CL as Smaug?

**Rich Carlson** · 13th June 2008, 06:37 AM

Here's a switch. Since they're making The Hobbit into two movies now, they need a voice and an actor for Smaug. The dragon, Smaug, is ancient, intelligent, sinister and devious, and in a film, he must be absolutely credible and have gravitas and a powerful charisma. So (and also since Saruman isn't technically in The Hobbit), I hereby nominate Mr. Lee for the role of Smaug. I can't imagine anyone else doing it. (And no, not Sean Connery. ;))

**George Bauch** · 13th June 2008, 06:27 PM

Sounds like a good idea to me, Rich. Mr. Lee has done a lot of voice work over the years (The Last Unicorn, The Nutcracker Fantasy, The Soldiers Story & Peter & The Wolf on cd, etc.) and is VERY good at it. He has an incredible voice. I think Richard Boone did the voice of Smaug in the Rankin/Bass animated Hobbit back in the 70s, didn't he? I remember it being quite good. The voice, i mean, not the film.

**Aaron Singh** · 15th June 2008, 05:35 AM

Ooh, good idea, Rich and George. So far Guillermo del Toro (director) has said he has someone specific in mind for Smaug, and if we're lucky it's Christopher Lee - I agree he'd be perfect. Rumour has it GDT's already contacting Mr Lee, but people just assume it's for Saruman - maybe del Toro wants him to play Smaug?

Fingers crossed!

**Nicholas Morrell** · 16th June 2008, 05:03 PM

saruman would likely have a role in the secondf film which covered the 60 years between the Hobbit and LOTR. While I think lee could do a fine job on Smaug, another vice that could be used is James Earl Jones.