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diedye
Hithlum
Jun 4 2008, 3:33pm
Post #1 of 32
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Christopher Lee speaks on "The Hobbit"...
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From Empire Online:
Exclusive: Christopher Lee On The Hobbit
He may play Saruman again
Speaking to Christopher Lee earlier this week, as you do, we discovered that the venerable 86-year-old has hopes of dusting off his wizard’s robes to play Saruman again in Guillermo Del Toro’s adaptation of The Hobbit.
Now you’re probably asking how the evil white wizard could possibly show his face again when he’s not even featured in The Lord Of The Rings prequel. Well consider the fact that the mooted two-film adaptation will probably be forced to add plenty of new material and Lee’s encyclopaedic knowledge of his character could fill in the gaps.
“I’ve read the books time and again,” said the 86-year-old. “Originally Saruman The White and the rest of the wizards, or the Istari as they call them, were immortal. There were five of them, two of them never appear, I know their names but they never appear, and the only three that are mentioned are Saruman The White, Gandalf The Grey and Radagast The Brown who you never see – so basically it’s two wizards.
[..]
“I’d be interested in seeing how that transition from good to evil occurred and, yes, of course I would return to the role if I was asked.”
[..]
Full story here.
Yes! 
I am dying to see him back as Saruman... I just hope he's in good enough health to do it by then. 
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Empedocles
Ossiriand
Jun 4 2008, 3:54pm
Post #2 of 32
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Such great news. I'm also concerned about his advanced age and I truly hope he can reprise his role as Saruman because he was absolutely incredible in it. Besides, it's going to be so much fun to see Saruman in a different way, not as this evil wizard but as someone good and powerful enough to basically overrule Gandalf, Elrond and Galadriel in the Council. I have no doubt that he will be asked to come back.
Now we only need Viggo's confirmation. I'm still worried about Viiggo.
Please, give us back Glorfindel!!!
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Faramond
Lindon
Jun 4 2008, 4:20pm
Post #3 of 32
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Great news! I REALLY like and respect Mr Lee (and his amazing voice and presence. I hope that they are able to film the Saruman scenes with Lee very shortly after the script is done. I'm thankful (and rather awe struck) that Lee is so hale and healthy at such a venerable age (wouldn't it be cool to look like Lee even at nearly 90?), but I know from experience that health can turn on a dime at that advanced age.
Now if only we could de-age Ian Holm by about 20 or 30 years...
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Patty
Elvenhome
Jun 4 2008, 5:17pm
Post #4 of 32
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I'm so glad to know that he wasn't soured by his experience of being cut from the TE of RotK. Maybe he realizes that most of us view the EE as the lasting version. But this did rob him of a SAG statue...
His age is the true issue here, so if we are to have the true pleasure of seeing "Saruman" cast in the role of "Saruman" I hope the filming starts soon.
Hanging out with the Lonely Isle elves.
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merklynn
Menegroth
Jun 4 2008, 5:41pm
Post #5 of 32
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Now if only we could de-age Ian Holm by about 20 or 30 years...
I'm working on a secret formula right now that I think just might prove to be THE elixir of life! I've been working on it for the past two weeks. Fingers crossed. I'll keep everyone posted when I feel ready to test it.
I love Lee. Since Cushing passed in '86 I believe, Lee has been my only link to one of my greatest heros. Lee and Cushing were close friends and spoke often. I have a small collection of their earlier Hammer Horror teamups, and the odd Cushing solo effort like "the Abominable Snowmen", and "1984", and "Brides of Dracula" (which does not feature Dracula, or Lee BTW). They were something really special together as a team. They lit up the screen with incredible presence and won so much excitement from the audience. It is hard to pick my favorite team up between the two, but their best are undoubtedly Horror of Dracula, The Mummy, Curse of Frankenstein, and Hound of the Baskervilles. Nice seeing Lee as a hero/good guy now and then too.
And in that sense, it would be great to see him play a more noble (seemingly noble) Saruman in this fabled F2. I really hope Lee's health holds up. I always imagined what it would be like at the viewing for Lee, and him lying in his coffin, then opening his eyes suddenly to scare the visitors. No one could do it better than Lee.
(This post was edited by merklynn on Jun 4 2008, 5:42pm)
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diedye
Hithlum
Jun 4 2008, 5:45pm
Post #6 of 32
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I wonder... who could replace him if need be?...
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Who has the same "evilness" about him and is an elder actor?
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Patty
Elvenhome
Jun 4 2008, 5:50pm
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the person who I would have (reluctantly) replaced him with is already in the movies--Hugo Weaving.
I don't know who looks like Chris Lee at a younger stage, and certainly no one else has his voice.
Hanging out with the Lonely Isle elves.
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diedye
Hithlum
Jun 4 2008, 5:55pm
Post #8 of 32
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Well, he need not be younger...
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After all, the Istari came to Middle-earth already in the guise of old men, so an elder actor would be needed, not a young one.
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Patty
Elvenhome
Jun 4 2008, 6:01pm
Post #9 of 32
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I don't even know who I'd get to replace him at his own age...
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I'm just gonna have to hope it doesn't come to that. The role shouldn't need to be written to be that athletic, unlike the role of Bilbo, and certainly the legions of fans would want Lee back, almost at all costs.
Hanging out with the Lonely Isle elves.
(This post was edited by Patty on Jun 4 2008, 6:01pm)
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leo
Nargothrond
Jun 4 2008, 6:19pm
Post #10 of 32
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... that guy from Kill Bill, wotshisname... David Carradine or something? I can't really be bothered to look it up, but he's the first one that comes to mind. Though obviously he's not British enough and lacks The Voice, but as far as looks go he would come a nice way I think...
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Peredhil lover
Doriath
Jun 4 2008, 6:20pm
Post #11 of 32
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Glad he wants to play Saruman again - he was great in this role! I only hope his health will still be good enough when they start filming. It is so difficult to imagine another actor as Saruman!
I do not suffer from LotR obsession - I enjoy every minute of it.
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leo
Nargothrond
Jun 4 2008, 6:22pm
Post #12 of 32
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It'll be hard to say what exactly the second film will be about, but it should have Christopher Lee/Saruman in it. Like he said himself, Saruman's arch (turning evil) is not really explained in LOTR, and would make for a nice story!
(And when he is there, he could voice Smaug too ;-) )
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Elven
Doriath
Jun 4 2008, 6:54pm
Post #13 of 32
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This sounds very confident ...
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it seems most of the news seems to arrive in this format - the actor saying they would be happy to return in an article in a reputable mag - it was no different with Sir Ian McKellen - so we might just hear some good news about Christopher Lee returning! I hope so *crossed fingers* ..
Thanks Diedye!
Cheers
Elven x
Were off to Hobbiton finally!
Tolkien was a Capricorn!!
Russell Crowe for Beorn!!
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TSN
Registered User
Jun 4 2008, 7:17pm
Post #14 of 32
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the person who I would have (reluctantly) replaced him with is already in the movies--Hugo Weaving.
I don't know who looks like Chris Lee at a younger stage, and certainly no one else has his voice. I think that if Lee wont be able to reprise his role, then Saruman shouldnt be in Film2 at all.. Recasting this big role just for something that is basically a cameo shouldnt be needed when film can just be made in a different way.
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jun 4 2008, 7:20pm
Post #15 of 32
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sure to get the word out that he's available and hopeful after dissing Peter and the films for cutting his appearance in RotK. I still shake my head at that. I'd be very happy to see him involved with this project. Just as Ian Holm and the other alumns of LotR should be involved if there's a place for them, so should he :D This would be wonderful!
 
Trust him... The Hobbit is coming!
"Barney Snow was here." ~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
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merklynn
Menegroth
Jun 4 2008, 8:35pm
Post #16 of 32
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How harsh were Lee's words towards PJ? //
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Darkstone
Elvenhome
Jun 4 2008, 9:03pm
Post #18 of 32
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Lee said the same thing about Robin Hardy...
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...when Hardy cut 30 minutes (including a very large chunk of Lee's performance) from "The Wicker Man" (1973). Now Lee says that's his favorite film and greatest role.
Time always gives perspective.
******************************************
The audacious proposal stirred his heart. And the stirring became a song, and it mingled with the songs of Gil-galad and Celebrian, and with those of Feanor and Fingon. The song-weaving created a larger song, and then another, until suddenly it was as if a long forgotten memory woke and for one breathtaking moment the Music of the Ainur revealed itself in all glory. He opened his lips to sing and share this song. Then he realized that the others would not understand. Not even Mithrandir given his current state of mind. So he smiled and simply said "A diversion.”
