Added: 3 years ago
From: Rushblogg
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  • is this the same actor as count dooku from starwars??!

  • Legend. Much respect for him staying true and then elequently explaining why he will not. 

  • Indeed - however - he did...with modern technology he was able to be filmed at a completely different location and can be pieced into the scenes so that he would not have to travel.

  • @ReuWil I wasn't talking so much about that. I meant if he were to play Saruman from the Silmarillion/Unfinished Tales period his character wouldn't be corrupted as much. So even though it might be true to cannon, the people watching would expect something different.

  • christopher lee knew JRR Tolkien in real life

  • I could listen to this man reading a phone book.

  • To accomodate the shooting schedule for Christopher Lee, it's been reported that his scenes will be filmed at Pinewood Studios in England thereby saving the veteran actor from having to make the long trip to New Zealand.

    Director Peter Jackson was keen to have him participate in the project and address the actor's concerns of having to travel vast distance to do the films.

  • @woohooboy His scenes were already shot sometime in mid 2011 for both films from England - you can find a clip of part of the shootings where they do a brief little skit with him and Peter Jackson - look up the video "Christopher Lee returns as Saruman"

  • My heart breaks when I hear him say "if I'm still alive."

  • i cant believe this is over 3 years ago. the hobbit is taking forever to make

  • I LOVE his voice!

  • Is this guy just a bit pompous...

  • @BlackenedForLife He's Saruman, he's allowed to be pompous. 

  • @LeeClaxton He said billion, you inattentive, insensitive, moron.

  • @LeeClaxton He said 4-5 Billion!

  • A man of his age having to go all the way to New Zealand obviously isn't ideal hopefully they will find someway to do his parts nearer to home

  • Sarusmaug. Holy shit.

  • to think at 89 Christopher Lee is still making movies and is already contracted for a role in 2012, simply amazing and what I like most about Christopher Lee is not only is he a great actor he has such a commanding voice and love the way he can steal a scene in a movie from these younger actors. That is saying something about his ability to act.

  • He was 86 when this was taken, I can't blame him for saying it's too much.

  • And in the end he is back as Saruman for the Hobbit!

  • thumbs up if you came here just to listen to his awesome voice!

  • he has a vast vast knowledge of the books, he was friends with toklien and has done audio on several of his writings like the silmirlian (in short about morgoth the master of sauron all the way upto the 2nd age of the wars before lord of the rings)... he could talk all day about the topic :)

  • @Z7TomC7Z they weren't friends

    they shook hands - once.

  • @AlexRider001 i would loved to hand shaken tolkiens hand - once

  • @Z7TomC7Z who wouldn't...

  • Comment removed

  • thumbs up if you think christopher lee should be cast as the voice of smaug

  • @MetallenVikingr

    Benedict Cumberbatch = smaug

  • I'm not gonna make a joke about the number of dislikes, just gonna say those 6 people are dumb asses.

  • To far to go, you should learn something from Frodo he didn't have that attitude, he succeed.

  • id love for him to make an audio book the hobbit, his voice is amazing

  • Saruman is my fav character but i like Grandalf too

  • I want to add another fantastic character he played...

    Flay in Gormenghast

  • if they made a mid-third-age film i would expect to see younger wizards. they can't have always been that old.

  • @DrQuailMan Gandalf and Saruman (Sauron also) are maiar. You can compare maiar with lower gods or angels.(they existed before middle earth) The angel took the physical form Gandalf. I have heard that Gandalf is around 2000 years old.

  • @Th3D4nny are you saying that their beards would be just as long at 1000 years old as we saw them at 2000 years old?

  • @DrQuailMan Yes they've always been that old. The only reason why Gandalf, Saruman, and the other wizards are in the form of old men is because Eru / Illuvatar / God wanted to limit their power.

  • @DrQuailMan You can cut/shave your beard, so yes.

  • @DrQuailMan They don't age. The Istari or The Five Wizards take the form of old men and they stay in that form until they're task is done and they go back to Valinor or if they die, but they don't age, grow longer beards etc.

  • YES! Please live long enough to be Smaug... actually just live forever.

  • @maxharleyrogerson you havent heard that Smaugs voice is already cast?

