Stephen Colbert's Hobbit cameo confirmed

Stephen Colbert is set to make a cameo appearance in one of Peter Jackson's upcoming Hobbit films. Photo / AP

Late night comedian and talk show host Stephen Colbert will make an appearance in one of Peter Jackson's upcoming Hobbit films, it has been confirmed.

Hollywood news website The Hollywood Reporter quoted an unnamed source as saying Colbert would make a cameo in the second Hobbit film, Desolation of Smaug, due for release on December 13, 2013.

Colbert is a massive fan of Lord of the Rings, and he told the latest issue of Playboy magazine that he spent time in New Zealand in 2011 to film his scene.

"Peter Jackson invited me to the set last year," he told the men's magazine.

"I flew out and watched them shoot some scenes and went to some locations. I saw a 25-minute cut, and it was amazing.

"Jackson knows I'm a big fan of the films."

When asked if he was going to be an extra in the films, Colbert reportedly smiled and told Playboy: "Could be."

Another star who made a cameo in one of Jackson's Rings films is Flight of the Conchords performer Bret McKenzie as the elf Figwit.

His fleeting appearance sparked fan sites dedicated to the character and led to a bigger role for McKenzie in the Hobbit films - as a different character.

The first Hobbit film, An Unexpected Journey, is due out on December 14, with a world premiere in Wellington on November 28.

- nzherald.co.nz