How Bill Hader Inspired Stephen Colbert to Write 'Lord of the Rings' Movie After 'Late Show' Exit

Stephen Colbert took Hollywood by surprise last month when news broke of his first big post-"Late Show" move: writing a new "Lord of the Rings" movie for Peter Jackson. And while it's no secret that Colbert is a super fan of the franchise, he might never have pursued the passion project were it not for an unlikely source of inspiration: Bill Hader. Sitting with "Smartless" for the podcast's 300th episode (which dropped Monday but recorded back on March 18), Colbert was pressed by hosts Jason Bateman, Will Arnett and Sean Hayes on his professional plans for life after CBS' . . .