  • @Chopsta123 No I hadn't. That sucks.

  • Are U crazy man?!?! We would rent US AIR1 to get you there, get Donald Trump's private jet with a waterbed, casino, memory foam 1st class reclining seats, or get you into a 6 stars cruise, whatever to make you go there and be part of the films!!!

  • ill be seeing you in middle earth next year sr!

  • Awesome Lee!

  • I love how his normal voice is his Saruman voice. So intimidating :D

  • Quite another class then all the toxininduced problemcases in America they call actors.

  • I didn't know the Istari owned rings, not in the pinkie at least lol

  • Christopher lee rocks!

  • A legend in his own time. Great story teller, great voice, articulate and thought provoking. Maybe he could fly in increments?

  • He's one of the best actors in the history of cinema, and he's got a terrific voice

  • He is a legend even among legendary actors and that voice! I could listen to him talk forever. A true gentlemen, so kind and knowledgeable. Very few actors would take the time to answer that question as fully and completely as he did.

  • He has nothing to proove to anyone.

  • He has the most magical voice and was the perfect actor to play Saruman, I really dont think any other actor could pull it off as perfectly

  • @waxcoatedbanjo totally, specially since Saruman is famous for his voice, if any other person plays Saruman i will be outraged, its either him or NOONE, you hear me Jackson, him or NONE.

  • @Tobolococo Did you see the Hobbit production diary 3? He's back :) I just hope his health holds out...he is 89 years old, after all, so it's understandable if he didn't want to go to New Zealand. If I were Peter Jackson, I'd bring the stage to him if at all possible, and film his scenes on a sound stage.

  • @Tobolococo It was him. :-)

  • @waxcoatedbanjo He also knows so much about Lord of the Rings. He read the whole series once every year. It was said that he helped Peter Jackson in making the films.

  • @waxcoatedbanjo Have you seen him in the Wicker Man? If you haven't, do yourself a favor. He is a great performer.

  • @waxcoatedbanjo Billy Mays

  • @Basram Saruman here with another great offer! It's the Grima Wormtongue! It stays in your house, mooches your food and hits on your niece! Absolutely perfect for any senile old king! And if you call now, we'll take the Hobbits to Isengard for free!*

    *Offer does not include shipping and handling.

    Something along those lines? :P

  • hmm, Chris Lee in The Hobbit, either they have written him in for a new part, or, they are going to pervert the story of the gratest story ever told. But the second movie...possibly Silmarillion? or something from one of JRR Tolkiens unfinished stories? But Chris Lee as the voice of Smaugh? I dont know if there would be any one better.

  • @NewGunBunny Chris Lee as the voice of Smaug would be the greatest thing to happen since the invention of the wheel

  • Don't go yet Mr Christopher Lee we need people like you in the uk, your a true legend keep going aslong as you can, we love you :)

  • He is the best. As long as these movies live, so does he.

  • he as the voice of a dragon, I got a new dream that hopfully cames out

  • he is the greatest

  • @Grop23 he will one day die but Christoper Lee is one of the greater actors of all time and his legacy will live on.

  • Christopher Lee is such an awesome and charismatic actor. I understand that it is too far for him to travel. He is an old man after all. Yet, it sort of hurts him saying it (even though it is true) because we all want him to live and act out more amazing characters. It is at times like these that it is such a great comfort to believe that there is a life beyond the threshold of death. A life which holds more than eternal memory, as Aragorn put it in the appendix of LOTR

  • I guess it's not news to those that have been paying close attention but Christopher Lee WILL BE INCLUDED IN THE HOBBIT. IT HAS BEEN CONFIRMED.

  • @Grop23 What's awesome is that Sir Lee owns a massive collection of occult books. So if there is some way to become immortal - he'll know about it.

  • @Grop23 I'm starting to think he will never die...=)

  • he is both intelligent and informed. what a coup that he was available and willing to play Saruman. That is one performance which i think even JRRT would have approved.

  • @revpgesq JRRT did approve, Christopher Lee was the only member of the cast to meet JRRT before his death, and Tolkien asked him to to play Gandalf if a movie was ever made. New Line didn't want him for Gandalf so he accepted Saruman just because of how badly he wanted involved in the project.

