Daniel Mercer
Elijah Wood, who portrayed Frodo Baggins, is among those eagerly anticipating Stephen Colbert’s latest project in the Lord of the Rings universe. When asked about the possibility of reprising his role as Frodo in the forthcoming film tentatively titled Shadow of the Past, Wood expressed his enthusiasm and left the door open for his return, sharing his admiration for the film’s potential.
“The concept of exploring the events in those six chapters is incredibly exciting, especially for fans,” Wood shared with The Direct. “What Stephen and his son are creating is deep and intriguing, and it certainly includes all the beloved characters. A script needs to be developed, we must review it, and it has to receive approval, but in theory, I’m very much on board. I am thrilled that it’s Stephen and his son at the helm; it’s in exceptional hands that appreciate Tolkien’s work.”
This year, it was announced that Stephen Colbert, a passionate fan of Lord of the Rings, is collaborating on a new movie for Warner Bros., drawing inspiration from several chapters in The Fellowship of the Ring that were not included in Peter Jackson’s adaptation. The film will see Sam, Merry, and Pippin revisiting the early stages of their journey, as Sam’s daughter embarks on her own adventure. Wood explained the reasons these narratives were omitted from the original films.
“The stories Stephen wants to portray, particularly the six chapters that were not filmed in Fellowship of the Ring, were largely excluded because including them would have slowed the journey’s pace,” Wood elaborated. “When Frodo leaves Bag End and heads to Bree, if the narrative followed the winding path of the books, it would have significantly delayed their arrival at Bree and disrupted the film’s momentum.”
Elijah Wood is set to return in The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis, which is scheduled for release in 2027. Whether he appears in Shadow of the Past or not, fans can look forward to seeing Frodo again soon.
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Brandon Fletcher
