Peter Jackson has confirmed that The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past is currently in the scriptwriting stage. This update comes following rumors of the project's cancellation, which surfaced in the wake of the merger between Paramount and Warner Bros. Jackson, a pivotal figure in the original live-action Lord of the Rings film trilogy, shared this information at the Sitges Film Festival, as reported by ScreenRant.
The film, officially announced by Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema in March, is being written by Philippa Boyens, Peter McGee, and Stephen Colbert. Earlier this month, Knight Edge Media reported that the newly formed Skydance had paused the project, leading to fan concerns, particularly after the conclusion of Stephen Colbert's talk show. Warner Bros. has since clarified that the project has not been canceled.
"We have The Shadow of the Past, which is in the scriptwriting stage," Jackson stated.
While details are scarce, the film is expected to explore events occurring 14 years after Frodo Baggins' journey. The narrative will reportedly follow Sam, Merry, and Pippin as they retrace the initial steps of their adventure. Concurrently, Sam's daughter, Elanor, uncovers a long-buried secret concerning why the War of the Ring was nearly lost before it even began.
During the same festival appearance, Jackson also provided an update on The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis. Production on this film is nearing completion, with approximately two weeks of shooting remaining. Jackson also mentioned that the script for Tintin 2 has been written and is slated to be his next directorial project.
The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past does not yet have a release date. The Hunt for Gollum is scheduled to premiere on December 17, 2027.