  • @dream6601 thank you dream....now that you say that it sounds familiar. appreciate your knowledge on this.

  • I hope he doesn't die in the next couple of years. He would miss all the prmeires :(

  • im guessing they'll be including the scene in which the white council defeat sauron at dol guldor. be interesting to see christopher lee playing saruman before he became corrupt

  • @jhibbitt1 even when they chased Sauron from Dol Guldur, Saruman was turning...or at least that is inferred by Saruman's apparent desire to defer action against Sauron?

  • @revpgesq i expect then we shud hopefully get the full story about saruman turning to evil

  • He actually first auditioned for the role of Gandalf, and he also was considered for Magneto in X-Men. curse you, Ian Mckellen!

  • @Theriot6592 He turned down the role of Gandalf because he tought he was to old for all the horse back riding and fighting.

  • Christopher Lee is one of those people who you remember as always being old your entire life. Does anyone else feel that way?

  • Incredible man. He's done just about everyone one can do on this planet, and he's still incredibly vibrant sharp for being almost 90.

    It will be a very sad day when he's no longer with us.

  • we love you sir lee, ever since i was a little kid.

  • As long as he can film his scenes without having to travel, he will be in the second Hobbit movie. Thank God.

  • Saruman! It's really him! .. He is my favorite and number one with Ian McKellen. World without people like him would be very empty.

  • love how he takes the time to anwer this question and gives so many details. nice one Sir.

  • He actualy has been cast for "the hobbit"

  • My god - His voice is just ... WOW. Hes just a master in using his voice.

  • Fun Fact: He originally auditioned for the role of Gandalf

  • @Theriot6592 I think he was well suited given his knowledge and love of the Tolkien mythology. But I don't suppose anyone disputes how perfect he played Saruman and McKellen as Gandalf did anything but disappoint! Watching those two on screen together was a joy.

  • my favorite Count Dracula

  • This video makes me a bit sad actually. What he says in the end of it: "It's too far." He will turn 89 this year. Quite simply, he is very old by now and doesn't have the strenght he had when he was younger and he knows it. It will be a sad day when he finally pass away.

  • I agree with Lee on Smaug. I grew up with the Rankin/Bass movies and I still love them despite their flaws and do have fine memories about Richard Boone as the dragon, and Lee is the only man who comes to mind when I think of a guy that can equal or better Boone's deep voice. It wouldn't make sense with having Saruman in it, and given that they removed the final scene with him, they owe him that much. It'd be alot easier to do and given he did the Jabberwock I can picture him doing it.

  • Count Dooku - "Your compassion to all life will be the end of you!"

  • His voice is really powerfull!!

    

  • Smaug = the 2nd most kick ass dragon in Tolkein's work. #1 is the 1 from the Silmarillion. Glaursomething or other i realy dont feel like getting it out XD

  • @nastrael you mean Glaurung yeah he's awesome :p

  • who could be audacious enough to keep their phone on at 3:25 in the middle of what this person has to say concerning hobbits and LOTR

  • I swear it was Saruman the White, not Saruman the black/red. Although in the book he does name himself Saruman of the many colours

  • Well indirectly Saruman plays a part in the book. The white council attacks Dol Guldur, which probably will be shown in the movie(s).

  • imagine him reading u a bedtime story?

  • 1.) Count Dooku

    2.) Count Dracula

    3.) Saruman

    Christopher Lee U R A Legend!

  • @RobotnikTheGreat 4) Scaramanga (The man with the golden gun)!!

  • I could listen to Christopher Lee talk all day, what a great story teller he is.

  • Its such a shame that they cut out Christopher Lee from part 3.

    To be honest, this film is lucky to get such an great actor.

  • @asemon2000 they cut it because they felt it wouldnt go well killing a film 2 villian in the 3rd film Then in Star Wars 3 they kill Christoper a villian from the 2nd movie and it goes amazingly well how ironic

  • It's great to see someone who actually cares about the character he plays, rather than it just being a "job".

  • It would be so freaking awesome if he voiced Smaug. It would make up for his lack of dialogue as the Jabberwocky in Alice in Wonderland.

  • Lee is going to return as Saruman! It says it on both the wikipedia page for The Hobbit and Christopher Lee's own website and on his wikipedia page. How exciting!

  • @gazm393 Hell Yeah!!

  • Wonderful actor, fascinating man.

  • its too far? im sure saruman would say the same thing

  • Apparently he's been in more film sword fights than any other actor to date. Quite appropriate for a knight and bearer of the coat of arms of the Holy Roman Empire.

  • I pray for the good health of Sir Christopher Lee, may he live a longer healthier life. It would be an absolute honour if Sir Christopher Lee did return to Middle Earth.

  • According to his official website, he will be in The Hobbit as Saruman as long as he's healthy enough. Awesome!

  • Put him back! His voice overs and monologues in LOTR were incredible. The hell with Dracula, Christopher Lee IS Saruman!

  • Saruman must be his best role!

  • Is there any other choice of a person to voice Smaug.

  • @DyingSID666 Tim Curry, perhaps?

  • @martythetickler He would be good, but Christopher Lee has a more deep and imposing voice, he is the best choice.

  • If I was Peter Jackson, and indeed was putting Saruman in the film, I would've taken the scenes with Saruman in England. Just because he is one of the greatest actors.

  • The man's almost 90 years old and still as sharp as a bloody pin!! What a great actor!

  • @ProfMiddleEarth Sean Connery is known to be a good dragon though. That wouldn't work. I would wanna hug Smaug.

  • I WOULD SO LOVE TO HEAR HIM AS SMAUG!!!!

  • Did he say LOTR made 4 to 5 billion dollars? Sheeeeet! Did it make that much!

  • @nat00ben06 Yess, it made more actually. It grossed just shy of 3 billion in theaters, and another roughly 3 billion through rentals, merchandise, tie-ins, and DVD sales.

  • @nat00ben06 It made almost 3 billion at the box office (LOTR series), and think of all the money it would have made from DVD and merchandising. I'd say 5 billion would be a conservative estimate.

  • He seems like a really brilliant man. I wish I could meet him, and I'm gutted he won't be in the Hobbit parts 1 & 2, but alas.

  • It something about Christopher where i actually think that he is Saruman, its weird.

    Would be nice seeing saruman as a good character aswell

    I like seeing that he has good knowledge of lotr :)

  • If Christopher doesnt appear in the Hobbit i still think he should have a voice appearance. If he does appear obviously he is getting old and he could fim scenes in the UK for the movie/s. But they better hurry up, coz hes not getting any younger

  • english legend

  • oh my, he is 200% classic englishman :)

  • it would be so great for Christopher to return as Saruman, but I can understand why he dosen't want to go to New Zealand and its probably a good idea for him not to.

    LEGEND OF AN ACTOR!!!!!!!

  • I pray for Sir Christopher Lee. That he would repent of his Satanic Witchcraft. I pray he stop mocking God and his people with movies like the WICKER MAN. If you think I am making it up about him being satanic and into witchcraft. He has a extisive library on the occult. He worships I believe lucifer and pray he turn to Jesus

  • @wreaksatansday Yeah, you just keep on praying if you will Lol! Fact is, the wicker man is a cult classic loved by many around the world, and it wouldn't be as powerful an influence as it is without Mr. Lee! BTW, and FYI, the occult has zero to do with satanism. Satanists are no more than pissed off christians, while occultists are students of the mysteries, something you would have no interest in or intellect for as a christian sheeple! :)

  • @wreaksatansday

    .....what

  • and i do agree with sir christopher that it would be too much to travel all the way to new zealand to do the hobbit....far too far.. he is an 80 odd year old man now.......... its was even kind of him to offer to do the voice over as smaug because without lee in the hobbit it would never be a big screen hit anyway.

  • the only great thing about peter jacksons lord of the rings was christopher lee playing saruman.

  • the only great thing what was not great about the films

  • i think God speaks through Christopher Lee's mouth...

  • Christopher Lee's voice: it's very sound an enchantment.

  • Haha christopher Lee will never die! He'll still be making movies when i am 80! after all he is a vampiresithlordwizardbondvilli­anandthefoundingfatherofpakist­an haha.

