In the cinematic world of wizardry, there is hardly any other franchise that has seen success as much as Harry Potter. J.K. Rowling’s imaginations were portrayed on screen thanks to a team of great cast. Among them, one actor who probably had the most unique role was the late Alan Rickman.
Rickman essentially played Severus Snape as the potions professor of Hogwarts. But his character was more than that, which was not revealed until the last movie. However, playing a role without much information about the character could be tough, and Rickman’s diary entries show how he felt about it.
Alan Rickman’s Struggle to Connect With Snape in Harry Potter
Alan Rickman played the role of Professor Severus Snape for a decade in every Harry Potter movie installment. Initially, he appeared to be just an evil guy who hates Harry Potter and his friends. However, the reasons behind this and his connections with every incident were never explained, which kept the character mysterious.
Snape’s true intentions were never revealed until the end when it was ultimately revealed that he was playing a double agent. But Rickman was not aware of this, which initially frustrated him creatively. According to The Guardian, on August 24, 2000, he wrote in his diary,
Around the pool and feeling a bit nothing about HP which really disturbs me – or is it because I’m reading Martin Amis’s Experience which charts A Life…
On December 4, 2002, he wrote,
Talking to [agent] Paul Lyon-Maris about HP exit, which he thinks will happen. But here we are in the project-collision area again. Reiterating no more HP. They don’t want to hear it.
On December 13, 2004, he wrote about feeling “shafted” in Goblet of Fire,
I feel so shafted on this film with all Mike’s [director Mike Newell] best motives. He’s under pressure (like Alfonso) and everything is about the shot. We only talk about the scene on about take four. Plus ça change.
Lack of knowledge about the backstory of his character was one big reason behind his emotions. However, during Order of the Phoenix, after he was diagnosed with prostate cancer, his feelings towards his role changed as he wrote on January 30, 2006,
Finally, yes to HP 5. The sensation is neither up nor down. The argument that wins is the one that says: “See it through. It’s your story.”
Rickman credits J.K. Rowling for telling him, “Snape loved Lily,” which gave him “a cliff edge to hang on to.” And when his true character and intentions came out at the time of his death, it was heart-wrenching for every Potterhead.
Snape’s New Casting and How Alan Rickman Was Different From Harry Potter Books
It is tough for the old Harry Potter fans to imagine someone else playing the role of Professor Snape. Unfortunately, Alan Rickman died on January 14, 2016, and even if he was alive, he was 69 at the time, which could have made him way older to play Snape.
Snape’s age has been a topic of discussion earlier as well. In the books, he was described to be in his early 30s, whereas Rickman looked older than that in the movies and was also in his mid-50s when the first movie came out.
Other than that, Rickman changed Snape’s skin appearance and his anxious way of walking from the books. In the books, Snape was more like a sallow, mysterious character, but in movies, Rickman portrayed him as a mysterious, yet confident and intimidating character.
As HBO is bringing the Harry Potter reboot TV show with an entirely new cast, Paapa Essiedu has been in talks for the role of Snape lately. The actor is known for his previous projects like Gangs of London and I May Destroy You.
The appearance of the actor has been in discussion amongst fans, as it doesn’t exactly fit Snape’s book depiction. However, Essiedu’s age aligns with Snape’s age in the books. Although the actor has not been confirmed yet, Snape is mostly about the personality, and it depends on how the actor brings that mystery and fierceness on screen.
All of the Harry Potter movies are available to stream on Max.
Frequently asked questions
Why did Alan Rickman reportedly think about leaving the Harry Potter films?
According to his diary entries published by The Guardian, Rickman grew creatively frustrated playing Severus Snape. A December 2002 entry records him discussing an ‘HP exit’ with his agent Paul Lyon-Maris and reiterating ‘no more HP.’ A major reason was that he had not been told Snape’s full backstory or true allegiance, which left him little to anchor the character. He also wrote that he felt ‘shafted’ while making Goblet of Fire under director Mike Newell, feeling that scenes were rushed and everything was about getting the shot.
What changed Alan Rickman’s mind about staying in the Harry Potter franchise?
His diary shows that in early 2006 he finally committed to the fifth film, Order of the Phoenix, writing that the argument that won was simply to ‘See it through. It’s your story.’ Rickman also credited J.K. Rowling for privately telling him that ‘Snape loved Lily,’ which he said gave him ‘a cliff edge to hang on to’ and helped him play the character before Snape’s true intentions were revealed at the end of the saga.
Who has reportedly been in talks to play Snape in the HBO Harry Potter series?
The article notes that HBO’s Harry Potter TV reboot is being made with an entirely new cast, and reports that Paapa Essiedu – known for Gangs of London and I May Destroy You – has been in talks for the role of Severus Snape. As described, the casting had not been officially confirmed, so this is reported, time-sensitive casting news that may change. All of the Harry Potter films are available to stream on Max.
