Online fans demand Saruman's return

More than 23,000 Lord of the Rings fans have flooded to a website campaigning for actor Christopher Lee to be reinstated to the final part of the trilogy. Director Peter Jackson has allegedly cut the veteran star's part as evil wizard Samuran from third flick The Return of the King. The 81-year old actor said he had expected to appear in seven minutes' worth of scenes including a battle between Samuran and Gandalf, played by Sir Ian McKellen. An online petition states: "I know it may not seem like it now, but I believe this cut will hurt The Return of the King. Please Peter Jackson, at least consider putting this scene back into the theatrical version, and give us Saruman fans/haters some much needed closure." So far 23,428 fans have signed the petition. One angry fan said: "It would not be the complete story without this scene. And despite doing an excellent job on the first two movies, Peter Jackson would be doing all movie lovers and future film makers a disservice by not showing this scene in the theatrical film." Lee's scenes are expected to feature in an extended DVD version of the film. The Return of the King is due at UK cinemas on 17 December 2003. To find out more about the petition, click here. Get Web User magazine every fortnight - subscribe here now