Lee laments Hollywood 'stars'
By This is London
19 January 2006

Veteran actor Christopher Lee has criticised the new wave of young Hollywood stars, claiming they are chosen for their looks rather than their talent. The 83-year-old screen legend lamented the state of modern cinema.

Movie bosses prize beauty and youth over acting experience, with often disastrous results, he said. In an interview for Terry Wogan's new TV chat show, Lee said: "The problem today, and I think it's a very dangerous one for the people concerned, is that there are quite large numbers of very young men and women - boys and girls to me - from 18 to 30, and they are playing very large parts in huge films and they simply, through no fault of their own, don't have the background and the experience and the knowledge to pull if off.
"And it's dangerous for them because if they are in one failure after another, sooner or later people are going to say, 'well, he may have a pretty face but he's not bringing the public in'.
"So many of these good-looking - sometimes even pretty - boys and girls are getting these good roles and it's not fair on them. At some point it's going to catch up."

Lee, whose early career was associated with British horror films, is more in demand than ever with roles in the Star Wars and Lord of the Rings series.
But the star admitted he had considered quitting the industry in protest at falling standards.

"I have said to my wife 'why do I bother anymore?'. Showbusiness has changed so much. When I started all the technicians wore a suit and shirt and a tie," he said.

"That's trivial. But the differences are it's now not a question of being good at your job. The people who make the decisions and give you the part or put up the money for the production are very amateurish.

"People don't so much make movies as make deals. They see a piece you've done and they cut your best scene, saying 'oh, it's too long'.

Lee's next role is in low-budget British film Greyfriars Bobby, the true story of a faithful dog which refused to leave its master's grave.

The only young actor Lee did find praise for was Johnny Depp.

The pair have co-starred together in three films, most recently Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.

Lee said: "The number one actor in the world as far as I'm concerned is Johnny Depp. He's not afraid of a challenge, he's not afraid of anything."

Lee was filming an appearance for Wogan's new chat show Wogan Now And Then, which begins on UKTV Gold on January 24.

The 13-part series will see Sir Terry interview stars who appeared on his old BBC TV series Wogan, which went out between 1985 and 1992.
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I think he's hit the nail on the head!

I agree to him on the most part, and that Johnny Depp is the best actor of the younger generation, but I don't consider him the only good one.

I too agree. But the bulk of movies being made today are also nothing great that demands great actors/actresses. For the average hollywood movie featuring car chases, explosions and breasts, eye candy is all that is needed. But hollywood does manage to produce atleast 2-3 very good movies every year, so I am happy with what what hollywood is doing. Though the number can be increased atleast by another three.

Can't say I disagree with him. Depp, along with a few others, are a few exceptions.