‘Lord of the Rings’ Superfan Stephen Colbert to Write New Movie for Peter Jackson

Colbert was tapped to develop the script for the second of two upcoming films in the blockbuster franchise and will be working alongside his son Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens on The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past (currently a working title). The installment will follow Lord of the Rings: Hunt for Gollum, which is being directed by Gollum actor Andy Serki.

A synopsis of Shadow of the Past sets the film 14 years after the passing of Frodo, and will follow Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they “set out to retrace the first steps of their adventure.” The teaser hints that “Sam’s daughter, Elanor, has discovered a long-buried secret and is determined to uncover why the War of the Ring was very nearly lost before it even began.” Warner Bros.

unveiled the news on Tuesday night with a video announcement opening with director Peter Jackson , who adapted J.R.R. Tolkien’s The Lord of the Rings trilogy (2001–2003) and the Hobbit trilogy (2012–2014). Jackson hinted at a “very special partner” who he will be working with after The...