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DiveTwin
Nargothrond
Jul 13 2008, 11:22pm
Post #1 of 71
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Christopher Lee: Maybe No Return To Middle Earth?
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This article includes a link to a video interview of Christopher Lee (I've not taken a chance to watch it yet). But the article indicates that Lee may have issues with being a part of either "The Hobbit" or the untitled second movie. At least as Saruman, anyway.
"Christopher Lee attended the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival this week, and our friends from RushBlogg, Karsten and Eirik, were on hand to talk to him. Of all the attendees, Meinich was the only one who asked Lee about his involvement in The Hobbit. Lee's answer came as quite a surprise -- first, he's adamant that he won't be appearing in The Hobbit, because as we all know, Saruman isn't in the book. This comes as no surprise -- Lee is a Tolkien purist (thank goodness!) and he won't allow himself to be shoehorned in, even if Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro were interested in doing so.
But what about the much discussed second film, which would likely deal with the Council of Wizards? That's a location problem. Lee isn't interested in filming in New Zealand again because it is simply too far away, for too long of a time. You can hear the tiredness in his voice -- and perhaps a bit of regret too.
That doesn't mean Lee isn't interested in being in The Hobbit at all, however! He'll appear in the film as long as he can stay in London, and there's a character he's quite keen to play. Or rather, voice. Someone very large, with a penchant for gold...
Let's hope there's a way to get him into the second movie, certainly if it involves scenes with the White Council. I don't know if they could talk Lee into coming to New Zealand or could film in London - let's hope there's a way to do it as long as both sides are interested and Lee's available. I know Lee expressed interest previously in putting on the white robes again.
You can read the article here:
http://www.cinematical.com/...urn-to-middle-earth/
Here's the link to the video (is included in the story in the above link as well):
http://www.rushprint.no/index_blogg.asp?p=1182
"Do not come between the Nazgul and his prey"
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ArathornJax
Nargothrond
Jul 13 2008, 11:44pm
Post #2 of 71
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Christopher Lee does offer to do the voice of Smaug though in the video for The Hobbit since the voice work could be done in Britain. I wonder in F2 if they could film him in Britain and then add it to the other? Or will they look to get someone else who is similar in appearance? I guess once the script is done by 1st quarter 2009 we'll know.
" . . . (we are ) too engrossed in thinking of everything as a preparation or training or making one fit -- for what? At any minute it is what we are and are doing, not what we plan to be and do that counts."
J.R.R. Tolkien in his 6 October 1940 letter to his son Michael Tolkien.
Come over to the LOTR Movie Thread and discuss the 1981 BBC Adaptation of the LOTR.
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Miret
Ossiriand
Jul 14 2008, 12:02am
Post #3 of 71
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Christopher Lee does offer to do the voice of Smaug though in the video for The Hobbit since the voice work could be done in Britain. I wonder in F2 if they could film him in Britain and then add it to the other? Or will they look to get someone else who is similar in appearance? I guess once the script is done by 1st quarter 2009 we'll know. Or if they had the Council with Saruman off camera, shadowed 'hints' of where he might be but that lovely, malevolent voice. Foreshadowing.
Meddle not in the affair of cats, for they are easily irritated and will pee on your keyboard 
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Compa_Mighty
Dor-Lomin
Jul 14 2008, 1:16am
Post #4 of 71
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Anyway... it's really sad to hear he won't go to New Zealand. It seems like age has finally caught up with him.
Then again, he *could* be a great Smaug. Or maybe if he only has some scenes as Saruman, they could tape in London... it would be a pity not to see him in Film 2.
Here's to Del Toro becoming the Irvin Kershner of Middle Earth!
Essay winner of the Show us your Hobbit Pride Giveway!
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Patty
Elvenhome
Jul 14 2008, 2:36am
Post #5 of 71
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A purist, who allows himself to die on the spikey wheel?
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I'll just believe everything when I see it. Or not.
But I would love to see Saruman in the bridge movie. The White Council needs to be filmed, IMHO.
Hanging out with the Lonely Isle elves.
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DiveTwin
Nargothrond
Jul 14 2008, 2:37am
Post #6 of 71
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Sorry Compa Mighty ... I seem to be bored today and spending more time hunting news down ..... LOL
Anyway, I'm not counting out that they may convince Lee to come to New Zealand. Maybe a plane with a couch and bed on it to make it an easy flight or something. Whatever they have to do. Or as you said, film some of the council scenes in London with maybe some doubles in outdoor scenes that don't require close ups, etc. Or I suppose they could get someone else - but man, that voice he brought to Saruman is as indelible as Ian Holm nailing Bilbo or Ian McKellan nailing Gandalf. Can't imagine another actor that could take the place without Christopher Lee's voice.
