Born to be a Wizard

Frightmeister Christopher Lee is over the moon to be in the Lord of the Rings Trilogy. Speaking to SFX magazine, Lee - who plays Saruman in the movie - explains, 'I've always said since first reading the three books, and I've always felt this, that I was born to be in it. And now I can say I am! I'm very happy. And Saruman, he's the head wizard. An enormously important role. Saruman goes over to the enemy, he's a Valar, an immortal, and if he'd have remained benevolent it would have been a very different story' Not only is Lee pleased with his own part, but he has a number of kind words to say about writer/director Peter Jackson efforts with the Trilogy. 'Well, I've only read the first one. But [Peter's] done a splendid job, to condense this colossal epic, as big as The Odyssey or The Illiad, to the point where you can make it and present it to the public. I think a very large number of people are very excited.'