Stephen Colbert goes from late night to ‘Lord of the Rings’: Host set to co-write new movie script

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With his late-night show ending in under two months, Stephen Colbert is already set to work on a new project: he’ll be co-writing the script for a future “Lord of the Rings” film.

Filmmaker Peter Jackson, known for directing the movie adaptations of J.R.R. Tolkien’s fantasy novels in the early 2000s, announced on social media Tuesday that Stephen Colbert will be collaborating with him on a special project. In a video posted online, Jackson hinted at Colbert’s involvement, and Colbert confirmed he’s excited about contributing as a screenwriter.

Stephen Colbert, well-known for being a “Lord of the Rings” enthusiast, started a recent video by sharing his appreciation for both Tolkien’s books and Peter Jackson’s movies. He then pointed out that the initial sections of “The Fellowship of the Ring” could work well as a standalone story within the broader narrative.

Hollywood Inc.

I was reading that some royal families in the Middle East had apparently committed a massive $24 billion to back Larry Ellison’s attempt to purchase Warner Bros. Discovery. It’s pretty incredible to think about that kind of money being involved in a potential Hollywood takeover!

The 61-year-old TV personality and screenwriter explained that the idea for his latest movie came about through a collaboration with his son, Peter McGee, who is also a screenwriter. He told Jackson, “It took me a couple of years to build up the nerve to reach out, but about two years ago, I finally did. You responded positively and wanted to discuss it further.”

Colbert explained that he and Jackson continued developing the project with experienced screenwriter Philippa Boyens, then presented it to NewLine and Warner Bros. Discovery. Boyens previously helped guide the making of both the “Lord of the Rings” and “The Hobbit” movie trilogies, alongside Jackson and fellow screenwriter Fran Walsh.

“I could not be happier to say that they loved it,” Colbert continued.

Colbert was concerned about juggling the new “Lord of the Rings” movie with his show, but he’s now confirmed he’ll have free time starting this summer.

Hollywood Inc.

If regulators allow it, the Ellison family would own both CNN and CBS News after the merger.

CBS, the network that airs “The Late Show With Stephen Colbert,” has announced it will cancel the program in 2025 after over ten years. The last episode will broadcast on May 21st.

Following the news that his show was ending, Stephen Colbert publicly criticized Paramount Global, CBS’s parent company. He specifically called out the company’s $16 million settlement payment to Donald Trump, which stemmed from edits made to a “60 Minutes” interview with Kamala Harris, labeling it a “big fat bribe.” Colbert also mentioned the company’s merger with Skydance Media, whose founder, David Ellison, is the son of Oracle billionaire Larry Ellison.

Despite the recent announcement that “The Late Show” will end in May, it appears host Stephen Colbert will continue working with Paramount. In February, a company led by David Ellison, Paramount Skydance, successfully bid to buy Warner Bros. Discovery, beating out Netflix. According to Deadline, the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery is expected to be completed by the end of this year.

As a huge cinema fan, I was thrilled to hear Warner Bros. Discovery announce in May 2024 that they’re revisiting Middle-earth with two new films! The first one, and a particularly exciting piece of news for me, is “The Hunt for Gollum,” and it’s going to be directed by and star Andy Serkis, who of course, brilliantly brought Gollum to life in the original “Lord of the Rings” trilogy.

Movies

Peter Jackson, who directed the original ‘Lord of the Rings’ films, is teaming up again with screenwriters Fran Walsh and Philippa Boyens, and actor Andy Serkis to create ‘The Hunt for Gollum.’

Deadline reports that the upcoming “Lord of the Rings” project with Stephen Colbert is currently called “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past.” It takes place over a decade after Frodo’s death, and follows Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they revisit the beginning of their original journey. Meanwhile, a new group of characters attempts to uncover a hidden secret from the past.

When Stephen Colbert was announced as a screenwriter for a new project, fans of “The Lord of the Rings” had mixed reactions online. Some were thrilled about the late-night host joining the team, while others voiced their concerns about his involvement.

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2026-03-25 22:01