Christopher Lee Voices Saruman in "The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim" Animated Film
Christopher Lee, a name that resonates with power and gravitas in cinema, will once again lend his voice to the character of Saruman in the highly anticipated animated film The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim. Fans of Tolkien's world will be thrilled to hear the iconic voice of Lee, who originally brought Saruman to life in The Lord of the Rings and The Hobbit trilogies. Although Lee passed away in 2015, Warner Bros. has confirmed that previously unreleased recordings of his voice will be used to bring the character back, creating a deep sense of continuity and authenticity for fans.
Producer Philippa Boyens, a longtime collaborator with director Peter Jackson on the Middle-earth films, shared insights into the decision. "It was an emotional journey. We approached Lady Gitte Lee, Christopher’s widow, who, although no longer with us, expressed that Sir Christopher would have wanted this," Boyens said. She explained that with Lady Lee's permission, the team was able to access archival recordings from The Hobbit that captured Lee’s distinct portrayal of Saruman.
These recordings, Boyens shared, did more than just add continuity; they provided the production team with a sense of journeying back in time. "I felt like I was there with him again. Hearing him speak his lines and even some unused dialogue we recorded during The Hobbit sessions brought back a flood of memories," Boyens reflected. She explained that the team spent hours listening to these recordings, ultimately choosing phrases that conveyed Saruman’s enigmatic nature and charisma.
One memorable phrase from The Hobbit, "You seek help, my lady?", was modified for different contexts within the animated story to match Saruman’s cryptic and authoritative tone. According to Boyens, they reviewed countless takes to select moments that fit seamlessly into War of the Rohirrim, ensuring that Lee’s portrayal resonated with his original interpretation.
"There were certainly moments when we doubted if we’d be able to do it," Boyens admitted. "We even auditioned other actors as a precaution, but nothing matched the authenticity and weight Christopher brought to the role. Some may argue that plenty of people could mimic his voice, but I don’t think so. This character was his."
Fans won’t have to wait long to experience Lee’s voice in The Lord of the Rings: War of the Rohirrim, which is set to be released by Warner Bros. on December 12, 2024. The animated film will explore the legendary story of Helm Hammerhand, the renowned king of Rohan, adding another rich chapter to Tolkien’s beloved universe. Though not strictly based on J.R.R. Tolkien’s original writings, the film promises a mix of lore and cinematic vision that aims to capture the essence of Middle-earth, now with the iconic voice of Saruman once more guiding its shadows.