Christopher Lee has been CUT from ROTK!
11-11-03 | 04:38 PM
#27
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by Eric F
He has a big role at the end of the third book.
He has a big role at the end of the third book.
11-11-03 | 04:39 PM
#28
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11-11-03 | 05:58 PM
#30
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From: A far green country
Originally posted by Inverse
Kaffe_02: The petition to protest this is here....
http://www.petitiononline.com/smanrotk/
Kaffe_02: The petition to protest this is here....
http://www.petitiononline.com/smanrotk/
11-11-03 | 09:07 PM
#33
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Actually Robo, AICN quoted PJ on Friday as saying he's still working on the movie and there was a week to go:
http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=16462
Yes, it's true it's unlikely a petition will force a change at this late date, but if nothing else it's a gesture of support for Christopher Lee, who is seeing what should be a climactic moment in his career evaporate. (He's no longer in the credits, he's not going to the premiere, etc.)
http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=16462
Yes, it's true it's unlikely a petition will force a change at this late date, but if nothing else it's a gesture of support for Christopher Lee, who is seeing what should be a climactic moment in his career evaporate. (He's no longer in the credits, he's not going to the premiere, etc.)
Last edited by Inverse; 11-11-03 at 09:13 PM.
11-11-03 | 10:54 PM
#34
DVD Talk Legend
Originally posted by Inverse
Actually Robo, AICN quoted PJ on Friday as saying he's still working on the movie and there was a week to go:
http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=16462
Yes, it's true it's unlikely a petition will force a change at this late date, but if nothing else it's a gesture of support for Christopher Lee, who is seeing what should be a climactic moment in his career evaporate. (He's no longer in the credits, he's not going to the premiere, etc.)
Actually Robo, AICN quoted PJ on Friday as saying he's still working on the movie and there was a week to go:
http://www.aint-it-cool-news.com/display.cgi?id=16462
Yes, it's true it's unlikely a petition will force a change at this late date, but if nothing else it's a gesture of support for Christopher Lee, who is seeing what should be a climactic moment in his career evaporate. (He's no longer in the credits, he's not going to the premiere, etc.)
If this is true, it's sad that Christopher Lee will not have his big moment. Not only is Lee a great Saurman, he's a huge fan of Middle-Earth in general. I always thought that being in both LOTR and the Star Wars prequels was an incredible way to cap an incredible career. Now it seems he's getting screwed right at the end.
And I'm sure if people thought anyone would screw him, it would be lucas.
PJ has been worshipped (with good reason, for the most part) for his treatment of these films. If he's going to sacrifice the downfall of a major villian and the finale of a decades long film career for the sake of keeping a few extra shots of CGI oliphants and swarming orcs, he's making a big mistake. He even said himself that Sauruman had to assume a bigger role as a villian because Sauron is nothing but a flaming eyeball, and there's not much he can do with that.
11-11-03 | 11:10 PM
#35
DVD Talk Legend
Well, a thought just crossed my mind on how this might actually work.
Early in the film, Theoden, Gandalf, and Aragorn could be having a council, and Theoden could say something about the threat of Isengard. Gandalf could then reply that Saurman has been rendered powerless by the Ents, and will trouble us no more. As long as Saurman is powerless, it doesn't really matter what happens to him. He had no impact on the Minas Tirith storyline. Merry and Pippin will probably just find the palantir in the flotsam and jetsam of Isengard.
Of course, this fails to explain how M&P rejoin the rest of the fellowship.
Hardly satisfying for the serious fan, but at least it tells the audience he's safely out of the story, and it's better than nothing.
Early in the film, Theoden, Gandalf, and Aragorn could be having a council, and Theoden could say something about the threat of Isengard. Gandalf could then reply that Saurman has been rendered powerless by the Ents, and will trouble us no more. As long as Saurman is powerless, it doesn't really matter what happens to him. He had no impact on the Minas Tirith storyline. Merry and Pippin will probably just find the palantir in the flotsam and jetsam of Isengard.
Of course, this fails to explain how M&P rejoin the rest of the fellowship.
Hardly satisfying for the serious fan, but at least it tells the audience he's safely out of the story, and it's better than nothing.
11-11-03 | 11:47 PM
#36
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
My complaint is that P.J. stated that there wasn't enough material in the Two Towers (the book) to fill a movie, so he had to pad things out (Aragorn's drowning, Dream sequences of Elrond/Arwen, etc), but then he goes and cuts out large parts of the book that are important (the Voice of Saruman and Palantir chapters, etc), and doesn't bother adding those things to the third movie.
I'm sorry, but that is lame. This is truly "Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings", and not Tolkiens.
I'm sorry, but that is lame. This is truly "Peter Jackson's Lord of the Rings", and not Tolkiens.
11-11-03 | 11:53 PM
#37
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Originally posted by Inverse
Kaffe_02: The petition to protest this is here....
http://www.petitiononline.com/smanrotk/
Kaffe_02: The petition to protest this is here....
http://www.petitiononline.com/smanrotk/
11-12-03 | 12:14 AM
#38
DVD Talk Hero
I just say wait to see how it's handled first.
I mean, it's kind of stupid to assume that because that scene isn't in the theaterical cut that his character will just mysteriously disappear. It'll either be mentioned or perhaps a shorter version (the original sequence is 7 minutes long) will be shown at the beginning. I'm sure they'll find some work around, I'll withhold judgement til I see it, but it'd suck if Lee isn't in the movie at all - flashback or otherwise - he just deserves this appearance.
But at least there's always the EE.
