Stephen Colbert is actively working on the script for "The Lord of the Rings: The Shadow of the Past." The former host of The Late Show spoke about the project after the Emmy Awards, where he flew in from New Zealand.
"That's what I'm doing right now. It takes a lot of time. Have you ever written a 'Lord of the Rings' movie? It's a full-time job."
The action will unfold 14 years after Frodo's departure from Middle-earth. Sam, Merry, and Pippin will once again retrace their first journey. According to the synopsis, this storyline will serve as a framework for recreating events from chapters three to eight of "The Fellowship of the Ring," a significant portion of which was not included in Peter Jackson's adaptation — likely to be shown in flashbacks during the heroes' new journey.
Such episodes will include the hobbits' encounter with Old Man Willow and Tom Bombadil, as well as their capture by the Barrow-wights in the Barrow-downs. Concurrently, Sam's daughter Elanor will uncover a secret related to why the War of the Ring was almost lost before it even began.
"The Shadow of the Past" currently has no director, cast, or premiere date. The film will be released after "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," which Warner Bros. has scheduled for December 17, 2027.