[DieHard the Hunter]

> Lee isn’t interested in filming in New Zealand again because it is simply too far away, for too long of a time.

Oh well, we can do without him in New Zealand. I am certain there are plenty of talented, local voices who wouldn’t mind being Smaug.

Being in New Zealand is a privilege, not a right. Mr Lee doesn’t want to be here? Fine. We don’t want him, so we’re all happy aren’t we?

[dangerdoc]

Give him a break, what is he like 90.

[NucSubs]

What the hell is wrong with you? The man seems to regret that he cannot go. This is not about some manufacture slight to you’re ego. He is 86 freaking years old! He does not want to travel half-way around the world and leave his local comforts for a place where he might never leave for a job he can do in a London studio.

Jeeze Louise! Talk about an inferiority complex!

[ricks_place]

...Oh well, we can do without him in New Zealand. I am certain there are plenty of talented, local voices who wouldn’t mind being Smaug...

Ok. Ok. I will happily travel to New Zealand. Where can I pick up my travel tickets and travel plan for the Triolgy film sites. ;)

[spetznaz]

He is an old man, and who knows how many days he has. Travelling half-way around the world, and not knowing how long his stay there will be, when he could easily record his parts in a home studio, really makes no sense. You look at it as a snub to New Zealand .....I look at it as an old man being sensible in his last days.

You say that being in New Zealand is a priviledge and not a right. That is true. However, going to New Zealand is a choice, and when health and age and time converge against you, and what is at stake is a voice role in a movie, then only a fool would opt to travel.

[Kozak]

Just out of curiosity, is the US Navy allowed to port in New Zealand, or are you still playing “Nuclear Free Zone” like you were in the Cold War?