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Woodyend
Mithlond
Jun 4 2008, 9:09pm
Post #19 of 32
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I do not see in the article where Lee is quoted saying "I will never forgive Jackson". Yes I see it in the header "I will never forgive Jackson, says LOTR actor" but not in the body of the article itself. He did say....
"However, you can have a difference of opinion in any walk of life but you can't have ongoing arguments. I like Peter very much. He's a brilliant director. I just don't know why he did what he did."
and
"So I went and there was Peter. He was still big then. He came up to me and said he wanted to give me a big hug. "We sat next to each other and he told me where my scenes would be inserted into the extended DVD. "I told him, sarcastically, that that was good news. "I haven't seen him since."
May your beer be laid under an enchantment of surpassing excellence for seven years!
~~~~~~~~Gandalf~~~~~~~
Listen, strange women lying in ponds distributing swords is no basis for a system of government!
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Jazmine
Dor-Lomin
Jun 4 2008, 9:23pm
Post #20 of 32
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I'd love to see Christopher back as Saruman in Film 2. I really enjoyed listening to his narration of Children of Hurin. The guy's got a great voice.
*Jazminatar the Brown*
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Elenedhel
Ossiriand
Jun 5 2008, 12:34am
Post #21 of 32
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Gosh the actors just keep lining up, don't they! :D
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"O Elbereth! Gilthoniel!
We still remember, we who dwell
In this far land beneath the trees,
Thy starlight on the Western Seas."
"It was Sam's first view of a battle of Men against Men,and he did not like it much. He was glad that he could not see the dead face. He wondered what the man's name was and where he was from; and if he was really evil of heart, or what lies or threats had led him on the long march from his home; and if he would not really rather have stayed there in peace..."
"Many folk like to know beforehand what is to be set on the table; but those who have laboured to prepare the feast like to keep their secret; for wonder makes the words of praise louder."
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grammaboodawg
Elvenhome
Jun 5 2008, 1:30am
Post #22 of 32
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that Brad Dourif also had the same scenes cut, and I never heard one negative word from him. Perspective, fersher :)
Trust him... The Hobbit is coming!
"Barney Snow was here." ~Hug like a hobbit!~ "In my heaven..."
TORn's Observations Lists
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Patty
Elvenhome
Jun 5 2008, 2:25am
Post #23 of 32
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Yeah, wish there were a logical way to put him in film 2....
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he is the oft overlooked cast member, which is way too bad, cause he truly brought Grima Wormtongue to life.
What about him for the voice of Smaug? I really have a problem with using the voice of a person already in the movie--well, perhaps I should just say that Treebeard sounded too much like the Gimli he was. But if Dourif could sound like someone else other than Wormtongue I'd like that "member of the family" to return, too.
Hanging out with the Lonely Isle elves.
(This post was edited by Patty on Jun 5 2008, 2:25am)
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jaith
Lindon
Jun 5 2008, 3:06am
Post #24 of 32
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I would love too see Chris Lee in the new movies. It would be cool to see his character when he was still good or see him turning bad or something like that. The guy was so good in the role though it would be wrong to not at least give him one scene somewhere in one of the 2 new films. Actually I say all the characters that were alive in both times that an actor played in the first movies should come back for something in these films. I don;t think anyone did a bad job in the Jackson films
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merklynn
Menegroth
Jun 5 2008, 3:26am
Post #25 of 32
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Don't forget that Saruman's turning bad was a surprise to Gandalf in the films. He told Frodo that the leader of his order was wise and powerful and would know what to do. It came as a surprise to Gandalf and showing Saruman actually turning evil in F2 would degrade the confrontation between the two in Orthanc. So I suggest something like Christopher Lee himself mentioned, that Saruman appear noble and good in F2 but be corrupted by what he sees through the palantir. How about keeping the sinister side of what he is really thinking carefully hidden with only one or two moments to allude to his growing doubts and greed with a fateful shot of him using the palantir towards the end... or subtley buried inside the movie so it has little immediate meaning to those unfamaliar with LOTR yet. Perhaps even have Saruman in some kind of frown, or pain, or even some slow but evil smile contorting across his face.
I would love to see Saruman as the clear leader of the wise in the White Council, with Galadriel, Elrond, and Gandalf all defering to his executive power. But not to show this in a manner that indicates he is against a strike on Dol Guldur because of his own personal reasons. He should come across as humane and interested in the common good and hopefully get to show of some of his power against the Necromancer when the time comes.
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