We learn today that Christoper Lee will not be in the pair of films preceding the LOTR trilogy, save for maybe some voice work! We get the following scoop from our friends at cinematical:
Christopher Lee attended the Karlovy Vary International Film Festival this week, and our friends from RushBlogg, Karsten and Eirik, were on hand to talk to him. Of all the attendees, Meinich was the only one who asked Lee about his involvement in The Hobbit. Lee’s answer came as quite a surprise — first, he’s adamant that he won’t be appearing in The Hobbit, because as we all know, Saruman isn’t in the book. This comes as no surprise — Lee is a Tolkien purist (thank goodness!) and he won’t allow himself to be shoehorned in, even if Peter Jackson and Guillermo del Toro were interested in doing so.
That doesn’t mean Lee isn’t interested in being in The Hobbit at all, however! He’ll appear in the film as long as he can stay in London, and there’s a character he’s quite keen to play. Or rather, voice. Someone very large, with a penchant for gold…
Lee loves Tolkien’s universe and it’s no surprise to me that he considers himself a purist and is sticking to his principles. Lee lamented the cutting of Saruman’s scenes from the LOTR trilogy and I remember lamenting for him, because you could feel the disappointment in his voice; I think he would live in Middle Earth, given the opportunity.
It is interesting that he is making known the desire to voice Smaug the Dragon. I for one would be all for him voicing the beast. International friends – would you be game for Lee to voice Smaug, or would you prefer another?
I totally agree with Kris regarding this:
“I’d much rather see them go with someone who has not been a prominent character in the series already. Lee’s voice is great, but having him as Smaug and Saruman wouldn’t work for me.”
I’d love to hear him voice Smaug.
I’d prefer someone else honestly but if Lee is capable of changing his voice enough then I’d be okay with it. I don’t want to be thinking of Saruman the Smaug every time I hear the dragon’s voice.
I like Christoper Lee’s voice as Smaug.
I liked the idea of Ron Perlman doing Smaug until i read this and i think i’d like to see Christopher Lee do it now, his got that authority and presence in just his voice plus you know he just love’s Tolkien’s Middle Earth.
Chris Lee as Smaug. Duuuuude. It’d have to be digitally altered, of course.
But why would they even question whether he’ll be reprising his Saruman role? The guy is not in the book. He’s not important to the story. There’s no reason why they should even have to discuss it. He didn’t even appear in ROTK and he had a much bigger part there.
Yeah, didn’t Del Toro already say he wanted Ron Perlman to voice Smaug?
If Christopher Lee’s in the Hobbit as the voice of Smug that would be fine by me. Do I see it happening? No,
Goosebumps. Chris Lee > Ron Perlman. :)
It would be nice indeed.
I’d much rather see them go with someone who has not been a prominent character in the series already. Lee’s voice is great, but having him as Smaug and Saruman wouldn’t work for me. Don LaFontaine would be the perfect choice.
OK, maybe Ron Perlman or Sam Elliot if Don is too busy working on trailers…
Lee as Smaug, i like it.
I would love to hear Christopher Lee as the dragon cause with his voice it just sound s menacing and deep (and it would be kool to hear his voice coming out of a huge dragon.