Chris lee and his role as Saruman.

[Boromir88]

Chris Lee was the only LOTR actor to meet Tolkien in person. Chris Lee told Tolkien if they ever made a movie based on the books he wanted to play Gandalf. So, I was wondering two things, how did Chris Lee end up playing Saruman? And what if Chris Lee got his desire and was cast as Gandalf?

How did Chris Lee end up playing Saruman? The only thing I can come up with is, Chris Lee had such a great voice in these movies, very powerful and intimidating. The fact that Saruman was known for "power" and having a persuasive voice, making him fit for the role of Saruman. If there are any other reasons people can come up with, please post them.

What if Chris Lee was Cast as Gandalf? This could just be me but I can not imagine anyone being Gandalf except Ian Mckellan. Even such a great actor as Lee, I just don't see him fit for the Gandalf role.

[Son of Númenor]

I think your answer to the second question answers the first as well. Obviously, Christopher Lee wanted to be in the movies, and who would turn down such a talented actor with such devotion to the material? It became apparent to Peter Jackson at some point during casting, if indeed it wasn't apparent from the start, that Lee's credentials, appearance and acting style made him far better suited to play Saruman than Gandalf. McKellen has a warmer demeanour and a seemingly humbler disposition than Lee, who is the master of playing the Cold, Well-Spoken & Cunning Villain. (Well, actually, he shares the honour with Jeremy Irons.) Although it is interesting to note that another actor originally chosen to play Gandalf was done away with a few days into shooting, McKellen was the obvious best choice (in the opinion of the majority, if I may speak on their behalf).

[Gorwingel]

Actually the true reason that Christopher played Saruman and not Gandalf (and I have heard him talk about this many times) was because they both agreed that he was too old, and that they needed a younger actor to play a character who is so incredibly active. Christopher Lee is actually 82 years old, and Ian is in his sixties. Mr. Lee would have most definitely have played Gandalf if the film would have been made years earlier. Though I don't think that Tolkien would have had a problem with the amazing performance that Sir Ian gave (In my opinion he didn't just play Gandalf, he became Gandalf )

[The Only Real Estel]

What if Chris Lee was Cast as Gandalf? This could just be me but I can not imagine anyone being Gandalf except Ian Mckellan. Even such a great actor as Lee, I just don't see him fit for the Gandalf role.

Well, I know I can't imagine anyone else playing Gandalf than Sir Ian, but if Christopher Lee had played him, then it be the exact opposite, as it usually is with just about everyone .
Still, I think McKellan was the best actor for the role, Son of Numenor said it well when discribing Lee's ideal role:

Lee...who is the master of playing the Cold, Well-Spoken & Cunning Villain.

Lee was in his element when he was playing Saruman, the character played well to his strongest traits, much more so than Gandalf would have. I have no doubt that, given his talent, Lee could've still made a decent Gandalf, but McKellan was simply the best choice for the role. As Gorwingel brought up, Ian was much more suited for the wizard because of his age, but his voice was also so well-suited for it. Lee's voice just isn't quite Gandalf, if you know what I mean, I think he would still be off even with his best effort.

[Boromir88]

Yes, Chris Lee does have that Saruman type voice, really not fit for Gandalf. Son of Numenor pointed out Chris Lee's talents as a villain, many of the movies Lee was in he was the villain. I mean Dracula, The Gremlins (2nd movie), and Star Wars Episode 2, are the movies that come to mind where Lee has played sort of that bad guy character. I can't really describe Lee's voice, it is slow and powerful, just really the perfect voice for Saruman, as Saruman was known for his ability to persuade. Gandalf, had more leadership qualities to him, it stated in ROTK, during the "Siege of Gondor" whenever Gandalf was around the hearts of men rose. Where Saruman, was more of a persuader, he had power and emphasis in his words to "poison" people's minds. Lee really brought out Saruman's character, as well as Sir Ian did with Gandalf's.

[The Only Real Estel]

Gandalf, had more leadership qualities to him, it stated in ROTK, during the "Siege of Gondor" whenever Gandalf was around the hearts of men rose. Where Saruman, was more of a persuader, he had power and emphasis in his words to "poison" people's minds.

Another point on Lee's voice:

I think Ian had much more of a voice for Gandalf in the sense that he sounded inspiring, whereas Mr. Lee's voice is much more monotone. Of course he could change it somewhat if he was cast for Gandalf, but I'm guessing it'd still sound a little to monotone to really sound inspirational.

[Lobelia]

Originally Posted by Boromir88

Yes, Chris Lee does have that Saruman type voice, really not fit for Gandalf. Son of Numenor pointed out Chris Lee's talents as a villain, many of the movies Lee was in he was the villain. I mean Dracula, The Gremlins (2nd movie), and Star Wars Episode 2, are the movies that come to mind where Lee has played sort of that bad guy character. I can't really describe Lee's voice, it is slow and powerful, just really the perfect voice for Saruman, as Saruman was known for his ability to persuade. Gandalf, had more leadership qualities to him, it stated in ROTK, during the "Siege of Gondor" whenever Gandalf was around the hearts of men rose. Where Saruman, was more of a persuader, he had power and emphasis in his words to "poison" people's minds. Lee really brought out Saruman's character, as well as Sir Ian did with Gandalf's.

Christopher Lee may be a great villain, but he is quite capable of doing warm, endearing roles as well. I've seen him play a wonderful, twinkle-eyed wizard in an otherwise awful TV series about Robin Hood and, in the Tolkien Ensemble's CD At Dawn In Rivendell, he is a superb Treebeard, far better, dare I say, than John Rhys-Davies, delightful as he was in the films.

[Lady Gamgee]

I'd have to say that you have the right answer, Boromir88. Lee's voice is so strong & deep that I can't see him playing anyone but Saruman. He took that character & made it his own. His voice, to me, has this sort of haunting sound in it. Not evil or anything like that, it just fits the part of Saruman perfectly. He nailed that role. Nobody could've played it any better.

[ninlaith]

Yeah it is hard to see Mr. Lee playing anyone else. I saw him in Star Wars attack of the clones and I couldn't help but hear and see Saruman the whole time. The only difference was his costume.

[Lady Gamgee]

I remember that part in Star Wars. Another good role for him. Does anyone remember the animated movie "The Last Unicorn" from, I think it was 1982? Christopher Lee was the voice for the evil lord who had the Red Bull run all the unicorns in the sea. It's weird I guess, but his voice is perfect for those mean, tough roles in movies.

[ninlaith]

That was my favourite movie as a kid and I never knew that!! You mean the one where Alan Arkin does the voice of Schmendrik? He must have been King Haggard! I never even noticed!

[Lady Gamgee]

Originally Posted by ninlaith

That was my favourite movie as a kid and I never knew that!! You mean the one where Alan Arkin does the voice of Schmendrik? He must have been King Haggard! I never even noticed!

Yep, that's it. I found the DVD of this movie at Wal-Mart last week & had to buy it. I believe that's the movie that got me started on all this fantasy stuff that I love But yeah, he does the voice of King Haggard ... I didn't know it either until I was reading the credits at the beginning of the movie.