March 3, 2001
From One Count to
Another
Staff Reporter
George Lucas has officially revealed the name of the character Christopher Lee will play in Star Wars: Episode II. And yes, it looks as if 79 year-old actor, who made his name playing Count Dracula in the classic Hammer Horror movies in the sixties and early seventies, will be operating on the Dark Side of the Force.
In the introduction to ‘Christopher Lee: The Authorised Screen History’ by Jonathan Rigby (published by Reynolds and Hearn), George Lucas writes: “When it was time to cast the role of Count Dooku in Star Wars: Episode II my casting director suggested Christopher Lee and I jumped at the opportunity to work with him. 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. His villainous résumé speaks for itself.”
Count Dooku has been rumoured to be the name of Lee’s character since his casting was announced last July but until the publication of Rigby’s book today (1 March) there had been no official word. The official Star Wars website had previously stated only that Lee would play a “charismatic separatist.”