6 Most Unusual Demands Made By The Lord Of The Rings Actors
1. Christopher Lee Demanded A Rewrite Of His Murder
Veteran actor - and former soldier - Christopher Lee played the evil wizard Saruman in the trilogy. Much has been said about his removal from the theatrical release of The Return Of The King, though thankfully his scenes were restored for the Extended Editions. This included a crucial scene - his murder.
With the excising of the Scouring Of The Shire chapter from the book, Saruman was to be stabbed in the back by Wormtongue, atop Orthanc. Filming commenced, but Lee quickly demanded a change to the script.
In the written version, Saruman would cry out in pain when Wormtongue plunged the knife into his back. Lee asked Peter Jackson if the director actually knew what sound a man made when being stabbed from behind. Slightly apprehensively, Jackson said that he didn't. Lee confirmed that he, in fact, did know. As Lee said - when the knife penetrated the lung, all air would be forced out, so there could be no cry, merely a gasp.
Jackson, thoroughly spooked, allowed the change in the script and the scene exists as Lee intended in the complete version of The Return Of The King.