-Rich
I mean, it's kind of stupid to assume that because that scene isn't in the theaterical cut that his character will just mysteriously disappear. It'll either be mentioned or perhaps a shorter version (the original sequence is 7 minutes long) will be shown at the beginning. I'm sure they'll find some work around, I'll withhold judgement til I see it, but it'd suck if Lee isn't in the movie at all - flashback or otherwise - he just deserves this appearance.
But at least there's always the EE.
-Rich
11-12-03 | 11:41 AM
#39
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
For some reason this doesn't bother me. Never thought much of the villians in the LOTR films anyway, as they never really do anything. You rarely if ever see them. Saruman has all of maybe 10 minutes in both films so far, if that. Sauron is not even a human being. He's a ghost that manifests itself as a big fire eyeball.
We'll see how it works out.
We'll see how it works out.
11-12-03 | 12:09 PM
#40
DVD Talk Hero
I agree that it is unfortunate this was left out of TTT, when that film had so much unnecessary padding. Saruman could've been dealt with at the end of that film, instead of the pointless Aragorn "death" scene. It also would've given closure to Wormtongue's arc begun earlier in the film.
Also, it's a pretty shitty thing to do to Lee.
From a storyline perspective, the Isengard scenes seem pretty important, too. It serves to bring Merry and Pippin back into the mix, and brings the Palantir into Gandalf's possession.
First really big black eye on the series.
Also, it's a pretty shitty thing to do to Lee.
From a storyline perspective, the Isengard scenes seem pretty important, too. It serves to bring Merry and Pippin back into the mix, and brings the Palantir into Gandalf's possession.
First really big black eye on the series.
11-12-03 | 12:25 PM
#41
DVD Talk Legend
The palantir bit will bother me. Surely Saruman wouldn't leave such an important thing lying around.
11-12-03 | 04:04 PM
#42
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From: Surrounded by idiots...
I don't like this idea, but I guess I can imagine that Saruman died during the Ent battle, even though I've read the books and know better.
It doesn't affect my life one way or the other.
It doesn't affect my life one way or the other.
11-12-03 | 04:28 PM
#43
DVD Talk Platinum Edition
As far as I'm concerned, it's irrelevent. I consider the EE versions the "true" versions, anyway. The TE is just a compromised preview of the true version.
11-13-03 | 09:16 AM
#46
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From: South Shore Massachusetts
Gandalf and crew will still travel to Isengard and get Merry and Pippin and get the Palantir, they just won't be getting the Palantir from Wormtongue throwing it anymore.
11-13-03 | 10:05 AM
#47
DVD Talk Ultimate Edition
Saruman speaks!
from the imdb
from the imdb
Christopher Lee Cut from 'Return of the King'
Lord Of The Rings actor Christopher Lee is fuming after discovering all of his scenes have been cut from the third and final fantasy epic. The 81-year-old, who plays Saruman in the first two Lord Of The Rings films, says he was "shocked" and mystified by his exclusion from The Return Of The King - which hits cinemas worldwide next month - and has vowed to boycott the star-studded premieres. Lee says, "The only reason I'm able to say this is because it was on the internet and has been for some days. I only heard recently. As far as I'm concerned, I'm only telling you this because it has been revealed on the internet, someone has talked and it certainly wasn't me. Of course I am very shocked, that's all I can say. If you want to know why you would have to ask the company New Line or director Peter Jackson and his associates because I still don't really know why. I can't say any more because I signed a confidentiality agreement and I honored my word." And after being asked if he planned to attend any of the premieres, Lee snapped back, "No, what's the point? What's the point of going? None at all."
Lord Of The Rings actor Christopher Lee is fuming after discovering all of his scenes have been cut from the third and final fantasy epic. The 81-year-old, who plays Saruman in the first two Lord Of The Rings films, says he was "shocked" and mystified by his exclusion from The Return Of The King - which hits cinemas worldwide next month - and has vowed to boycott the star-studded premieres. Lee says, "The only reason I'm able to say this is because it was on the internet and has been for some days. I only heard recently. As far as I'm concerned, I'm only telling you this because it has been revealed on the internet, someone has talked and it certainly wasn't me. Of course I am very shocked, that's all I can say. If you want to know why you would have to ask the company New Line or director Peter Jackson and his associates because I still don't really know why. I can't say any more because I signed a confidentiality agreement and I honored my word." And after being asked if he planned to attend any of the premieres, Lee snapped back, "No, what's the point? What's the point of going? None at all."
11-13-03 | 10:30 AM
#48
DVD Talk Legend
Well.. I would say "What a baby.." but if he's not in the movie, what IS the point? I think more than anything, it's not a question of Saruman being cut from the movie more than Chistopher Lee is the closest to Middle Earth than ANY of the people invovled in the movie, save for maybe Alan Lee. I'm sure this hits him more than just "being taken out of the movie" but being taken out of the world he's loved for many, many decades. If I remember on the commentary, John Rhys-Davies mentions that Chris actually had Tolkien's consent to play Gandalf if a movie version was ever made.
11-13-03 | 10:47 AM
#49
Moderator
Originally posted by Ted The Bug
Gandalf and crew will still travel to Isengard and get Merry and Pippin and get the Palantir, they just won't be getting the Palantir from Wormtongue throwing it anymore.
Gandalf and crew will still travel to Isengard and get Merry and Pippin and get the Palantir, they just won't be getting the Palantir from Wormtongue throwing it anymore.
Spoiler:
11-13-03 | 11:58 AM
#50
DVD Talk Hall of Fame
Originally posted by Giles
hey ted (or anyone for that matter) can you refresh my memory on this scene from the book. As I understand it the filmed version of this scene
hey ted (or anyone for that matter) can you refresh my memory on this scene from the book. As I understand it the filmed version of this scene
Spoiler:
Spoiler: