Didn't want to put this in the news section, since nothing is official yet, but:
There is an article in the online version of The Sun, stating that Mr. Lee is in the running to take over the part of Professor Dumbledore, in the next Harry Potter film.
Apparently, Mr. Lee had been approached previously, but had turned down the part, being too busy at the time.
IF this should happen, this would be phenomenal news. Star Wars, The Lord Of The Rings, and Harry Potter. I think we would a most serious case of Lee-mania, eclipsing even the Hammer years.
http://www.thesun.co.uk/article/0,,2-20025...2500845,00.html
Wow!! that is amazing news.
Actually, as soon as I heard the sad news about Richard Harris, I thought that Mr Lee would be perfect to take over his role in the Harry Potter films, but I didn't say anything as people might have thought it was a bit insensitive so soon after the passing of Mr Harris.
I also think that Mr. Lee would make a great Dumbledore and the author J.K. Rowling of the books did discribed Dumbledore as a tall, thin, and very old , and that is Mr.Lee and I was surprised that they approched him in playing the role before Richard Harris and turned it down because he was busy with LOTR and Star Wars trilogys and I heard that Richard Harris turned it down too 3 times until he was given an ultimatum by his granddaughter changed his mind , and even Mr. Harris said that he got an ultimatum by his granddaughter saying that he had to play the role of Dumbledore in the first film or she'll never speak to him again , which I thought it was very mean thing to say to her grandfather really , and he wound up signing to do I think 3or4 Harry Potter movies but I'm not sure , I think it was only 3 Harry Potter movies that he signed on to do the charater of Dumbledore ,and he wound up only doing the first 2 Harry Potter Movies .
All the Best ,
Amy Maloney 
Quote:
You're not kidding! If this comes to pass it will be tremendous.
If Christopher Lee stars in Harry Potter I'll be very disappointed. Although Harry Potter may be a good film in other peoples eyes I think it's dreadful. Christopher Lee is a brilliant actor and to take a step back by appearing in another childrens film will be a disgrace. Lord of the Rings and Star Wars got him back in the public eye and I'm grateful to those films because of it. However, as a fan I'm not going to be happy if he appears in the Harry Potter film. Many people will disagree with my negative comments but that is my opinion and it will remain that way.
Quote:
Christopher Lee is a brilliant actor and to take a step back by appearing in another childrens film will be a disgrace.
I think that it would be a GIANT step forward in every sense.
On the contrary, a step backward would be the remake of TDRO and Ridding of the Laddie. That's just my personal opinion.
Mr. Carr, though the Harry Potter movies are not high cinema, as are some of Mr. Lee's films, somehow, I don't think he will choose to do any of them unless he finds an interesting reason to do so. He is at the point in his life and career where he can do as he likes. If he wants to do a project, and finds the character interesting, and has his own spin to put on it, then, I am VERY open to it.
If e does not, then, I am sure he has his own reasons. To say you would be disappointed if he were to choose to do those movies..
I don't know. I feel Mr. Lee certainly has more than EARNED the right to do as he damned well pleases and do whatever films and other work strike his fancy.
My own opinion is that the role of Dumbledore would be a departure from many of the roles we associate with him, but truth be told, so was the role of Jinnah. And when THAT film is finally seen EVERYWHERE< people will know that Mr. Lee is an actor of the first caliber. Perhaps, if he does take on Dumbledore, that will be another opportunity for him to get out there, do interviews, and be able to spread the word about Jinnah, and other work he has done that SHOULD get the exposure.
Though I wish things didn't work that way, they often do, and we may as well take advantage of the fact, and full speed ahead!
:throwupen :throwupen
Quote:
My own opinion is that the role of Dumbledore would be a departure from many of the roles we associate with him, but truth be told, so was the role of Jinnah. And when THAT film is finally seen EVERYWHERE< people will know that Mr. Lee is an actor of the first caliber. Perhaps, if he does take on Dumbledore, that will be another opportunity for him to get out there, do interviews, and be able to spread the word about Jinnah, and other work he has done that SHOULD get the exposure. :throwupen :throwupen
I agree with what you say as regards to Jinnah- BUT Jinnah is a fantastic film! How you can compare Harry Potter to this film is beyond me! Jinnah proved just how much of a phenomenal actor he is! It is his choice over what roles he wants to play and it is great that at his age he has the opportunity to do so. However I just think that there are better and more demanding films for him to do to show off his great acting calibre. PLEASE, does anybody agree with me?:frostyang
Quote:
However I just think that there are better and more demanding films for him to do to show off his great acting calibre.
You do have a point. Yes, there could be more demanding and better roles. It's also true that Jinnah cannot be compared with anything he has done previously or will be doing. What you have to understand is that an actor is only as good as the box office revenue from his last film. How many people have seen Jinnah? Most importantly, how many people would want to see it?
Mr Lee could have been spending the rest of his life doing films like "The Wicker Man", "Jinnah and "A Fest of Midnight" and hardly anyone would remember him. Great acting but that is about it.
Take one film AOTC and in terms of awareness and popularity, it has done more than the other 250+ put together. His best film? Doesn't matter, does it?
A role in Harry Potter would establish Mr Lee as one of the highest grossing actors of all time, certainly one of the most popular. That is very important, at least for him and to a certain degree for his fans. It would be a different role, he plays a goodie. Doesn't matter if he has already played enough goodies, everyone remembers him as a villain.
Why do you think all these DVDs are now being released? Because they are popular films? Not really, it is done to bank on Mr Lee's popularity. It's all about money.
Are Stallone, Harrison Ford or Schwarzenegger better actors than Mr Lee? Probably not but they are more popular, their films gross more money and everyone knows who they are. Everyone now knows who Mr Lee is and if they don't they will but it is not thanks to those very demanding roles.
Personally, I would love him to be in Harry Potter and if he is, he will make his mark once again. All that Mr Lee needs is half a chance, he has already turned a few dozen B Movies with low budgets into cults, give him a half important role in a popular film and he will stand out. You have the evidence in AOTC, it will be reinforced in TTT and he doesn't need much screen time neither.
Warner Bros could do worse than casting him in Harry Potter. One thing is for sure, they will not regret it and neither will the fans.
Quote:
Take one film AOTC and in terms of awareness and popularity, it has done more than the other 250+ put together. His best film? Doesn't matter, does it?
Okay. I hold my hands up. You are absolutely right(Unfortunately)
and starring in big budget blockbuster movies does give you recognition. I just wish that they were films worthy of his appearance.
Quote:
I just wish that they were films worthy of his appearance.
They are in the sense as he will reach millions of viewers. Between the three franchises, almost the whole planet. I don't think there is one actor who does not dream to be in the position that Mr Lee has been put in.
Of course, people will always bring the argument that he is too old. Before he was too tall, too foreign looking and he will just keep proving everyone wrong. He maybe 80, he doesn't look it and he doesn't feel it.
This whole issue that some of the press has brought up regarding age is ridiculous. Too old for Dumbledore? Richard Harris wasn't much younger when he took the role. Too old for Dooku? That's similiar to the how can Yoda fight debate. Guess a lot of people learned a lesson on that one, eh?
From what I've been able to see, Mr. Lee is in better health then many people half his age. Not to mention he's acting, not exactly being asked to jump off cliffs or perform martial arts stunts. Though from what I've heard, his Star Wars experience has been fairly challenging in that regard.
I think the Potter gig would be absolutely fantastic, for all the right reasons. Not to mention that with regard to the other projects, I believe the TDRO remake isn't happening anytime soon, if Joe Dante is still involved.Dante is currently doing a loony Tunes movie, so that shall take some time. As for Riding Of the Laddie, I suspect that Mr. Lee will somehow find a way to do it, no matter what. Now, I also would like for him to do The Last Unicorn, but if I were to choose between that and Potter, well, Potter wins by a landslide.
