Warner Bros. announces the spin-off film "Shadows of the Past" from the Lord of the Rings universe. It has been worked on in secret for 2 years.

Warner Bros. has announced a new spin-off film titled "Shadows of the Past," set in the universe of The Lord of the Rings. The script will be written by comedian Stephen Colbert, who is collaborating with his son, Peter McGee. The film will be based on the unpublished chapters from "The Ring's Fellowship" and will be produced by Peter Jackson, the creator of the original trilogy. The project is being developed simultaneously with "The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum," directed by Andy Serkis, who will reprise his role as Gollum. Other actors from the original franchise, such as Elijah Wood and Ian McKellen, will join the project. "Shadows of the Past" will explore omitted stories from Peter Jackson's 2001 adaptation. Colbert, a big fan of J.R.R. Tolkien, has previously collaborated with Jackson, having a small role in "The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug." The film's release is expected after "The Hunt for Gollum," scheduled for 2027.