Christopher Lee NOT to be nominated for LOTR!

[cutshaw]

I have just read an article http://www.theonering.net/perl/newsview/8/1007171130
that indicates which actors New Line are pushing for Oscar consideration and as you will see there is no mention of Mr. Lee. I find this very disappointing and surprising as the early word has been that he gives an excellent performance. The only possible reason I can think of is that Mr. Lee has an even stronger presence in the second film and they feel they should wait until then. Even so, I'm sure all of us here will feel it is a major oversight.

[Juan Aneiros]

That's actually very good news. New Line would have not left him out if they didn't have a very good reason for it.

A life Oscar beats a best supporting actor anytime and specially since it will never beat his "Jinnah" performance.

[John Farrell]

I'd like to see the Jinnah performance. Is it still in limbo? Is a video release ever in the works?

Best,

John F

[Grace]

I really did want Christopher Lee to be nominated for the first of the Lord of the Rings but I guess there's always the second movie that is coming out on 2002, maybe he would get an honorary Oscar for his Jinnah performance , I did 'nt see the Movie Jinnah , so i'm hoping that it would come out on Vhs or DVD so I could see it and Mr. Lee will be part of the commentary of the DVD as well as Ben Kingsly did his for Gandhi ofcourse .

Best Regards

[Jonathan Craig]

I think Christopher Lee is only going to be making a brief appearance in "The Fellowship of the Ring" so it's rather unlikely that he would be nominated for an Oscar. However, it's the second film in the series where he'll really be seen... so let's hope!

As for a Life Achievement Oscar... that'd be beautiful, but I don't have much faith in the Academy...

[Jrcasey]

I will forgive the AMPAS members for the lack of nomination this year if they give him a you know what! LOL! Here's hoping!

[Todd Baesen]

A two page ad in VARIETY indicates
just exactly who New Line will be pushing for Academy Award consideration for LORD OF THE RINGS.

For Best Actor: IAN McKELLEN

Best Supporting Actor: ELIJAH WOOD, IAN HOLM, VIGGO MORTENSEN, SEAN BEAN.

For Best Supporting Actress: CATE BLANCHETT, LIV TYLER

However, these are just suggestions, as the Academy voters vote for whoever they prefer, and in whatever category they prefer. For instance, Elijah Wood is actually the leading actor in LOTR, with far more screen time than Ian McKellen, so voters may elect to nominate Wood as best actor (although unlikely), and vote for McKellen as best supporting actor. Likewise, although not being supported by New Line, Academy voters may decide to vote for Lee as best supporting actor if they feel his acting work merits such honors.

Having seen the film, I think despite the fact that this is Christopher Lee's best role in a very long time, it is rather unlikely he will be nominated, mostly because Ian McKellen has a better and more dramatic role, making him the most likely actor from LOTR's to be nominated.

However, Mr. Lee's part is not at all a brief appearance (like in SLEEPY HOLLOW), but a full and exciting major role, where as the chief villian, he gets to develop a character who was Gandalf's mentor, and becomes his nemisis. There is a spectacular one on one face-off between Lee and Ian McKellen in which they both get to show off their acting chops, as well as their battling skills, as they go at each other with the full force of their magical powers.

Lee also provides highly dramatic voice over narration for several sequences in the film, including the astonishing birth scenes of the hordes of Uruk-Hai, whose mission is to obtain the Ring for Saruman - no matter what the cost.

[cutshaw]

Hi Alucard!

A review of the entire movie would be very much appreciated if you have the time!

[Todd Baesen]

I saw the film Tuesday and have been thinking about it (off and on) ever since. Will have a more detailed review to post over the weekend, (with special emphasis on Christopher Lee's role of course).

I don't want to go overboard and get people's expectations too out of whack, but I think LOTR's is far and away the best fantasy movie in the last 24 years, (since STAR WARS).

[Kim]

 

   

Lee also provides highly dramatic voice over narration for  several sequences in the film, including the astonishing birth scenes of the hordes of Uruk-Hai, whose mission is to obtain the Ring for Saruman  - no matter what the cost.

That's the first time I've heard this mentioned (with all of the many reviews I've read), wow! Now I'm really excited for December 19th.

Regarding the non-Oscar bid, I'm hoping that the theory of New Line waiting to push Mr. Lee until The Two Towers is released is a valid one.

[Todd Baesen]

-

Never underestimate the powers of a dark wizard. A report in Daily Variety, on handicapping possible Oscar nominations for LORD OF THE RINGS, had this to say:

"Among the cast, Ian McKellen, Cate Blanchett, and Ian Holm already have single Oscar nominations. And veteran horror legend Christopher Lee also has a memorable presence in the film, and the Academy values longevity."

Now if only New Line would run some ads promoting Christopher Lee. All the reviews indicate he is excellent and one of the acting highlights of the film!

-

[Beast]

Man I think Mr. Lee deserves to be nominated for best supporting AT THE VERY MINIMAL!

This film had BETTER win Best Pic, direc, cinema, spFX, costuming, score, etc........

When it came time for the first chapter to end on opening night in Seattle, the audience, including myself) exclaimed "Awwwwwwww" :D

One year seems so far away for the second flick!

Cheers

B

[Todd Baesen]

The January 22, 2002 issue of the trade newspaper Daily Variety features a great shot of Christopher Lee in an Oscar consideration ad for LORD OF THE RINGS. Although it's an ad touting Peter Jackson as Best Director, Lee dominates the picture, as he is standing in the middle between Ian McKellan and director Jackson as they stroll on the lawn outside his tower at Isengard - it's the same pic titled "three Wizards in the LOTR companion book.

Also, LOTR's seems poised to get multiple nominations, probably at least ten, as it already is a finalist in the three annouced preliminary categories (of Make-up, Special Effects and Sound Editing).

[David Vasser]

It is great news that New Line is finially being fair to Mr. Lee in their pre-nomination campaign. So now, could we be due another Wizards battle? A battle for votes instead of bolts? Could they both be nominated for best actor? And if so, would that dilute the voting so that neither could possibly win?

Also, doesn't it make you wonder where their brain is when "Daily Variety" pidgeonholes Mr. Lee as a "veteran horror legend" as in the post from Alucard6. "Variety" of all publications should know better. I suppose they also classify Humphrey Bogart as a "veteran gangster legend".

[mgoguen]

I had the unplanned and unusual experience of seeing LOTR two times in one day yesterday (2nd and 3rd viewings), which allowed me to concentrate more on the supporting characters and performances, particularly Mr. Lee's performance as Saruman. I am a lifelong fan of Christopher Lee's work, having been given nightmares as a child by his Dracula films (we never forget those who induce childhood nightmares). It's the eyes, I think; they burn right into your conciousness - unforgettable.

In any case, I found that in fact Mr. Lee has delivered a masterful performance as Saruman, communicating chilling duplicity and evil without once chewing the scenery. At first I found Saruman to be a bit remote as a character, but on closer inspection I realized that Mr. Lee has used his every onscreen moment to convey a kind of true inner wickedness that can only be accomplished by a great and intelligent actor in complete control of his craft.

No award is necessary to confirm this fact, although of course it would be a joyous thing to see Mr. Lee accepting an Oscar. I'm afraid that LOTR will be pretty much shut out of the awards, anyway, considering what happened with the Golden Globes. Just remember that awards really don't mean all that much - just look at the list of great films and great actors who've never won an oscar, and those that have that are nearly forgotten.