Steven Colbert writing LOTR sequel movie???? - The Barrow-Downs Discussion Forum

William Cloud Hicklin · 03-25-2026, 08:31 PM

Yes- based on The New Shadow, and reportedly already has a production deal.

https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertain...riter/6481270/

Whiskey tango actual foxtrot?

Leaving aside his "qualifications". how the devil did he secure the rights (assuming he did)? Neither the Zaentz nor the Amazon licenses touch HoME material.

Needless to say, there's no movie in the single chapter Tolkien actually wrote. Expect more worthless fan-fic like Rohirrim and 3/4 of Hobbit.

Galadriel55 · Yesterday, 06:52 AM

Well, if it's not a prank post (and we are still a bit early for April Fools), at the very least it's frank fan fiction - the movie allegedly "follows a new adventure for Sam, Merry and Pippin 14 years after the passing of Frodo".

Inziladun · Yesterday, 11:46 AM

A project in the ongoing quest to squeeze Tolkien's work for cash until it screams, from the mind of a highly politically partisan, unfunny late-night host? What could possibly go wrong?

***Mithadan*** · Yesterday, 03:54 PM

While Colbert's plan involves "a new adventure for Sam, Merry and Pippin 14 years after the passing of Frodo," what I've seen elsewhere is that he will use a journey involving the Hobbits as a framing device to explore matters from the first six chapters of FoTR and why the War of the Ring happened. I saw an interview with him where he specifically mentions Fog on the Barrow-Downs. That said, I am not clear on exactly what the story will be.

The production involves Warner Brothers and Philippa Boyens, indicating a New Line link. It's been a while since I paid attention to the licensing of Tolkien's work, but this one seems to derive from Tolkien's conveyance of rights to United Artists, then to Saul Zaentz which then went to Tolkien Enterprises and subsequently to New Line. The License to New Line was either limited or non-exclusive, and similar rights were then conveyed to Embracer. The rights conveyed were only to The Hobbit and the main text of LoTR, but not the appendices or any of his other unpublished writings. Amazon acquired the rights to the appendices from the Tolkien Estate, thus The Rings of Power.

Colbert is, by reputation, a real Middle Earth fan. But, then again, so was Bezos, by reputation. All said, I am willing to keep an open mind. Then again, I'm a real fan and I've even written fan fiction. Wait a minute... (consults address book for movie industry contacts).

03-25-2026, 08:31 PM	#1
William Cloud Hicklin Loremaster of Annúminas Join Date: Oct 2006 Posts: 2,331	Steven Colbert writing LOTR sequel movie???? Yes- based on The New Shadow, and reportedly already has a production deal. https://www.nbcnewyork.com/entertain...riter/6481270/ Whiskey tango actual foxtrot? Leaving aside his "qualifications". how the devil did he secure the rights (assuming he did)? Neither the Zaentz nor the Amazon licenses touch HoME material. Needless to say, there's no movie in the single chapter Tolkien actually wrote. Expect more worthless fan-fic like Rohirrim and 3/4 of Hobbit. __________________ The entire plot of The Lord of the Rings could be said to turn on what Sauron didn’t know, and when he didn’t know it.

Yesterday, 06:52 AM	#2
Galadriel55 Blossom of Dwimordene Join Date: Oct 2010 Location: The realm of forgotten words Posts: 10,553	Well, if it's not a prank post (and we are still a bit early for April Fools), at the very least it's frank fan fiction - the movie allegedly "follows a new adventure for Sam, Merry and Pippin 14 years after the passing of Frodo". __________________ You passed from under darkened dome, you enter now the secret land. - Take me to Finrod's fabled home!... ~ Finrod: The Rock Opera

Yesterday, 11:46 AM	#3
Inziladun Gruesome Spectre Join Date: Dec 2000 Location: Heaven's doorstep Posts: 8,042	A project in the ongoing quest to squeeze Tolkien's work for cash until it screams, from the mind of a highly politically partisan, unfunny late-night host? What could possibly go wrong? __________________ Music alone proves the existence of God.

Yesterday, 03:54 PM	#4
*Mithadan* Spirit of Mist Join Date: Jul 2000 Location: Tol Eressea Posts: 3,400	While Colbert's plan involves "a new adventure for Sam, Merry and Pippin 14 years after the passing of Frodo," what I've seen elsewhere is that he will use a journey involving the Hobbits as a framing device to explore matters from the first six chapters of FoTR and why the War of the Ring happened. I saw an interview with him where he specifically mentions Fog on the Barrow-Downs. That said, I am not clear on exactly what the story will be. The production involves Warner Brothers and Philippa Boyens, indicating a New Line link. It's been a while since I paid attention to the licensing of Tolkien's work, but this one seems to derive from Tolkien's conveyance of rights to United Artists, then to Saul Zaentz which then went to Tolkien Enterprises and subsequently to New Line. The License to New Line was either limited or non-exclusive, and similar rights were then conveyed to Embracer. The rights conveyed were only to The Hobbit and the main text of LoTR, but not the appendices or any of his other unpublished writings. Amazon acquired the rights to the appendices from the Tolkien Estate, thus The Rings of Power. Colbert is, by reputation, a real Middle Earth fan. But, then again, so was Bezos, by reputation. All said, I am willing to keep an open mind. Then again, I'm a real fan and I've even written fan fiction. Wait a minute... (consults address book for movie industry contacts). __________________ Beleriand, Beleriand, the borders of the Elven-land.

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