Christopher Lee

[zifnab]

In a interview with Sci-Fi magazine(April 2002), Christoper Lee says...<P>"I read the books when they came out about 50 years ago. The first book came out, and then there was a period of waiting and anticipation all over the world for the second book to come out. And then we all waited for the third book."<BR>"Being somebody who loves fantasy, I was so bowled over by the brilliance of the whole concept, the extraordinary writing, and the mind of a man who could not only invent a whole new world and new races, but a new language that you can actually learn to read and write and speak. I've never come across anything like this in my whole life; it's unique in literature, Reading the books made an indelible impression on me, and now I read them every year; I never get tired of it."<BR>"At the same time, I remember thinking to myself after I'd finished the third book, The Return of the King, I remember thinking what a fantastic film this would make. I remember also saying it would never happen; just think of what it would cost. And then," he adds, "I had this succulent dream, as an actor, of being in it," He pauses. "Sometimes, dreams do come to."<BR>------------------------------------<P>Christopher Lee, the nearly 80 year old, 6 foot 5-inch, actor is a veteran of more then 250 films and television productions in his 55 years as an actor. <BR>Lee has taking on such classic roles as Frankenstein, Dracula and Fu Mancho. He has also performed in a multitude of classical theatre productions from Shakespeare to Coward. <P><I>I've worked with some very big stars, I've met almost all of them-Like Gable and Tracy and Cooper and Wayne. -Lee</I><P><BR>Lee has also stared in 22 pictures with the late great Peter Cushing (Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars: A New Hope). Christopher Lee is also going to star in the new Star Wars: Episode II-The Attack of the Clones. Although his part is somewhat unclear at this time, it has been said that he will be playing "Count Dooku" which Lucasfilm described simply as a "charismatic separatist."<P><I>"These last two films-Lord of the Rings and Star Wars-I think it's the peak. I can't see myself exceeding them." -Lee</I>

[Glenethor]

He certainly got a role of a lifetime with Saruman. As with McKellen's Gandalf, I can now not really think of anyone else doing Saruman. He gives the wonderful impression of someone who has been driven mad by Sauron. He has that daunting voice. <P>A jolly bloke for a jolly role!

[zifnab]

You can see more of the "Count Dooku" here:<A HREF="http://www.starwars.com/bio/christopherlee.html" TARGET=_blank>Star Wars:Christopher Lee/Count Dooku</A><P>Although it doesn't tell you much about the charactor, maybe in the upcoming weeks, closer to the theater release it will.

[Balefalathiel]

Lee is wonderful! (especially as Saruman)

[Maltagaerion]

<BLOCKQUOTE>quote:<HR>He gives the wonderful impression of someone who has been driven mad by Sauron. <HR></BLOCKQUOTE><P>Ahh yes his performance was wonderful. You could literally see the light of madness in his eyes. Very striking.

[Legolas]

Lee and McKellen were my favorite actors in the movie. Any other actors just wouldn't have cut it.<P>Thought I'd note that Lee reads the trilogy once a year, is in the Guiness World Book of Records for most film credits, and is the only person involved with the movie that actually met Tolkien.

[Aralaithiel]

Sorry, I think Sean Connery would have made a better Saruman.<BR>McKellan as Gandalf...he'd better get an Oscar for that!!! Woo was that perfect!

[Glenethor]

I woulda picked Connery for Theoden. I think Lee has <B>The Voice of Saruman</B>. I have seen two conflicting reports about Sharkey's End: One has him dying in the TTT, one has him, as he should be, ruining the Shire. Hmmmm....just have to wait and see, I guess. I am looking forward to the overthrow of Orthanc, though. That ought to be worth the price of admission. Hoom Hoom!

[Mereth'iel]

I've been a longtime fan of Christopher Lee & got a big kick out of seeing him in LOTR. He was perfect for the role & still has that fabulous voice. He looked great, too. Go, CL!

[the_master_of_puppets]

Sean Connery? As Saruman? Uv gotta be kidding me: that would have been awful! His accent would have been totally wrong 4 the part. And i say this with no dis-respect to the Scots accent, i must undoubtedly have 1 myself coming from the same city as Sean Connery anyway, but it just wouldnt have the same affect as Lee's.<P>I cant imagine anyone else but Christopher Lee in the part, actually, but i think its ridiculously to kill him off early in the Two Towers.

[Glenethor]

Yes, that light of madness in his eyes. You see it when he is talking to Gandalf in his chamber ('you know of what I speak, Gandalf') and when he is on his throne and is in the process of trapping Gandalf. Then there is the scene just after getting orders from Sauron where his head is bowed, and he is hugging himself as if he had just had a run in with the Devil himself (which he did). The only scene I found kind of corny was when he was on top of Orthanc calling down the wrath of Cahadhras on the Fellowship. His overthrow in TTT will likely be worth the price of admission, as was Moria in FoTR.