Christopher Lee, who plays the evil wizard Saruman in Peter Jackson's upcoming The Lord of the Rings movie trilogy, told the London Sunday Times that his role is about power. "The point is, power corrupts," Lee said. "Absolute power corrupts absolutely--famous phrase--and that's what happens to him. [Saruman]'s meant to be the white wizard, but it comes out that he's gone to the dark side. That's all in the book. That's all in the film. And that's all I can tell you." The films are based on J.R.R. Tolkien's trilogy of novels of the same name.

Lee added, "[Saruman]'s more than just a wizard. They are immortals. But they are human-shaped. They're called the Istari. ... They are Maiar. They are sent by the Valar, who are the creators, to Middle Earth. There are three wizards to concern yourself with, and I am No. 1, the most powerful, the most brilliant, the one of the greatest strength: Saruman the White."