Late-night host Stephen Colbert is hanging up his mic after 11 years. He revealed in a video announcement that he will co-write the next The Lord of the Rings movie when his program wraps up in May, according to Fox News. This is a massive shift for the beloved host, taking him from interviewing celebrities to crafting epic fantasy tales. We’re talking about a real dream come true for any fan of Middle-earth.
The new film, titled The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past, is set to delve into some untouched lore from J.R.R. Tolkien’s original work. Colbert explained in a video alongside Lord of the Rings director Peter Jackson that the movie will be based on Fog on the Barrow-downs, which is chapter eight of The Fellowship of the Ring.
He mentioned how much the books and films mean to him, but he just kept going back to those six early chapters in Fellowship that never made it into the first movie. It sounds like he’s going to explore some really deep cuts, which is awesome for hardcore fans like him. Colbert won’t be flying solo on this writing adventure, as Philippa Boyens and Peter McGee are also on board to pen the script.
This is basically a fan getting to rewrite his favorite world
Colbert’s show, The Late Show, is officially set to end on May 21. CBS had announced in 2025 that Colbert’s program would be canceled this spring, stating this was “purely a financial decision against a challenging backdrop in late night.” However, the relationship has seen recent friction, especially after Colbert ripped CBS for scrubbing a crucial interview. It’s a tough business out there, and it seems even a titan like Colbert isn’t immune to the financial and editorial pressures.
Before this big reveal, the late-night host addressed a bunch of rumors about his next career move during an appearance on Late Night with Seth Meyers. Meyers brought up the idea of Colbert running for office, which was one of the more talked-about possibilities. Colbert didn’t shut it down completely, stating he would have to discuss it with his faith leader and his family.
He added that if there was a way for him to serve the American people that could possibly be greater than hosting a late-night television show, he would definitely consider it. Another rumor floating around was a hefty $13.5 million deal with Netflix. Colbert, ever the comedian, quipped that the sum was “not enough money.” It’s clear he’s got his sights set on something more fulfilling than just another streaming deal. His deep passion for The Lord of the Rings isn’t new, either.
He’s been a longtime fan, even hosting panels at the 2014 Comic-Con for The Hobbit: The Battle of Five Armies.
Published: Mar 25, 2026 03:15 pm