Christopher Lee has been dropped from the new Lord of the Rings film, he has confirmed.
The actor, who plays evil wizard Samuran, said he was "shocked" to learn that his scenes have been cut out of the movie.
He had expected to play a pivotal role in the climax of the film, The Return Of The King, which is released next month.
But the 81-year-old star said his scenes have ended up on the cutting room floor.
He told This Morning yesterday: "Yes, it is true. The only reason I'm able to say this is because it was on the internet and has been for some days. I only heard recently.
"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.
"Of course I am very shocked, that's all I can say."
Lee said he was mystified by the decision: "If you want to know why you would have to ask the company New Line or director Peter Jackson and his associates because I still don't really know why," he said.
He added: "I can't say any more because I signed a confidentiality agreement and I honoured my word."
The actor, star of the first two Lord of the Rings films, said he had expected to appear in seven minutes' worth of the climactic scenes.
And he plans to boycott the film's premiere when it is released next month.
Asked if he would attend, 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 that appearing in the first two Lord of the Rings movie had been "a dream come true".
