Create a free profile to get unlimited access to exclusive videos, sweepstakes, and more!
Stephen Colbert and the 'Lord of the Rings' cast celebrate 20 years of 'Fellowship' with a rap tribute
It turns out you actually can rap in Elvish.
If you know one thing about Stephen Colbert, then you know he's a talk show host. If you know two things about Stephen Colbert, you know the man loves The Lord of the Rings like it's his job. For as long as Colbert has been hosting shows, first on Comedy Central and then on CBS, he's been professing his love for the epic film trilogy and the J.R.R. Tolkien books that inspired it, spouting trivia and reveling in his fandom with the trilogy's stars and fellow famous fans.
This month marks the 20th anniversary of the first film in the trilogy, The Fellowship of the Ring, and Colbert pointed out on The Late Show Wednesday night that it's also been 20 years since he hasn't shut up about these movies. Sadly, because the actual anniversary falls on the weekend (the actual anniversary of the film's U.S. debut is this Sunday) and because The Late Show is about to go on a holiday break, Colbert won't be on the air to celebrate the film a few days from now. So, he decided to use Wednesday night's episode to deliver an... unconventional tribute.
"Lord of the Rings is, without a doubt, the greatest trilogy in movie history," Colbert said. "And I know, I know I may have said that many times before, but I have never, not once, rapped it. Until now."
From there, Colbert and his musical director Jon Batiste launched into an ambitious music video for a song dubbed "#1 Trilly," paying tribute to The Lord of the Rings while dissing everything from Free Willy to the Pitch Perfect sequels. Right off the bat, Hobbit actors Dominic Monaghan (Merry), Billy Boyd (Pippin), and Sean Astin (Sam) were on hand to join in, but that wasn't the end of the special guests. Watch the video below to see who else showed up:
No, your eyes do not deceive you. Colbert really did get Wu-Tang Clan legend Method Man and Run the Jewels' Killer Mike to show up and rap about Lord of the Rings with him, and he also got Elrond himself, Hugo Weaving, to show up and drop a verse in Elvish without missing a beat.
Sadly, the video doesn't feature new appearances from director Peter Jackson or co-stars Cate Blanchett, Ian McKellen, or Viggo Mortensen, but this isn't the last opportunity. In one year and two days we get to celebrate the 20th anniversary of The Two Towers, so maybe the other stars can stop by for "#1 Trilly Part 2."
