- "I knew that I needed someone who could convey evil. But in addition, I needed someone to bring stature, strength, and wisdom to the role. There was no doubt in my mind that Christopher Lee was the right person."
- ―George Lucas, on casting Christopher Lee as Count Dooku
Sir Christopher Frank Carandini Lee, CBE, CStJ (May 27, 1922 – June 7, 2015) was the actor who played Count Dooku or Darth Tyranus in Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones and Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith, and performed the same character's voice in the Star Wars: The Clone Wars film.
Lee was best known for his work in horror films produced by Hammer Studios. These films often had him collaborating with his good friend Peter Cushing, who played Grand Moff Tarkin in Star Wars: Episode IV A New Hope.[4] He has also appeared as Francisco Scaramanga, the primary villain in the Roger Moore James Bond film The Man With the Golden Gun. He also played the wizard Saruman in The Lord of the Rings trilogy.[5] On June 13, 2009, Lee was knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours List.[6]
Biography[]
Sir Christopher Lee portrayed the Serennian, Count Dooku in Episode II Attack of the Clones[7] and Episode III Revenge of the Sith.[8] While Lee, was an accomplished swordfighter, the stunt actor Kyle Rowling performed the most intense footwork of Lee's character, Dooku. As Lee couldn't perform it due to his advanced age while filming the movies. Rowling's face was later replaced with Sir Christopher Lee's during post-production.[source?] Lee returned to his role as Dooku in the animated film Star Wars: The Clone Wars, doing the voice of Count Dooku.[9]
Sir Christopher Lee died at the age of 93 on June 7, 2015, after being hospitalized for respiratory problems from heart failure.[2]
Legacy[]
His niece, Harriet Walter, appeared in Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens as Doctor Harter Kalonia.[10]
Works[]
Year | Title | Contribution | Notes |
---|---|---|---|
2002 | Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones | Count Dooku | |
2005 | Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith | ||
2008 | Star Wars: The Clone Wars | ||
2017 | Attack of the Clones Read-Along Storybook and CD | Movie audio recording | |
2019 | Star Wars Galaxy of Adventures – Yoda vs Count Dooku – Size Matters Not |
Sources[]
- "A Look at Peter Cushing" — Star Wars Insider 24
- "Peter Cushing: Charming to the Last" — Star Wars Insider 37
- In Dooku's Own Words — Homing Beacon #85 on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Making it Count on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Christopher Lee Summons the Force on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Casting Update: Christopher Lee on StarWars.com (content now obsolete; backup link)
- Star Wars Insider 51
- "Star Sightings" — Star Wars Insider 56
- Star Wars Insider 72
- Star Wars in 100 Scenes
- Sir Christopher Lee Passes Away on StarWars.com (backup link)
- "Launch Pad" — Star Wars Insider 159
- "50 Things to Notice in Star Wars: The Force Awakens" — Star Wars Insider 165
- "Launchpad" — Star Wars Insider 181
- Star Wars: The Lightsaber Collection
- "Adventures in the Audiosphere" — Star Wars Insider 201
- Star Wars: The Skywalker Saga – The Official Collector's Edition
- Clones at 20 | Concept Artist Roel Robles on the Design Origins of Count Dooku's Unique Lightsaber Hilt on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Clones at 20 | Rob Coleman on Bringing Yoda, Dexter Jettster, and More to Digital Life on StarWars.com (backup link)
- Cavan Scott on the Ghoulactic Horrors of Tales from the Death Star on StarWars.com (backup link)
Notes and references[]
- ↑ This Week! in Star Wars A Look At Jedi Temple Challenge, Anniversary Celebrations, and More! on the official Star Wars YouTube channel (backup link)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Sir Christopher Lee dies at 93 - latest reaction and tributes by Singh, Anita on The Telegraph (June 11, 2015) (archived from the original on March 16, 2020)
- ↑ Rigby, Jonathan. "Foreword". Christopher Lee: The Authorized Screen History. Reynolds & Hearn, 2001. ISBN 1903111110.
- ↑ Star Wars Interview Christopher Lee (Count Dooku) on Peter Cushing (Tarkin) on the Mike magic YouTube channel: "This wonderful name, Grand Moff Tarkin." (backup link)
- ↑ The Total Film Interview - Christopher Lee on Total Film (May 1, 2005) (archived from the original on June 12, 2007)
- ↑ Veteran horror actor Lee knighted on news.bbc.co.uk (June 12, 2009) (archived from the original on April 6, 2019)
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode II Attack of the Clones
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode III Revenge of the Sith
- ↑ Star Wars: The Clone Wars
- ↑ Star Wars: Episode VII The Force Awakens