Stephen Colbert tapped to write new 'Lord of the Rings' movie

“Lord of the Rings” super fan Stephen Colbert was tapped to write the latest installment of the wildly popular movie series, studio officials said Wednesday, seizing on the TV personality's unexpected time off this upcoming summer

“Lord of the Rings” super fan Stephen Colbert was tapped to write the latest installment of the wildly popular movie series, studio officials said Wednesday, seizing on the TV personality's unexpected time off this upcoming summer.

Warner Bros. had "Rings" director Peter Jackson make the announcement in comedic fashion, speaking to a YouTube camera and telling fans he'd lined up "a very special partner that we're working with" and you can see for yourself.

That's when he appeared to pull up a video chat and a figure hiding behind a book, Colbert.

"You know what the books mean to me and what your films mean to me," Colbert said.

CBS announced last year that "The Late Show with Stephen Colbert" was being taken off the air despite the program's longtime critical acclaim. The last show is set for May 21.