Stephen Colbert Pitched 'Lord of the Rings' Movie Before 'Late Show' Canceled
Variety • • entertainment
Key Points:
- Peter Jackson praised Stephen Colbert as the most knowledgeable Tolkien expert he has ever met while discussing their collaboration on a new "Lord of the Rings" film.
- Colbert approached Jackson with the idea for a Tolkien-based movie before his late night show was canceled, leading to a year-long writing process with Jackson’s collaborator Philippa Boyens.
- Despite the cancellation of "The Late Show," Jackson believes the new project has helped Colbert transition and find purpose beyond his talk show career.
- The upcoming film, titled "The Lord of the Rings: Shadows of the Past," follows Sam, Merry, Pippin, and Sam’s daughter Elanor uncovering secrets related to the War of the Ring.
- This marks Colbert’s first major blockbuster project, though he previously had a small role in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug" and directed a Tolkien-themed short film featuring Jackson and original cast members.