As for Smaug, I'd say no - don't want to hear Smaug and think of Saruman. Yes, I know that John Rhys Davies did both Gimli and Treebeard, but ...
Again, I just hope they find a way to get him in as Saruman.
"Do not come between the Nazgul and his prey"
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Sunflower
Doriath
Jul 14 2008, 2:42am
Post #7 of 71
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If he feels that a trip to NZ would be too taxing for him, then what can we do. And I agree, Saruman does not appear in The Hobbit.
But he loved playing Saruman. I haven't listened to the interview, but if it sounds like he regrets the fact that not being able to travel to NZ would likely cost him the role, I'm sure something could be worked out. The scrip for Film 2 is nebulous, but I'm sure he of all people understands the importance of the White Council. There is simply NO WAY to have that not appear on film--it would be like cutting The Council of Elrond out of Fellowship.
I don't see why Del Toro and Jackson can't work something out with Warner's, where a specific block of time--maybe a week--of the production can be scheduled to film The White Council, maybe at the start of filming, everyone involved in that scene can have it in their contract to stay in London for a week before flying out to NZ, so they can film The White Council in London. (Both film are being shot at the same time, so it might be possible.) It would have to be at the beginning or the end b/c I imagine scheduling something like that to occur in the middle of filming would be difficult).
I don't know--it sounds more like he wants to find a way to be in the film and doing the voice of Smaug he thinks is his only non-NZ option. I suppose thowing out this bit of info this early is good, the sooner Del Toro and Jackson know it the better.
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Patty
Elvenhome
Jul 14 2008, 2:44am
Post #8 of 71
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The White Council could be filmed in London. I know NZ is Middle-earth and all that, but really I think most movie fans would prefer to have Lee cast as Saruman. Those guys are clever enough to figure out how to make that happen, if Lee's health permits.
Hanging out with the Lonely Isle elves.
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ArathornJax
Nargothrond
Jul 14 2008, 2:53am
Post #9 of 71
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I found it interesting in the video interview that Christopher Lee is still upset that his scenes were cut from the ROTK movie, though he does mention that he is on the Extended Edition of the DVD. I wonder if that plays into this as well as his health, and his desire not to journey?
" . . . (we are ) too engrossed in thinking of everything as a preparation or training or making one fit -- for what? At any minute it is what we are and are doing, not what we plan to be and do that counts."
J.R.R. Tolkien in his 6 October 1940 letter to his son Michael Tolkien.
Come over to the LOTR Movie Thread and discuss the 1981 BBC Adaptation of the LOTR.
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Arwen's daughter
Gondolin
Jul 14 2008, 4:50am
Post #10 of 71
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I'm surprised he would be willing to play both Smaug and Saruman
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considering his purist stance on Saruman in The Hobbit. Saruman's voice is incredibly important to the character and Mr. Lee's voice is incredibly memorable. I agree that I don't want to hear Smaug voiced by Saruman. It's distracting and detracts from the movie (IMHO).
Hopefully the other members of the White Council wouldn't mind popping into London for Mr. Lee's scenes. After all, they managed to fit Boromir in despite the fact that Sean Bean was missing during some of his scenes. If they keep the role small but important, I think it could work.
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Ainu Laire
Dor-Lomin
Jul 14 2008, 6:01am
Post #11 of 71
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I hope they would be able to film some scenes in London
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I certainly cannot see the films without the White Council, and I cannot see the White Council without Saruman.
I have to agree about not having him for Smaug; his voice is just too recognizable. I want someone new, fresh, and not someone else. James Earl Jones and Jeremy Irons are also no's for Smaug, though they both have great voices.
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NARF since age 8, when I refused to read the Hobbit because the cover looked boring and icky.
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Compa_Mighty
Dor-Lomin
Jul 14 2008, 6:43am
Post #12 of 71
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Someone said no previous lion, dragon or Jedi should voice Smaug...
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And I agree... it would by distracting. However, I do think he *could* pull it off, even if he isn't my first choice.
As Sunflower said, I believe it's his way of asking to be involved, while being firm on his stance of not travelling to NZ.
I agree with all of you also in that a small chunk of the production should be taken to London. It would be much appreciated by fans, an homage to Mr. Lee and a good way for the Jacksons to patch any previous disagreements with him.
Here's to hoping... and here's to Guillermo reading it. I know he will understand, and if Saruman turns out to be in that story they *think* they have  , I'm sure they will find a way to include Mr. Lee.
Here's to Del Toro becoming the Irvin Kershner of Middle Earth!
Essay winner of the Show us your Hobbit Pride Giveway!
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Elizabeth
Gondolin
Jul 14 2008, 7:05am
Post #13 of 71
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I'm quite sure you won't think of Saruman. That's the wonderful thing about voice actors, they can assume entirely different personalities. In the good old days of animation, the good voice actors would play several parts in a movie, and you'd never guess they were the same.
