[Lalaith]

I don't know if Sir Ian McKellen knew the books well before he took the role, but after he got it, he made damn sure he knew the books back to front. So much so, that he often challenged PJ on some of his interpretation.<BR>Now I personally think Sir Ian's performance was tremendous. I also think that Elijah's was rather one-dimensional, lacking depth, variation and, yes, intelligence. <BR>Could acquaintance with the work in hand, or lack of it, have any bearing on this?<P>Oh, and HC, which actors do you have in mind who don't read the books before the roles? I'm not casting doubt on your assertion at all, I'm interested to know.