In the upcoming animated film “The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim,” Christopher Lee makes an unexpected return as Saruman. Thanks to archival recordings, his distinctive voice will echo once again, without the use of artificial intelligence.
Saruman Returns in an Animated Middle-Earth Adventure
Slated for release on December 13, “The War of the Rohirrim” will be the first animated feature set in Middle-Earth, exploring events long before the quests of Frodo and Gandalf. This prequel will showcase the epic battles of Rohan and introduce Hèra, the first female heroine in Tolkien’s cinematic universe. Alongside new characters, Miranda Otto reprises her role as Éowyn, joined by a surprise appearance from Saruman, played by the late Christopher Lee, who passed away in 2015. Lee’s voice is brought back to life in this project through archival recordings, a creative solution that avoids the use of AI but raises some ethical questions.
A Restored Voice without AI
At New York Comic Con, producer Philippa Boyens, a long-time collaborator of Peter Jackson, described how Lee’s voice was incorporated into the project: unused recordings from the production of “The Hobbit: The Battle of the Five Armies” were used to recreate Saruman’s character. After failing to find a convincing impersonator, the team sought permission from Lady Gitte Lee, the actor’s widow, eventually opting for this respectful approach to the character. However, some point out that Lee himself did not have a say in this matter.
Cult Dialogue Adapted for Continuity
To integrate Lee’s dialogues into the screenplay, the creators modified a line from “The Battle of the Five Armies,” in which Saruman asks Galadriel: Do you require assistance, my Lady?
After numerous listens, this line was reworked to blend seamlessly into the plot of “The War of the Rohirrim”, allowing Saruman’s character to naturally fit into this new production.
A Tribute to Christopher Lee
This decision to preserve the authenticity of Lee’s performance is part of the producers’ intention to honor the actor and respect his masterful portrayal of Saruman. What do you think of this idea and approach? Do you find it acceptable to use the voice and image of deceased artists on projects they might not have approved of?