Stephen Colbert & 'The Hobbit': TV Personality To Make An Appearance In Upcoming Film

It is perhaps one of the most unexpected of casting rumors: Stephen Colbert is reportedly making an appearance in Peter Jackson's "The Hobbit." In an interview with Playboy, Colbert let it slip that he spent some time with Jackson at the movie's New Zealand set.

Colbert tells Playboy about his long-standing love affair with the books, saying, "In some ways it was about escape. I think there’s absolute truth in escaping the reality of your present predicament. And that can just be about being young. It doesn’t have to be tragedy. There’s a tragedy to being 13. Things are changing. Friends are changing. Your body is changing. You need to escape that."

The "Colbert Report" host will only admit that he visited the set, refusing to answer when pressed about his involvement in the picture. He simply says, "could be" when asked if he is in the film.

THR, however, is reporting that a source has confirmed Colbert's appearance in one of the upcoming films. While Colbert will not appear in the first movie, "Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey," it is set to release December 14.

For more Stephen Colbert news, head over to THR and Playboy.