Stephen Colbert Weighs In on Post-Late Show Plans With Humorous Deflection

Stephen Colbert is having fun with all the speculation surrounding his next chapter. The 61-year-old late-night host tackled the subject head-on during Thursday's episode of The Late Show with Stephen Colbert, acknowledging that "internet rumors" have been "running wild" about his plans.

"I've heard a lot of theories," Colbert explained to his audience. "Everything from I'm moving to CNN to I'm announcing a massive wildlife rescue program to I'm running for president of the United States. Now, here's the thing. I can reveal right now that all of those are partially true."

Playing up the joke, he announced a fictional venture: "Next year, I will be president of an animal sanctuary dedicated to caring for the rare Blitzer Wolf," referencing CNN anchor Wolf Blitzer. "It's a captive breeding program. Nobody tell him."

The comedy didn't stop there. Colbert then unveiled a fake trailer for a buddy cop comedy called Uncle Cops, co-starring John C. Reilly. "It's an hour-long network procedural drama torn straight from today's headlines," he said. "It's the gripping tale of two detectives who are also uncles. How can they be both? It ain't easy, folks."

Behind the punchlines, Colbert revealed his actual next project: he'll be writing the screenplay for the upcoming Lord of the Rings film, tentatively called Shadow of the Past.

The Late Show concludes on May 21, though there's still time for notable guests before the final episode. Colbert recently announced that former President Barack Obama will appear on the show in early May for what Obama's team is calling "his first interview from the Obama Presidential Center in Chicago."