It gives Mr. Lee a great chance to finally be recognized by the general public for something other then villain roles. Children could actually have a Christopher Lee figure that won't be designed to scare. And with Dumbledore's increased presence later on in the series, Mr. Lee would give him a great sense of authority and stature and help get rid of the "gentle old wizard" image that the non book reading part of the audience seems to have of Dumbledore.
"Judge me by my size, would you? And well you should not!"
I wonder whether you Harry Potter critics have ever taken the time to READ one of Rowlings books? I didn't think much of the Potter craze until I read one to my children. I've now read all of them, and am looking forward to another installment. As for the film, I thought it was charming. (It reminded me of the women's college I attended years ago! 
)
I'd like to see Mr. Lee in all of these films, but the Potter movies will be shown for generations! Not a bad legacy.
Mr. Lee enjoys a variety of roles, please don't be such a dogmatic purist about the TYPE of movie he accepts!
IMHO,
Maria S.
Quote:
Christopher Lee is a brilliant actor and to take a step back by appearing in another childrens film will be a disgrace.
Those are some pretty strong words you're using. What's wrong with appearing in a children's film? You say 'disgrace' as there is something immoral about it.
Quote:
If he wants to do a project, and finds the character interesting, and has his own spin to put on it, then, I am VERY open to it. . . I don't know. I feel Mr. Lee certainly has more than EARNED the right to do as he damned well pleases and do whatever films and other work strike his fancy. . . My own opinion is that the role of Dumbledore would be a departure from many of the roles we associate with him, but truth be told, so was the role of Jinnah.
Exactly. But even more, I would think that the whole point of being an actor is to play all sorts of different roles in all sorts of different movies. To play a priest, a policeman, a criminal, a dictator, a drug addict -- to become many different characters. To be in a musical, a horror film, a romance, a slapstick comedy, a children's film -- to work in all genres.
Tha'ts the whole point to being an actor. . . to act.
Quote:
I just wish that they were films worthy of his appearance.
I'm sorry, I'm afraid I just don't understand your position. What do you have against these films? With all due respect, it appears as though you're equating them with pornography -- ie something low and 'unworthy.'
And, as far as 'unworthy' goes, please remember that there were -- and still are -- some people who consider SF/Fantasy and Horror as 'unworthy.'
Quote:
What's wrong with appearing in a children's film?
After appearing in films such as, Return to Witch Mountain and Mio in the Land of Faraway, I'd just like him to star in a more adult film than Harry Potter. Harry Potter is an excellent film for what it is but as a selfish fan who loves Christopher Lee starring in films like "The Wicker Man" and "Jinnah," I'd just much rather prefer him to be in a more poignant film. I'll still watch it and buy it on DVD if he did star in it, but he is 80 and while he is still acting I'd like him to make another film that reverts back to where he began. LOTR and AOTC have Christopher Lee giving brilliant performances, don't get me wrong and seeing him fighting Yoda with his light sabre was a great moment which will go down in screen history. However, I know that people don't really agree with my comments, but they are my opinions and I hope someone can understand where I'm coming from.
Quote:
What do you have against these films? With all due respect, it appears as though you're equating them with pornography
This website should be about people celebrating Christopher Lee's career-not just the last couple of years. I'm only 17 and I regard the films from the 50s-70s far superior to that of modern day. I'm in a world really where all my friends and other people of my age think that anything before 1990 is crap! As to say that I'm comparing Harry Potter to pornography is ridiculous!
Quote:
I'm only 17 and I regard the films from the 50s-70s far superior to that of modern day. I'm in a world really where all my friends and other people of my age think that anything before 1990 is crap!
Well I'm 26 and I also prefer older films (and TV), so you're certainly not alone and it doesn't really matter what other people think, all that matters is how you feel.
Quote:
After appearing in films such as, Return to Witch Mountain and Mio in the Land of Faraway, I'd just like him to star in a more adult film than Harry Potter. Harry Potter is an excellent film for what it is but as a selfish fan who loves Christopher Lee starring in films like "The Wicker Man" and "Jinnah," I'd just much rather prefer him to be in a more poignant film.
Mr Lee has been in 250+ films, I think he will star and do what he wishes. He's earned that right.
I honestly don't understand what the point is of wanting him not to be in that film. Personally, I think it is selfish and disrespectful. If you like pre-90 films, watch them and stop moaning and rubishing new films.
If you don't like it, don't watch it!!!
Quote:
No offense, but Mr. Lee shouldn't have a Monopoly on famous wizards, I think someone like Donald Sutherland would make a excellent Dumbledore
He doesn't have any Monopoly. If he is considered above another actor, it is because producers think he is a better choice. They pay the wages and make the decisions.
Here are the actors which are being considered in the order of chances. They NEED a big name and someone with enough expirerience to take over in spring.
CHRISTOPHER LEE: The commanding presence of the definitive Dracula, along with his impressive mane of silver-gray hair, definitely work in his favor.
After playing mythic baddies in "Lord of the Rings" and "Star Wars," perhaps he's ready to exit the Dark Side."
SEAN CONNERY: He has a voice that would certainly echo through the hallways at Hogwarts and he is good with gadgets after all those 007 films.
He also got all mystical on us already as King Arthur and he looked real good in those long robes.
MICHAEL CAINE: He was magical as Austin Powers' pop, plus he already presided over a school full of orphaned boys in "The Cider House Rules."
He's one of the hardest-working actors around, which is good because there are a lot of Potter books.
IAN McKELLEN: Yeah, we know that he's signed up for about 300 more "Lord of the Rings" films, but he's so kindly and knows about how to milk those abracadabra moments.
Couldn't he do double-duty?
...here I am again, in the middle of this debate!
First of all Mr. Carr: I never EVER said that the films of the Harry Potter franchise were of the same "quality" as Jinnah, or even the miniseries Gormenghast (a favorite of mine that I would dearly love to have for my very own on DVD along with the DVD player to play it with! :smilewink:) You misinterpreted my comments.
I intended my remarks to convey that Mr. Lee's appearance in films that garner a great deal of public attention will also garner him more attention, and, consequently, will win more attention to his OTHER work - which, obviously includes Jinnah. Kind of like robbing Peter to pay Paul - not the way we would like for the world to work, but, that is often how it DOES work.
In other words, people who go to see Attack of the Clones and The Lord of the Rings Trilogy and (if Mr. Lee is cast as Dumbledore) the subsequent Harry Potter movies might just find themselves as captivated by this fascinating man as so many of us ALREADY have, and decide to quest for more information and more films to watch featuring his performances. This sort of thing certainly could be the beginning of a new groundswell of support for a release of Jinnah some way or another, as well as a revival of The Wickerman and other of his more intriguing and somewhat less commercial (for lack of a better term) films.
As far as my own personal preferences are concerned, I feel that a film that is commercially successful does not necessarily HAVE to kowtow to the lowest common denominator. A commercially successful film can still be a work of art. We all assume too much in order to keep our own fragile world views intact. I felt that Mr. Lee's performance as Count Dooku in Attack of the Clones catapulted that film out of the b-movie doldrums into a film that at least had something of a more intricate story. That is what great acting does. It brings a character alive - no matter what movie the actor is in.
Star Wars II was better because Mr. Lee was in it. IMO. :devil:
As it is, there are several actors out there who are "qualified" to portray Professor Dumbledore. In the end, as Juan says, it will mostly have to do with how closely the f portrayal a particular actor would create could match what the people making the movie have already envisioned.
I do not envy these folks the job of recasting Professor Dumbledore.
Mr. Harris, rest in peace. :angel:
Well i guess it's official now. I Just read the news section.
Like Juan said in the news section: 3rd blockbuster in row.
Excellent. :1roll: