Peter Colbert entered one of Hollywood’s most recognisable fantasy franchises in March 2026, when Warner Bros. announced that he would help write a new Lord of the Rings film. The filmmaker, who works professionally as Peter McGee, is collaborating with his father, comedian Stephen Colbert, and Oscar-winning screenwriter Philippa Boyens on The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past.
The announcement spotlighted an existing career in independent film, television production and music. He has directed short films, worked behind the camera and pursued songwriting with indie rock band Evil Twin. His career is noteworthy not merely because of a famous parent, but because the Tolkien collaboration now places his developing creative skills inside an internationally recognised film series.
Quick Bio
| Details | Information |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Peter Colbert |
| Professional Name | Peter McGee |
| Birth Year | 1998 |
| Age | Approximately 28 (2026) |
| Birthplace | Not publicly verified |
| Nationality | American |
| Profession | Screenwriter, Director, Producer, Musician |
| Father | Stephen Colbert |
| Mother | Evelyn McGee-Colbert |
| Siblings | Madeleine Colbert and John Colbert |
| Education | Northwestern University |
| Field of Study | Radio, Television and Film |
| Known For | The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past |
| Film Appearance | The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug (2013) |
| Directing Credits | At the Crossroads Down Yonder (2018), Where’s Noah? (2019) |
| Music Career | Member of indie rock band Evil Twin |
| Marital Status | Not publicly confirmed |
| Net Worth | Not publicly verified |
| Latest Major Project | The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past (in development) |
Why Peter Colbert Uses the Name Peter McGee
Peter is the second child of Stephen Colbert and producer Evelyn McGee-Colbert. He was born in 1998 and has two siblings: older sister Madeleine and younger brother John. They grew up in Montclair, New Jersey.
Although family photographs and coverage often identify him as Peter Colbert, his professional credits use McGee, his mother’s surname. Both names refer to the same filmmaker.
His mother produces entertainment projects and supports Montclair Film. His father is known for The Daily Show, The Colbert Report and The Late Show with Stephen Colbert.
From Northwestern Film Student to Working Filmmaker
Peter attended Montclair Kimberley Academy and subsequently studied radio, television and film at Northwestern University. There he developed skills in visual storytelling and production.
Early Directing Credits
In 2018, while at Northwestern, he wrote and directed the short film At the Crossroads Down Yonder. The following year, he directed and served as a co-executive producer on the comedy series Where’s Noah?. Both projects gave him early writing, directing and production experience.
He later worked in sound on the 2020 short Those Who Move Mountains and played Doug in the 2024 short comedy The Virgin. His credits cross different filmmaking disciplines.
A Family Television Production During Lockdown
His technical knowledge became useful in 2020, when pandemic restrictions forced The Late Show to move away from its usual studio arrangements. Evelyn McGee-Colbert later recalled that Peter, then a Northwestern film student, helped establish the equipment needed to produce broadcasts from the family’s temporary setup.
He helped set up cameras and computer equipment before returning his attention to university classes. It was film training applied to television under unusual conditions.
Television Sets, Film Crews and an Early Tolkien Cameo
Peter’s screen experience predates his writing partnership with his father. In 2013, he joined Stephen and John Colbert for brief appearances as disguised Laketown spies in Peter Jackson’s The Hobbit: The Desolation of Smaug. It was an early connection with Jackson’s Middle-earth films.
He also worked as a studio production assistant on Stephen Colbert Presents Tooning Out the News, an animated current-affairs satire. Industry coverage also connects him with Star Wars: The Rise of Skywalker, Outer Banks, Blue Bloods and The Righteous Gemstones, although specific responsibilities are not consistently documented.
Supporting roles offer a different education from headline creative credits. They expose workers to production schedules, coordination and the practical demands of filmmaking.
Evil Twin Shows Another Side of His Creative Work
Screenwriting is only part of Peter’s output. He is also a vocalist and songwriter with Evil Twin, a Brooklyn-based indie rock band whose debut album, Upside Down We’re Flying, arrived in 2026. The group performed California (She’s So Royal) on The Late Show in April that year.
In an interview published in March 2026, Peter explained that he had known the band’s members individually through Northwestern, although they did not form Evil Twin there. They formed it later to pursue music seriously.
His music favours guitar-driven alternative rock and live ensemble playing. He taught himself aspects of guitar and songwriting, often writing lyrics through fictional characters rather than direct autobiography. As in film, storytelling is central. He has also discussed a preference for recording musicians playing together, seeking the energy of a live performance rather than constructing every part separately.
