The Man with the Golden Gunwould have been my first real experience of Chris on the big screen.
Even though I understood a lot more about filmmaking by then, they didnt disappoint me in the slightest.
They remain a powerful part of my own past life.
Credit: Baron/Getty Images
Can you describe the initial conversations you had with him?
What qualities did he bring to the role?
He literally loomed out of the shadows and introduced himself to Fran and me.
Courtesy Everett Collection
He re-readThe Lord of the Ringsevery single year, and could freely quote vast chunks.
After shooting a few takes, he thanked us very graciously before disappearing back into the shadows.
Eventually we confirmed Ian for Gandalf and officially offered Chris the Saruman role.
Everett Collection
He was carrying some heavy scars ofDraculaof his own, and I felt it quite strongly.
Chris also let Ian McKellen know that he had really been hoping to play Gandalf.
For my part, Im as happy as hell to have made five Christopher Lee movies.
What was the experience like directing him on set?
Was there a favorite scene or moment of working with him?
The resulting wave of pure geek joy was almost overwhelming.
Universal Pictures/Courtesy Everett Collection
We were shooting Sarumans death forThe Return of the King.
First hes stabbed by Wormtongue, then he plummets from the tower.
We then started the camera rolling to film Saruman taking his final gasps.
Frank Micelotta/Getty Images
Im looking at the monitor thinking, My God, Im going to get away with this!
He hasnt said a thing!
I call action, and theres … nothing but silence.
Now, all the way down here in New Zealand, I look up and see Peter Jackson.
Then, without pause, he goes straight into his Saruman performance!
It doesnt get better than that!
You mentioned in yourFacebook tributethat he loved to regale you with stories when you would visit him in London.
Is there a particular favorite anecdote that you remember?
I loved my visits to Chris and Gitte (Birgit Gitte Krncke) in London best of all.
In return, he opened up with many wonderful Dracula and Peter Cushing stories.
On another visit, we were talking about1941late into the night.
It was the only movie he had made with Steven Spielberg.
Of course, he wont remember me, said Chris.
I told him that was nonsense.
Peter, it was a very, very long time ago.
I havent seen him for years!
So I grabbed my iPhone, and pointed the camera straight at him.
And what am I supposed to now…?
Im filming a video message from you to Steven, so just say hi.
I stalled by pleading for one last whack of her tasty firewater for the road I certainly wasnt driving!
I just said, Hey, Chris.
