Stephen Colbert Announces 'Hobbit Week,' Featuring Film's Stars

Stephen Colbert is bringing Middle Earth to Midtown Manhattan.

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A devoted fan of J.R.R. Tolkien's fantasy series, the Colbert Report host will celebrate the release of the first chapter of the big-screen adaptation of The Hobbit with an entire week dedicated to the film on his Comedy Central series. He will welcome as guests Ian McKellen, who plays Gandalf, on Monday, Dec. 3; Martin Freeman (Bilbo Baggins) on Tuesday; director Peter Jackson on Wednesday; and Andy Serkis (Gollum) on Thursday.

Colbert has made no secret of his love for the series: He speaks Elvish, the language spoken by elves in the book, and visited the New Zealand set of the film during production. While there, he was given a small role in a future Hobbit film. Jackson is planning three Hobbit movies, marking his second Tolkien trilogy. He helmed the Lord of the Rings films, winning three Oscars for 2003's series ender The Return of the King.

He already has had one star from the franchise on his show; in 2011, he peppered Tolkien questions at Elijah Wood, who starred as Frodo Baggins in the Lord of the Rings saga and will reprise the role in a smaller capacity in the Hobbit films.