{"id":121668,"date":"2026-03-25T20:17:57","date_gmt":"2026-03-26T01:17:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/?p=121668"},"modified":"2026-03-27T18:11:17","modified_gmt":"2026-03-27T23:11:17","slug":"the-lord-of-the-rings-shadow-of-the-past-a-timeline","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.theonering.net\/torwp\/2026\/03\/25\/121668-the-lord-of-the-rings-shadow-of-the-past-a-timeline\/","title":{"rendered":"“The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past” A Timeline"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

With the announcement of a second upcoming Lord of the Rings <\/em>movie in the works written by Stephen Colbert, Philippa Boyens, and Peter McGee, <\/strong>and the release of its synopsis, speculation about what the movie will be about is only just beginning.
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Stephen Colbert in his “Lord of the Rings<\/em>” fan film “Darrylgorn<\/em>“<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

The synopsis in the Warner Brothers and New Line Cinema press release about The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past<\/em> is: \u201cFourteen years after the passing of Frodo – Sam, Merry, and Pippin set out to retrace the first steps of their adventure. Meanwhile, Sam\u2019s daughter, Elanor, has discovered a long-buried secret and is determined to uncover why the War of the Ring was very nearly lost before it even began.\u201d

For reference, let\u2019s take a look at the timeline that is mentioned.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

3rd Age 3021\/Shire Reckoning 1421, September 29: “Frodo and and Bilbo depart over Sea with the Three Keepers. The end of the Third Age.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Fourteen years after Frodo\u2019s departure means the movie takes place in S.R. 1435\/Fourth Age Year 14.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Elanor the Fair is born March 13, S.R. 1421, the same year that Frodo sets sail for the Undying Lands<\/strong>. Her birth day is also the start of the Fourth Age of Gondor.

In book canon, Elanor will be fourteen years old at the time Shadow of the Past<\/em> will take place, giving the film a young female Hobbit lead.<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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Sam holding young Elanor
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The Appendices of The Lord of the Rings<\/em> tells us where the remaining Fellowship Hobbits are and what they are doing around this time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Three years before the movie is set to begin, in S.R. 1432, \u201cMeriadoc, called the Magnificent, becomes Master of Buckland.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

One year before the movie, in S.R. 1434 \u201cPeregrin becomes the Took and Thain. King Elessar makes the Thain, the Master, and the Mayor Counsellors of the North-Kingdom. Master Samwise is elected Mayor for the second time.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

A year after the movie is set to take place, in S.R. 1436 \u201cKing Elessar rides north, and dwells for a while by Lake Evendim. He comes to the Brandywine Bridge, and there greets his friends. He gives the Star of the D\u00fanedain to Master Samwise, and Eleanor is made a maid of honour to Queen Arwen.\u201d<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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The half-submerged city of Annu\u0301minas on Lake Evendim from LOTRO (Lord of the Rings Online)<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n

Seven years after the movie, in S.R. 1442 \u201cMaster Samwise and his wife and Elanor ride to Gondor and stay there for a year.”<\/strong><\/p>\n\n\n\n

As to some speculation, might the events that will take place in The Lord of the Rings: Shadow of the Past<\/em> be what brings Aragorn, and presumably, Arwen, north to visit the Hobbits? Will Elanor’s discovery in the new movie be retconned as the reason that she is named \u201cmaid of honour\u201d to Arwen? Will the secret she uncovers have any connection to why she goes to Gondor years later?\u2028\u2028

And does this mean that we will catch a glimpse of Ann\u00faminas, the once capital city of the Kingdom of Arnor founded by Elendil on Lake Evendim? Could Viggo Mortenson and Liv Tyler reprise their roles as Aragorn and Arwen since they will be fourteen years older in this film than at the end of the Return of the King?

Most importantly, what cameos will Peter Jackson and Stephen Colbert have in Shadow of the Past<\/em>?
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Stephen Colbert in The Hobbit<\/em>: The Desolation of Smaug<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n\n\n\n
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Peter Jackson in The Return of the King<\/em><\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n

This is indeed an exciting time to be a Lord of the Rings<\/em> fan.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

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