For that matter, Serkis voiced several characters in the LotR movies, and you didn't think of Gollum when you heard them, did you?
Sunset, July 3, 2008
Elizabeth is the TORnsib formerly known as 'erather'
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Elizabeth
Gondolin
Jul 14 2008, 7:11am
Post #14 of 71
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He wasn't born yet, during any of the events of The Hobbit or proposed F2 (he was 41 when he died). As much as I love Sean Bean, I fear there's no role for him here.
Sunset, July 3, 2008
Elizabeth is the TORnsib formerly known as 'erather'
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Arwen's daughter
Gondolin
Jul 14 2008, 7:15am
Post #15 of 71
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For my own part, I would say that about 70-80% of the time I can recognize a voice when it's being reused in animated shows. (I've never tested it, though, so that could be completely false.) And the chances of recognition go up the more distinctive the voice it. Yes, a good voice actor can change his voice to suit the part. But that only seems to go so far. And it always distracts me because I want to pause the movie and figure out who's voice I'm hearing. If Mr. Lee and GdT decide that he would be perfect for the voice, I'll trust them until I hear otherwise. But he's not my first choice because of his role as Saruman.
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xy
Nargothrond
Jul 14 2008, 7:33am
Post #17 of 71
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I know he was upset with the edit of Saruman in ROTK but
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...if were that angry he'd say "no way and I involved now". I have seen previous interviews where he said he wouldn't go to NZ anymore as it's too far.
I wonder if he could do his Saruman scenes in London and then they could edit them via computer magic in the movie ?
I'd also like him as narrator in Hobbit. Smaug ? Interesting idea...
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Mithrandír
Menegroth
Jul 14 2008, 8:34am
Post #18 of 71
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understanadble, but not locked
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i can see why he dont want to go back, if this in fact is true...media has its own way with the truth sometimes. Christopher could have meant this and that. But if its true i can understand it, the risk of being left out of the cinematic version etc..i think that hurt him a bit, so at his age i can understand why he is skeptic. On the other hand, PJ seems to be a very persuasive individual, so who knows...
If a social phenomenon is interpreted as real by the agent, it becomes real in its consequence. Thomas.
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oldduffer
Lindon
Jul 14 2008, 10:14am
Post #19 of 71
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Lee "owned" the Saruman role .........................
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I sure hope there is some kind of workaround that can be employed if indeed he can't be convinced to travel to New Zealand for the shooting schedule.
Mr. Lee nailed Saruman, and like Ian with Gandalf, owns the role. That's in these old eyes of course, but I think many would agree.
Let's make it happen GDT, PJ, and CL! 
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Goldberry of the river
Menegroth
Jul 14 2008, 11:14am
Post #20 of 71
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I like the idea that they could film the white council in London before the rest of the production takes place in NZ. I think it's very necessary that Mr. Lee be in F2.
I'm not sure if he could have enough energy for anger in his voice for Smaug at his age, but then there's always computers to help with tone and pitch.
Brian Blessed for Thorin!
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xxxyyy
Nargothrond
Jul 14 2008, 12:58pm
Post #21 of 71
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First Ian Holm, and now Christopher Lee...
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I have a bad feeling about this... a real bad feeling...
I already have very big troubles accepting another actor in the role of Bilbo... and now Saruman is gone too?
I REALLY hope they can find a solution to this situation, giving Lee WHATEVER he needs or wants to be in the movie(s).
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Timdalf
Ossiriand
Jul 14 2008, 2:10pm
Post #22 of 71
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Re: Understandable, but not locked...
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Understandable indeed that he might not want to make a 40 hour trip (26 on the plane alone!!), buuuut.... this is Wellywood! I doubt if there will be any budget restrictions on casting, and he could very well make the trip in easy stages... and take a week to do it! They can make it worth his while! So all he is saying really, is that he will not make the trip in one shot there or back again!! He would of course be an exceptional Smaug... But as relatively lesser knowns were used for most of the principle roles in LotR, I would prefer new faces and voices for The Hobbit and its sequel.... It just makes it more believable and more interesting. But he has to do Saruman. That's sure! Timdalf
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Hengist
Forum Admin
/ Moderator
Jul 14 2008, 2:35pm
Post #23 of 71
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takes place indoors does it matter where its filmed
Disclaimer: Anything said in an admin capacity is subject to change dependent on how loud Altaira yells at me........
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Gondorian_Ranger
Ossiriand
Jul 14 2008, 3:44pm
Post #24 of 71
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Surely council scenes can simply take place in a London studio? I'd hate to have someone else playing Saruman but I'd be glad to have Christopher voicing Smaug
"The city of Osgiliath has been reclaimed, FOR GONDOR!"
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leo
Nargothrond
Jul 14 2008, 4:03pm
Post #25 of 71
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