 When Christopher Lee (I) (qv) and J.R.R. Tolkien (qv) were in  correspondence, Tolkien gave Lee his blessing to play Gandalf if  there ever was a film version of Lord of the Rings. Years later, Lee  campaigned for the part of Gandalf in this production, but was  offered the part of Saurman instead. Lee, who wanted to participate  in the project anyway he could, accepted the role of Saruman.