Peter Jackson: Stephen Colbert Is The Biggest Tolkien Geek I’ve Ever Met

Stephen Colbert may be the world’s biggest Tolkien geek.

Peter Jackson, who is currently filming The Hobbit in New Zealand, said that the comedian is the “biggest Tolkien geek” he’s ever met. And Jackson, who directed all three movies in the Lord Of The Rings trilogy, has undoubtedly met some pretty big Tolkien geeks.

Jackson said:

“I have never met a bigger Tolkien geek in my life … Philippa Boyens is our resident Tolkien expert, and when Stephen came down to visit the set, we put him head to head with Philippa on a Tolkien quiz–and Stephen triumphed. I have to say, his encyclopedic knowledge of Tolkien is spectacular, and points to a deprived childhood in some respects.”

Colbert’s trip to New Zealand fueled rumors that the comedian would be appearing in one of The Hobbit movies. Jackson addressed the rumor but didn’t say if it was true.

Jackson said:

“I read that, too — it was very, very interesting … It’s yet to be confirmed or denied.”

An anonymous source said last week that Colbert would be appearing in The Hobbit. The source said that it would not be in the first movie, The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey, which hits theaters on December 14, but could be in The Hobbit: Desolation of Smaug or The Hobbit: There and Back Again.

Are you surprised that Stephen Colbert has encyclopedic knowledge of J.R.R Tolkien? Do you think he’ll appear in The Hobbit?