The Lord of the Rings Project That Changed His Visibility
The major turning point came on 25 March 2026, when Warner Bros. and New Line Cinema confirmed development of The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past. Stephen Colbert, Peter McGee and Philippa Boyens were named as writers, with Peter Jackson involved as a producer alongside established franchise collaborators.
How the Idea Took Shape
Stephen’s interest began with six chapters near the beginning of J. R. R. Tolkien’s The Fellowship of the Ring, stretching from Three Is Company through Fog on the Barrow-downs. Jackson’s 2001 film omitted much of that material.
Stephen discussed the possibility with his son, and together they developed a framing device that could connect the omitted material with the existing films. Stephen then approached Jackson and Boyens joined the development process. Peter had contributed before the announcement.
What Shadow of the Past Will Explore
The announced premise takes place fourteen years after Frodo’s passing. Sam, Merry and Pippin retrace the beginning of their earlier journey, while Sam’s daughter Elanor investigates a buried secret concerning how close the War of the Ring came to failure.
The structure blends familiar characters’ memories with an investigation into events the original films did not dramatise. It allows the writers to revisit omitted passages without simply remaking The Fellowship of the Ring. For devoted Tolkien fans, those chapters include encounters that help establish the atmosphere and dangers of the hobbits’ journey before the larger conflict fully unfolds.
Working Alongside Philippa Boyens and Peter Jackson
For Peter, the partnership brings responsibilities that differ considerably from making an independent short. Boyens shared the Academy Award for adapted screenplay for The Lord of the Rings: The Return of the King and has remained involved with the franchise. Jackson directed the original film trilogy and continues to shape its screen future as a producer.
Both bring extensive knowledge of Tolkien adaptations. Peter is a credited writer, but casting and directing decisions should not be attributed to him.
The family partnership has raised questions about access within entertainment. Yet Peter’s film studies, prior production work and contribution to the initial story are documented. Audiences will ultimately judge the finished film, not simply the writers’ surnames.
Where the Film Stands in October 2026
At an October appearance connected with the Sitges Film Festival, Jackson described Shadow of the Past as being in the screenwriting stage. No official release date or director has been announced for the project.
It is separate from The Lord of the Rings: The Hunt for Gollum, directed by Andy Serkis and scheduled for December 2027. Peter is confirmed as a writer on a separate film in development, not its director or a cast member.
Peter Colbert’s Public Life and Financial Background
Peter maintains a more modest public profile than his father. His family connections, professional credits, university background and musical activities are documented, but there is no reliable public basis for stating an exact salary, personal fortune or details of a romantic relationship.
His birth year is documented as 1998, but his precise birthday is not consistently verified.
His documented activities span directing, production support, acting, songwriting and screenwriting. That range tells a clearer story than speculation about his finances or private life.
Conclusion
Peter Colbert, known professionally as Peter McGee, has progressed from student shorts and practical television work to a writing assignment connected with one of cinema’s most closely followed fantasy worlds. His music with Evil Twin adds a separate dimension to that story. With Shadow of the Past still in development, his eventual impact on the franchise remains to be seen. The forthcoming screenplay represents both a demanding artistic test and an unusual intersection of family collaboration, literary fandom and professional filmmaking.
FAQs
Who Is Peter Colbert?
Peter Colbert is an American filmmaker, screenwriter, producer and musician who works professionally under the name Peter McGee. He is the son of Stephen Colbert and Evelyn McGee-Colbert. His credits include independent film projects, television production and the developing Lord of the Rings film Shadow of the Past.
Is Peter McGee the Same Person as Peter Colbert?
Yes. Peter uses McGee, his mother’s surname, for his professional work. Family coverage often calls him Peter Colbert; film announcements identify him as Peter McGee.
How Old Is Peter Colbert?
He was born in 1998, making him approximately 28 in 2026. His exact date of birth is not established consistently in reliable public sources, so a more precise age cannot be confirmed without additional documentation.
What Is Peter Colbert Writing With Stephen Colbert?
Father and son are co-writing The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past with Philippa Boyens. The project connects omitted Fellowship of the Ring material with a later adventure involving Sam, Merry, Pippin and Elanor. The screenplay remains in development.
Does Peter Colbert Have a Band?
Yes. Peter performs and writes music with Evil Twin, an indie rock group associated with Brooklyn. The band released its debut album Upside Down We’re Flying in 2026 and performed California (She’s So Royal) on The Late Show that April.
READ THIS TOO: Gable Ness Nealon: Kevin Nealon’s Son, His USC Years and Life Beyond Hollywood
