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring that didn’t make it into Peter Jackson’s original 2001 film adaptation. Colbert, a longtime Tolkien fan, has said those early chapters always felt like a story worth exploring on their own.
The idea reportedly came together over the past two years, with Colbert and McGee working alongside longtime Lord of the Rings writer Philippa Boyens. Boyens previously co-wrote both the original trilogy and The Hobbit films, making her involvement a strong link to the franchise’s cinematic legacy.
Colbert’s connection to Middle-Earth isn’t new either. He previously appeared in a cameo role in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and has collaborated with Peter Jackson on other creative projects.
This marks his first time stepping into blockbuster film development, but his deep knowledge of Tolkien’s work makes him a unique addition to the creative team.
What About “The Hunt for Gollum”?
Before Shadows of the Past arrives, fans will first see The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis.
Peter Jackson shared an update on that film as part of the same announcement, noting that the project is progressing well and that the script is coming together. While details remain limited, the film is expected to focus on Gollum’s movements during a lesser-explored period of the story.
Where to Watch the Existing “Lord of the Rings” Movies
How to Watch The Lord of the Rings Movies and Series
If you want to revisit Middle-Earth before the next film arrives, the core Lord of the Rings trilogy is currently available to stream on HBO. That includes The Fellowship of the Ring, The Two Towers, and The Return of the King.
For those looking to explore newer stories set in Tolkien’s world, The Lord of the Rings: The Rings of Power is available exclusively on Prime Video. The series expands the mythology of Middle-Earth with a timeline set thousands of years before the original films.
You can also stream The Hobbit trilogy if you want to explore more of Middle-Earth beyond the original films. The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey is currently available on HBO and through DIRECTV, while The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug and The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies are both available on HBO.
Together, these films serve as a prequel to The Lord of the Rings, following Bilbo Baggins’ journey years before Frodo’s story begins and setting up many of the key events and characters that define the larger Middle-Earth saga.
By focusing on overlooked chapters and lesser-seen moments, Shadows of the Past could offer longtime fans something new while still staying connected to the world they already know.
And with someone like Stephen Colbert, a self-professed Tolkien expert, helping shape the story, this next chapter in Middle-Earth may be one of its most personal yet.