Stephen Colbert has an unhealthy obsession with Lord of the Rings, and that is on full display next week as Middle-Earth is set to take over The Report. In the lead-up to the release of December’s most-anticipated film The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, the show has enlisted guest appearances from Ian McKellen, Martin Freeman, Peter Jackson, and Andy Serikis in that order. While the late night program is not exactly known for its themed programming or guests, booking this foursome could not have been too difficult as the host spent some time on the set of The Hobbit, sparking rumors that he actually will make an appearance in one of the three Peter Jackson-directed films.
Watch: Jimmy Kimmel: Stephen Colbert Nerds Out on ‘Lord of the Rings,’ Talks Hobbit Set Visit
NEW YORK, November 30, 2012 — In major anticipation of the film “The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey,” J.R.R. Tolkien enthusiast/super fan Stephen Colbert will host guest appearances from Sir Ian McKellen (Gandalf; 12/3), Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins; 12/4), director Peter Jackson (12/5) and Andy Serkis (Gollum; 12/6) on “The Colbert Report” at 11:30 p.m. ET/PT. “The Hobbit” hits theaters nationwide on Friday, December 14.
Colbert can’t contain his excitement about the week, saying, “Elen sila lumenn’ omentielvo… I mean that sincerely.”
Colbert has exhibited his exuberant fascination for all things Tolkien throughout the show’s history – whether it’s sparring with James Franco on “The Lord of the Rings” knowledge, digressing with Elijah Wood during his “Happy Feet Two” promotion appearance by discussing his “Lord of the Rings” roles and comparing swords, or analyzing John McCain’s “Lord of the Rings” debt crisis analogy in Congress.