The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past

The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past is in early script development at Warner Bros. Pictures and New Line Cinema, with Stephen Colbert co-writing alongside his son Peter McGee and franchise veteran Philippa Boyens. Peter Jackson is producing through WingNut Films in association with Colbert's Spartina Productions. The project adapts chapters three through eight of The Fellowship of the Ring—material omitted from Jackson's 2001 film—including the character Tom Bombadil. The narrative follows Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they retrace their original adventure fourteen years after Frodo's departure, while Sam's daughter Elanor uncovers a buried secret about the War of the Ring. Colbert pitched the concept to Jackson over a year ago, and they've been developing the treatment with Boyens, including trips to New Zealand for collaboration. This film will follow The Hunt for Gollum, scheduled for December 2027 release.