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In The Hobbit: An Unexpected Journey (2012), when the company arrive to Rivendell, Gandalf is asked to attend a surprise reunion with Elrond, Galadriel and Saruman the White. Saruman then opposes himself to Gandalf's involvement with the Dwarves and his plan to get rid of Smaug. Gandalf then reveals his concerns about the Necromancer, but Saruman is skeptical, not believing the Necromancer to be a true threat and minimizes the danger.

Was this speech an attempt from him to utilize his power known as "The Voice of Saruman"?

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Probably not, because Saruman can be very persuasive when he wants to, but he doesn't manage to persuade Gandalf or Galadriel. (Who have no reason to suspect treachery, unlike in the events of The Two Towers!) – Andres F. Jan 7 at 17:36

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Highly unlikely for two reasons :

  1. Elrond, Galadriel and Gandalf were all far too powerful within themselves to fall under Saruman's spells.

  2. Saruman didn't align with Sauron until a long time after The Hobbit's events took place and had no reason to convince them that the Necromancer was not Sauron.

Once he was as great as his fame made him. His knowledge was deep, his thought was subtle, and his hands marvelously skilled; and he had a power over the minds of others. The wise he could persuade, and the smaller folk he could daunt. That power he certainly still keeps. There are not many in Middle-earth that I should say were safe, if they were left alone to talk with him, even now when he has suffered a defeat. Gandalf, Elrond, Galadriel, perhaps, now his wickedness has been laid bare, but very few others.

Aragorn talking to Legolas and Gimli as they enter Orthanc with Gandalf, King Theoden and Eomer to speak with Saruman.

Source

It's highly likely that Saruman was simply skeptical that a Necromancer existed as he believed Sauron had been defeated forever :

Gandalf talks with the White Council (Elrond, Galadriel, and Saruman the White) about his involvement with the Dwarves, explaining the presence Radagast encountered and expresses mild suspicion that this necromancer is the Dark Lord. The others are skeptical, believing Sauron to have been defeated forever, and that this necromancer is not a true threat.

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Any opposition from Saruman to overthrowing the Necromancer was (at least a few decades later) due to Saruman searching for the One Ring's resting place and not wanting that search to be disturbed – SSumner Jan 7 at 18:41
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@SSumner Indeed, but at the time frame we're talking about in The Hobbit, the One Rings whereabouts were still unknown and therefore could not have factored into Sarumans opinion on the Necromancer, as per question. – spiceyokooko Jan 7 at 20:42
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now his wickedness has been laid bare This implies to me that before this event, even they were susceptible. Also, you're drawing form a fan wikia, which are not known for their accuracy. – Pureferret Jan 7 at 20:55
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Perhaps he just likes to be contrary to Gandalf... there has been a potential for rivalry there. – Canadian Girl Scout Jan 7 at 22:11
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@Pureferret Saruman hasn't sided with Sauron at that point in Rivendell because the One Ring hasn't yet been found. He only sides with Sauron because he want's the ring for himself. – spiceyokooko Jan 8 at 20:13
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