  • jackson chose the absolute perfect role for saruman

  • If you people haven't already seen them.. Check out Christopher Lee as the voice of Death in the Discworld series off movies.... Colour of Magic, Soul Music, Wyrd Sisters, and The Hogfather.

    Amazing movies in their own right (soul music, and wyrd sisters are animated. The others are not. Hogfather and Colour are live action, and WAY better.), made all the better by Mr. Lee.

    Check out Going Postal as well. He isn't in it, but it is a Discworld movie, and if you like the others, u will love it!

  • Beautiful voice, tremendous actor. A real treasure.

  • Legendary man, really his role in LOTR was the most charismatic of all characters, he was 80 when he starred, even Ian Mckellen (gandalf) is not as old nowadays as Christopher was. Really talented person, who is very overlooked by others.

  • @jadhsyjhduyhjy oops accidentally disliked this, meant to like it!

  • @Bazza37 thank you I really love him but I am afraid he will never have a movie role like he had previosly.

  • Christopher Lee is the man who should have been Albus Dumbledore when sadly Richard Harris passed away Michael Gambon is just plain horrible in my opinion such a terrible replacement, Richard was everything that Dumbledore should have been very kind caring sort of person with a heart of gold Gambon display's none of those characteristics but Lee would of definitely carried on the legacy he really should been the number one choice for that role not bloody Gambon

  • @moviebuff1986 No, you know who would have been a good replacement for Sir Richard? Peter O' Toole.

  • That IS the voice of Curunir...

  • @Rokluverzunite I agree with you, he is Curunir

  • Like Saruman in the books, his voice is truly mesmerizing. You can listen to this man for hours.

  • In two towers he was 2 years from being 80 years old! Pretty crazy to be working as an actor in a big time movie like that at that age and still make it so good.

  • CL...Is one of many who help people coin the saying.."Hollywood royalty' 

  • I understand completely what he is saying about New Zealand and it has nothing to do with that wonderful country or it's people ... it's just so far away. He's nearly 90 years old for Christ's sake. I'm 64 and find it arduous to fly to Melbourne to see my daughter and her family.

  • The man is a legend. I dont see him as the voice of Smog though only because he is the voice of Saruman. the two roles would conflict with each other. Max Von Sydow would be a good choice

  • Saruman was THEE shit, any chance to see him again would rock.

  • Christopher Lee always speaks about how he's soon going to die but we all know that he will live beyond the ending of time itself, at least through the legacy he leaves. Also, he would be a FANTASTIC Smaug...though if it sounded as I always visualised, they'd have to distort his voice a tad,

  • @AnnatarYoung hes never going to die..He is a Vampire we all know it <3

  • Guys you talk like he's already dead, just forget about it :)

  • a legend

  • he is so honest. he's like, if they are going to do another film and I'm still alive....

  • His voice is awesome.

  • I really love him <3 ^_^

  • fucking producers, give him the chance to make his scenes in london, we want Saruman on "the hobbit"

  • I hope Paul Ruebens is the voice of Smaug. When Bilbo introduces himself as barrel rider, Smaug could say "I know you are but what am I?". Heh heh heh.

  • There are three actors I can think of for the voice of Smaug. Christopher Lee is, of course, the best of those three, though it might be complicated if Smaug sounds exactly like Saruman, lol. The other two actors I would like are Geoffrey Rush (Captain Barbosa in Pirates of the Caribbean) and Alan Rickman (Severus Snape in Harry Potter). But I REALLY hope Christopher Lee does Smaug's voice.

  • He is just a legend even alive. I remember any words of him "Heavy metal will never die!" At this moment, I really knew that he is not an ordanary actor and singer.

  • One day, when he dies, I will cry MY EYES OUT! Seriously, he might not be THE GREATEST actor ever coz there are millions of actors in this world, but in my heart he's the best. And there will never be a man like him anymore. :(

    He's truly blessed with such a long time to live and his wisdom are one of the things that helped him to relate to Saruman.

  • its terrible that they cut his last scene in LOTR! i was outraged at the third film for not putting it in. Chritopher lee is a great actor