Talk show host Stephen Colbert to write new Lord of the Rings film

US TV host Stephen Colbert, a known JRR Tolkien superfan, is set to co-write a new Lord of the Rings film with his son, screenwriter Peter McGee. The film, titled “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past,” will adapt chapters three to eight of “The Fellowship of the Ring,” focusing on Frodo and his fellow hobbits as they begin their epic quest. Colbert, whose late-night talk show is ending after 33 years, will have the time to work on this project starting this summer. The film’s story will explore events 14 years after Frodo’s departure, with Sam, Merry, and Pippin retracing their adventure’s first steps, while Sam’s daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret. Colbert collaborates with Philippa Boyens, co-writer of previous Lord of the Rings films, and director Peter Jackson, who expressed enthusiasm for the project. QUESTION: How might Stephen Colbert’s passion for JRR Tolkien’s work influence the adaptation of “The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past”?