In newly revealed diary excerpts, the late Alan Rickman opens up about his reason for continuing to play Harry Potter's Snape. Best known for playing villains like Hans Gruber in Die Hard and the Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: The Prince of Thieves, Rickman's work reached a new generation when he was cast as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films. The brooding Potions Master played a key role in both the movies and J.K. Rowling's books, acting as a vicious bully to young Harry (Daniel Radcliffe) and his friends. However, it is eventually revealed there is far more to the character.
Rickman passed away in 2016 after a private battle with cancer. Nevertheless, his legacy has lived on through his many beloved roles. In the case of Harry Potter's Snape, the actor was open about his hesitance to play the character initially. It was only when Rowling told him the truth behind Snape's arc - that he was in love with Harry's mother Lily - that Rickman felt persuaded to sign on. However, his misgivings lingered throughout, and new writings have offered insight into how he felt.
Set to debut next month, Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman is a collection of the late actor's personal thoughts, which he intended to publish before his death. In an extended excerpt shared by The Guardian, entries from over the years offer glimpses of Rickman's time on Harry Potter. During the fourth film in 2004, Rickman wrote he felt "so shafted" with his role. However, when it came time to work on Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix, Rickman opted to stick with the role. This was after he was diagnosed with cancer, and 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.”
Alan Rickman Was Essential To The Harry Potter Franchise
Rickman was well-known for his ability to bring characters to life with far more depth than they had on the page; this was evident from his first onscreen role in Die Hard. Though Snape is one of Harry Potter's most essential characters, the movies often kept him to the wayside. Rickman had limited screentime in certain installments, and up until Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows - Part 2, Snape's true intentions were a mystery, thus leaving the actor with a limited range to play with. Therefore, his frustration with the part is understandable.
However, there is little question that his role in Harry Potter helped elevate the franchise. His knowledge of Snape's past allowed him to give the divisive character a sympathetic edge over the course of the films. In anyone else's hands, Snape might've simply remained a caricature, and while Rickman himself might've questioned the role's depth, the audience never wavered in their belief that he was perfect for Harry Potter. In sticking with the part, Rickman got to see Snape's arc all the way through, and the franchise got to retain one of its strongest performers. Harry Potter is all the better for his involvement, and knowing he felt some ownership over Snape's story makes his performance even more impactful.
Source: The Guardian