Mr. Lee and 'The Hobbit'

**Helen Dyer** · 4th June 2008, 10:41 PM

Hi Everyone, I am not familiar with the following source, as to their 'accuracy', but I found this article which talks about an interview with Mr. Lee and his role as Saruman and 'The Hobbit'.

If you have the time and are interested, here is the link:

Empire: Movie News - Exclusive: Christopher Lee On The Hobbit

Here are some more links to different sources that I have found:

Christopher Lee happy to reprise Lord of the Rings role in Hobbit movie - Coventry Telegraph - The Geek Files

MTV Movies Blog The Dailies: June 4, 2008

It would be great if Mr. Lee's character was to be part of the new films. I have heard that they will be filming in New Zealand again.
Hoping for the best for Mr. Lee....

Cheers,;)
Helen

**Steve Marc** · 4th June 2008, 10:54 PM

Would be a wonderful opportunity for Mr. Lee, but travelling to New Zealand and filming over such a long period of time could be too much. And pribcipal photography won't beginn until 2010 I think.

On the other hand: Guillermo del Toro is a fan of Mr. Lee and rumors have it, that he offered him parts in "Blade 2" (2002) and "Hellboy 2" (2008) which he turned down. And rightly so, because in my opinion Mr. Lee is not suited for this kind of over-the-top comic spectacle.

I'm sure they'll have a serious and friendly discussion over this and we'll see what happens. Fingerers crossed!

**Isabel Alves** · 5th June 2008, 02:51 AM

Hummm... Very interessant this notice! Bravo!

**Josh Dorsheimer** · 5th June 2008, 07:10 AM

Oooh! Mr. Del Toro and Mr. Lee? My heart would melt! ^_^

**Stephen Welbourn** · 5th June 2008, 10:05 PM

It would be great if Christopher did appear in this film but because it is not being made until 2010 and it is to be shot in New Zealand I wonder if Christopher would be able to do it.

**George Bauch** · 7th June 2008, 02:51 AM

I think it would be great if Mr. Lee played Gandalf in the Hobbit. He'd be perfect with that great voice of his. Don't you think? But I suppose Ian McKellan will be playing the part, huh?

**Aaron Singh** · 8th June 2008, 02:57 AM

Hi Helen, thanks very much for the notice! I'd been looking forward to any news about Christopher Lee reprising his role as soon as I heard about The Hobbit, especially since they're going to make an extra movie to fill in the gaps between then and Lord of the Rings. There's so much to say about the White Council forcing Sauron out of Dol Guldur - they could easily squeeze Saruman in there somewhere, he is after all head of the Council.

And yes, Guillermo del Toro might ask Mr Lee on board - he's a true fan, he's even been posting in person on theonering.net message boards to talk to the fans himself. What a nice guy.

P.S. George - you're right on both counts, I've fantasised about Mr Lee playing Gandalf too, but Ian McKellen's already on board. In The Hobbit Saruman is still mostly his old good self though, so he'd be much like Gandalf in that sense.

**Helen Dyer** · 14th July 2008, 02:01 AM

Hi Everyone, I found a blog that has a UTube interview with Mr. Lee from the Karlovy Film Festival. He talks about the Hobbit films coming up.

It is an interesting interview.

If you have the time and are interested here is the link;

Rama’s SCREEN Christopher Lee does NOT want to play Saruman in THE HOBBIT Movie

Cheers,

Helen

**Stuart Ball** · 14th July 2008, 10:02 AM

Excellent link, Helen. Thanks!

I don't blame Mr. Lee for not wanting to travel to New Zealand again. It's an incredibly long way to go for anybody, let alone someone of advanced years.

**Matt Gemmell** · 14th July 2008, 01:19 PM

I fully appreciatte Mr Lee's reasons regarding the distance and time involved but if the character was required for a part in the film surely it could be filmed anywhere.
With todays movie magic Sarumans part could be filmed closer to home and easily inserted into the finished film. Just a thought.
After all, do we really want anyone else playing the part ?

**Joakim Lundberg** · 14th July 2008, 03:16 PM

We certainly don't want anyone else playing Saruman the White besides Mr Lee. At least I don't.
To film his scenes in London and put it together might be easy to do. I don't know.
But having him there present on location would probably be much cheaper for the studio.

**Nicholas Morrell** · 1st August 2008, 09:26 AM

Gandalf for me, cannot be anyone but Ian Mackellan, whio is a stellar actor in his own right. In the same way, I cannot picture Saruman as anyone other than Lee. Now any role Lee would have in the film would be brief, as those who are familar with the Hobbit know , Saruman is barely mentioned in the book at all. As for the second film which covers the 60 years in between, that one is problematic because its not based on a book, but rather buiits and pieces here and there in the early part of the Fellowship (The Long Expected Party). While I understand his reluctance for traveling to new zealand, to complete the film quintet would be a rich reward for all his fans..

**Helen Dyer** · 2nd December 2008, 01:13 AM

Hi Everyone, I found this interview with the Director Guillermo del Toro; concerning 'The Hobbit' and I guess he may be doing a remake of 'Frankenstein'. Anyway, Mr. Lee and Mr. Karloff are both mentioned briefly in the article. Also Guillermo's thought on the 'Signature Monsters' in the Hobbit......Interesting bits of info and a bit of thoughtful speculation for us........

If you have the time and are interested; here is the link:

Interview: Guillermo del Toro on Hobbit and Frankenstein - CanMag

Cheers,

Helen

**Laurel Erie** · 4th December 2008, 06:27 PM

Thank you Helen for all the great links. So much great info in theme. Well have to see how all this turns out.

Laurel Erie

**Brandon Jones** · 5th December 2008, 12:09 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Stuart Ball

Excellent link, Helen. Thanks!

I don't blame Mr. Lee for not wanting to travel to New Zealand again. It's an incredibly long way to go for anybody, let alone someone of advanced years.

Still though, if Ian mcKellen is returning, so should Mr. Lee.

Saruman not portrayed by Mr. Lee is like Superman without Christopher Reeve! Peanut butter without jelly! Seinfeld without Jerry! You get the picture.