Christopher Lee

[Balrog_of_Morgoth]

Could Christopher Lee have played Gandalf? I think he could have done very well, and I'd love to hear Lee's voice talking Gandalf's parts. I'm not sure who they could have cast that could convincingly play Saruman and seem greater than Lee would as Gandalf.

I'm not sure Lee could look kindly and caring. He is so fell looking. (to use a Tolkien adjective)

[Bombadillo]

Perhaps he could have played Gandalf, but in reality I don't think they could find a good replacement for Saruman. He has the perfect voice. I think as I read I may have unconciously pictured his voice as Saruman, before I even saw the movies.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

I'm sure they could have found someone else.

I must admit I'm quite torn. As Lee wanted to play Gandalf, and indeed had the blessing of Tolkien to play him if the opportunity should arise, I partially want him to have palyed Gandalf. Also, it would have been great to actually see him as a good guy. On the other hand, he was a spectacular Saruman, absolutely spectacular. Of course, he did appear to be rather evil even before he showed his true colours (pardon the pun), but still he was a great Saruman, overall.

[Anglorfin]

I can't imagine a better Saruman. I thought Lee was excellently cast. And in general he seems to fit into bad guy roles relatively easy because of his long expression and that voice, . . .it's so right for Saruman.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Neither can I. Hence my turmoil. :(

[WhackoJacko]

nah, i would have loved to see Chris Lee as gandalf and Sean Connery as saruman. with that 007 voice lol

i think they blended Lee's voice when they first showed Gandalf and Aragorn in the TTT.

whatshisname was better in X-men than he was as Gandalf. Mckellen should have played whatshisname King of Rohan lol, mental block or what?

and Sean Bean as both Boromir and Faramir. His acting carried the FOTR and is wasted for the rest

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Somehow, I can't see Sean Connery as evil...:eek: Though it would have been interesting, indeed. :D

Indeed they did.

I agree, I thought Ian McKellen gave a great performance there. I didn't especially like his Gandalf, though. I thought that Theoden was too young-looking. It seemed to me that he should have been older...

Yeah, now THAT would have been cool. Didn't Faramir and Boromir look a lot alike?

[gimli7410]

i could only see sean connery evil if he was holding a gun or some bombs.. not a staff.

[Lalaith]

I think Christopher Lee was the best choice for the corrupt evil wizard. Just as Ian McKellen looks like an old, good wizard.

[barrelrider110]

I've thought all along that Lee would have made a better Gandalf than McKellen. He did play a great Saruman. He was always typecast in the role of the villain. too bad.

[Dreran the Green]

I liked Christopher Lee as SARUMAUN. NOT Gandalf!
I agree that he makes a wonderful wizard, just not Gandalf. Whether or not he would have made a good 'good wizard', he's just not the Gandalf type.
However, had Rhadagast (probably spelled wrong, forgive me) been in the movies, I think HE could have been played by either Christopher Lee or Sean Connery

[Bombadillo]

Haha... you're probably right. I'm picturing Sean Conerry saying "I'm Radagast the Brown." That makes me laugh, but he probably would have made a great Radagast.

[Dreran the Green]

Hee hee, I just had this amusing image of Gandalf talking to James Bond with a long brown beard.

........Yeah, I think he would have been a good Rhadagast too, though. It really upset me that they didn't put him in the first movie. They had an excellent actor in Sean Connery.

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Originally posted by barrelrider110
He did play a great Saruman. He was always typecast in the role of the villain.

Erm...typecast? Isn't that where they cast someone into a role which fits who they are in actual life? :eek:

[Dreran the Green]

Heh heh, this just goes along with my theory that Christopher Lee is secretly ruling the media (Have you ever noticed that the man is EVERYWHERE??? scary!:eek: )

[Elvengirl]

Originally posted by Gwaimir Windgem
Erm...typecast? Isn't that where they cast someone into a role which fits who they are in actual life? :eek:
from dictionary-
typecast- to cast an actor or actress in a part calling for the same characteristics as those possessed by the performer.

To me, McKellen was Gandalf and Lee was Saruman. I cannot picture anyone but them in the roles.
But, I feel the same, Gwamir, about Lee, as he wanted the role of Gandalf and had Tolkien's blessing. But as I said I cannot picture any other Gandalf.

[WhackoJacko]

where the heck does radagast come from?? he has absolutely no role in LOTR par the errand boy

Sean Connery: Grima my faith servant, witness the power of Orthanc

Grima: Shaken not stirred my Lord :D

[Gwaimir Windgem]

Direct role, perhaps...

[Wayfarer]

Christopher Lee was the one actor out of all these films who I have the most respect for. He was a true fan of tolkien who gave the best performance he could.

Given that, as well as Tolkien's desire that he play Gandalf, I would have cast Lee in that role and McKellan as Saruman. Has anyone forgotten that he performed quite well as a villain in his last previous role, as Magneto?

[Entlover]

Sean Connery reminds me too much of the dragon Smaug -- but that was that cowboy actor, wasn't it -- Paladin, I think.- Have Gun, Will Travel.

[Dreran the Green]

Originally posted by Wayfarer
Christopher Lee was the one actor out of all these films who I have the most respect for. He was a true fan of tolkien who gave the best performance he could.

Given that, as well as Tolkien's desire that he play Gandalf, I would have cast Lee in that role and McKellan as Saruman. Has anyone forgotten that he performed quite well as a villain in his last previous role, as Magneto?


Okay, McKellan could have made a good Sarumaun, it's quite true that he does the villain thing very well. But I just CAN'T see Lee as Gandalf, Tolkien's blessing or no. I wonder if Tolkien ever met McKellen???

However, if McKellen wasn't going to be in LotR at all, then MAYBE I can see Lee as the next best thing...but then who could they get to appear in the more powerful role as Sarumaun??

[Sheeana]

*sniff* I don't care what you say, Lee will always be a crappy b-grade actor.

[Indril Anarion]

I think there is no better part for Lee than Saruman...he plays it very well...

[Wayfarer]

*sniff* I don't care what you say, Lee will always be a crappy b-grade actor. So you agree he was cast perfectly, right? ;)

[Sheeana]

Exactly. ;)