Christopher Lee was never one to shy away from sharing his thoughts, and when it came to The Lord of the Rings, he had a lot to say. The late actor, known for his iconic role as Saruman, had some serious mixed feelings about Peter Jackson’s decisions during filming. While he appreciated the chance to work alongside Ian McKellen, there was a part of him that wasn’t thrilled with how things unfolded.
Lee felt the pressure of the creative choices and the weight of expectations on his shoulders. But he stayed professional, bringing his own magic to the screen while navigating the drama behind the scenes.
Christopher Lee: A Legacy in Shadows and Saruman’s Struggles
Though Christopher Lee passed away in 2015, his mark on cinema is eternal. Known for roles like Dracula, Count Dooku in Star Wars, and the unforgettable Man with the Golden Gun, Lee had a burning passion for one particular role in The Lord of the Rings.
When director Peter Jackson and screenwriter Fran Walsh first met Lee, he made quite an entrance, “literally looming out of the shadows” in a Gothic church. Their conversation took a twist when Jackson realized Lee was there to discuss playing Gandalf, not Saruman. The awkward moment unfolded as Jackson had to explain they were already in talks with Ian McKellen for the iconic wizard role. Lee’s reaction? A firm demand to audition for Gandalf right then and there.
Despite not wanting to portray Saruman initially, Lee ultimately accepted the role, though he always felt unsettled about it. During filming, Lee humorously acknowledged his predicament to McKellen, saying,
I’m perfectly happy to be in an ‘Ian McKellen film. But not as thrilled as I am – to be in a ‘Christopher Lee movie’!
While Lee often looked back on his career with a hint of disdain, those around him admired his contributions. Even after expressing reluctance, he returned to the role of Saruman in The Hobbit trilogy. In the end, Jackson summed it up perfectly: “For my part, I’m as happy as hell to have made five Christopher Lee movies.”
Christopher Lee and Xixi Lim Earn Nomination at Asian Television Awards
Christopher Lee and Xixi Lim received nominations at the 29th Asian Television Awards, showcasing tough competition. Lee was up for Best Actor in a Leading Role for Kill Sera Sera, facing his brother Frederick Lee, nominated for Night Blindness.
Singaporean talents shined, with Bryan Wong, Jernelle Oh, Darren Lim, and Lim vying for Best Entertainment Presenter. Oh and Lim were recognized for #JustSwipeLah, while Wong was nominated for Makan On Wheels. Fang Rong from Mediacorp competed for Best Leading Female Performance – Digital for Last Madame: Sisters Of The Night, contributing to a total of 55 local nominations!
Watch The Lord of the Rings on Amazon Prime & Apple TV.
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