Stephen Colbert Develops Lord of the Rings Movie After Leaving Late-Night TV

May 15, 2026, 11:52
New ZealandEntertainment

Introduction

Stephen Colbert is currently writing a screenplay for a new Lord of the Rings movie after his CBS talk show came to an end.

Main Body

The new film, titled 'The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past,' started after Colbert studied 'The Fellowship of the Ring.' He noticed several parts of the story that Peter Jackson had left out of the previous movies. Colbert is writing the script with his son, Peter McGee, and Philippa Boyens. They spent a year developing the project, which included traveling to New Zealand. The story focuses on the 'Fogs on the Barrow-downs' chapter and introduces the character Tom Bombadil. This movie is planned to be released after Andy Serkis's 2027 film, 'The Hunt for Gollum.' At the same time, CBS cancelled 'The Late Show' in July 2025. The network claimed this was due to financial reasons; however, the cancellation happened after Colbert publicly criticized a $16 million settlement between Paramount and Donald Trump. Colbert described the payment as a 'big fat bribe' during merger talks with Skydance Media. Staff reports suggest that the cancellation was part of a larger pattern of pressure regarding this settlement. Peter Jackson emphasized that working on the Tolkien project gave Colbert a necessary focus while he moved from broadcasting to screenwriting.

Conclusion

Colbert has moved from late-night television to creating a Tolkien adaptation that is scheduled to follow a 2027 release.

Learning

🧩 The 'Connector' Secret: Moving Beyond Simple Sentences

At the A2 level, you usually write like this: The show ended. Colbert is writing a movie. (Short, choppy sentences). To reach B2, you need to build complex bridges between your ideas.

Look at this specific sentence from the text:

*"The network claimed this was due to financial reasons; however, the cancellation happened after Colbert publicly criticized a $16 million settlement..."

🛠️ The Power of 'However'

In A2, you use "but." In B2, we use However.

  • The Difference: "But" is a glue word that sticks two ideas together in one sentence. "However" is a transition word that signals a shift in direction, often starting a new thought or following a semicolon.
  • Why it matters: It makes your English sound more professional, academic, and controlled.

🚀 Upgrading Your Logic

Notice how the text links causes and effects using "due to" and "regarding":

  1. "Due to" →\rightarrow Use this instead of "because of" when explaining a formal reason (e.g., Due to financial reasons).
  2. "Regarding" →\rightarrow Use this instead of "about" to sound more precise (e.g., Pressure regarding this settlement).

Quick Comparison Table for your Transition:

A2 (Basic)B2 (Bridge)Context
ButHoweverContrasting two facts
Because ofDue toExplaining a cause
AboutRegardingSpecifying a topic

Vocabulary Learning

screenplay (n.)
A written text that includes dialogue and directions for a film.
Example:He spent months writing the screenplay for the new movie.
fellowship (n.)
A group of people who share a common purpose or activity.
Example:The Fellowship of the Ring was a central part of the story.
script (n.)
The written text of a play, film, or broadcast.
Example:The script was revised to include new scenes.
developing (v.)
Working on something to improve or create it.
Example:They were developing the project over the course of a year.
project (n.)
An organized undertaking with a particular aim.
Example:The project involved collaboration between several writers.
traveling (v.)
Moving from one place to another.
Example:They were traveling to New Zealand for filming.
chapter (n.)
A section of a book or story.
Example:The chapter about the Fogs on the Barrow-downs was highlighted.
character (n.)
A person or figure in a story.
Example:Tom Bombadil is a memorable character.
planned (adj.)
Decided or arranged in advance.
Example:The film was planned to be released in 2027.
cancelled (v.)
Stopped or ended before completion.
Example:CBS cancelled The Late Show in July.
financial (adj.)
Relating to money or economics.
Example:The network cited financial reasons for the cancellation.
settlement (n.)
An agreement to resolve a dispute.
Example:The $16 million settlement was controversial.
bribe (n.)
Money or a gift given to influence someone.
Example:He called the payment a big fat bribe.
merger (n.)
The combination of two companies into one.
Example:The merger talks were intense.
reports (n.)
Documents or statements that give information.
Example:Staff reports indicated increased pressure.
pattern (n.)
A repeated or regular way of doing something.
Example:The cancellation followed a larger pattern of cuts.
pressure (n.)
Stress or force applied to something.
Example:There was pressure to settle the dispute.
emphasized (v.)
Stressed or highlighted.
Example:He emphasized the importance of focus.
necessary (adj.)
Required or essential.
Example:A necessary focus helped him write.
focus (n.)
The center of attention or interest.
Example:The focus of the film is on the Barrow-downs.
broadcasting (n.)
The act of transmitting TV or radio.
Example:He moved from broadcasting to screenwriting.
screenwriting (n.)
The craft of writing scripts for film.
Example:Screenwriting requires a different skill set.
adaptation (n.)
A version of a story made for a different medium.
Example:The Tolkien adaptation will be released next year.
scheduled (adj.)
Set to happen at a particular time.
Example:The release is scheduled for 2027.
release (n.)
The act of making something available to the public.
Example:The film’s release was delayed.