Stephen Colbert to develop new ‘The Lord of the Rings’ movie at Warner Bros

Warner Bros. has announced a new film set in the world of The Lord of the Rings, with Stephen Colbert and his son, screenwriter Peter McGee, attached to develop the project.

The announcement was made through an official video featuring filmmaker Peter Jackson, who is also involved in the broader expansion of the franchise. Jackson first provided an update on The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis, before introducing Colbert as a creative partner on the newly revealed film, titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past.

Colbert, a longtime fan of J.R.R. Tolkien’s work, explained that the story draws from sections of The Fellowship of the Ring that were not included in Jackson’s original trilogy. “You know what the books mean to me, and what your films mean to me,” Colbert said, adding that he revisited early chapters of the novel and saw potential for a standalone narrative within the larger mythology.

According to the film’s synopsis, the story is set years after the events of The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King. It follows Sam, Merry and Pippin as they revisit the early stages of their journey, while a new mystery involving Sam’s daughter begins to unfold, uncovering hidden aspects of the War of the Ring.

Colbert and McGee developed the concept together, later collaborating with screenwriter Philippa Boyens, who previously co-wrote the original Lord of the Rings films and The Hobbit trilogy.

The project marks Colbert’s first major involvement in a large-scale feature film, though he has previously appeared in The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug.

Warner Bros. continues to expand Tolkien’s cinematic universe, building on the success of Jackson’s earlier adaptations, which remain among the most acclaimed fantasy films ever made.