Lord of Rings director cuts wizard scenes

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LONDON, Nov. 12 (UPI) -- Actor Christopher Lee says he's shocked to learn his key scenes have been cut from the third Lord of the Rings movie by director Peter Jackson.

The 81-year-old Lee, who plays the wizard Saruman in the trilogy, said he had expected to appear in seven minutes' worth of climactic scenes.

The BBC said Lee now plans to boycott the film's premiere in December.

During a Wednesday interview on Britain's ITV1's This Morning program, Lee said: "As far as I'm concerned, I'm only telling you this because it has been revealed on the internet, someone has talked and it certainly wasn't me. I can't say any more because I signed a confidentiality agreement and I honor my word."

Asked if he would attend the premiere, he said: "No, what's the point? What's the point of going? None at all."

Lee, who also appears as Count Dooku in the Star Wars films, said appearing in the first two Lord of the Rings movie was "a dream come true".