Harry Potter's Lucius Malfoy actor, Jason Isaacs, honors the late Alan Rickman with a behind-the-scenes story involving Quidditch. Consisting of eight films in total, not including the Fantastic Beasts spinoff movies, the Harry Potter franchise remains a beloved entertainment property to this to day. Based on J.K. Rowling's best-selling book series, the first Harry Potter film was released back in 2001, introducing audiences to Daniel Radcliffe's Harry Potter, Emma Watson's Hermione Granger, Rupert Grint's Ron Weasley, and the magical school of Hogwarts. Although Harry receives instruction from a host of teachers during his time at Hogwarts, it's Rickman's Severus Snape who remains one of the most memorable.
Initially introduced as an antagonistic character in Harry's life, Snape comes to play a crucial role in the fight against Voldemort (Ralph Fiennes) in later films. Rickman plays Snape in all eight Harry Potter films, concluding the character's journey in 2011's Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows – Part 2. Rickman, who was already well known in Hollywood for his roles in films like Die Hard, Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, and Love Actually, sadly passed away in 2016 after a battle with pancreatic cancer. Despite Snape's somewhat cold demeanor in the Harry Potter films, Rickman himself was well-liked among his cast members, with many fondly remembering their time with the actor after his passing.
Now, in a new interview with The Guardian, Isaacs' offers his tribute to Rickman, remembering a time on set when he bonded with the actor over their shared confusion over Quidditch. Isaacs, who joined the franchise in the second Harry Potter film, remembers that his first day on set involved filming a scene with Rickman where the two had to react to a quidditch game, which was really just a props person, using a tennis ball to represent the quaffle. Isaacs remembers asking Rickman what was going on, to which the actor hilariously responded, "No idea. Do what I do. Absolutely f---ing nothing." Check out Isaac's full recollection of events below:
"In person, though, he put paid to my intimidation on my first day: we were shooting a sequence where we watched and reacted to a Quidditch match. 'This is the quaffle,' said a props man, waving a tennis ball on a stick. 'And now, here come the beaters. Here they are, but the keeper blocks it and, watch out, here’s the Gryffindor seeker. And … he falls … but … HE’S GOT THE GOLDEN SNITCH!'
'I’m so sorry, Alan,' I said. 'But what’s going on? What should I do?'
'No idea.' he whispered. 'Do what I do. Absolutely f***ing nothing.'
Who knew! The man behind the most distinctive and contemptuous drawl in theatrical history was actually completely accessible, anarchically funny, utterly in the moment on and off screen, and a consumer of music far, far more contemporary than my best-of-the-70s tastes – a point he made mercilessly in the makeup chair as my cheese-fest blasted out."
Why Harry Potter Fans Love Alan Rickman's Snape
Isaac's story honoring the late Harry Potter actor is only one of many tributes that have poured in over the years since Rickman's death. Radcliffe penned his own tribute to Rickman in 2018, calling his Harry Potter co-star "one of the most supportive people [he's] ever met in the film industry." The positive stories from fellow cast members mirror the reactions from Harry Potter fans, with many pointing out subtleties in his performances across the franchise and the powerful and unique way he gave life to one of the single most important characters in Rowling's books.
Although the main Harry Potter films came to a close more than 10 years ago, love for the franchise and for Snape, in particular, persists. Isaac's story serves as further proof that off-screen, Rickman was totally unlike Harry Potter character, filling his co-stars with joy and cracking jokes. It's now been six years since Rickman passed, but Harry Potter fans and co-stars alike continue to express their love for the late actor, a testament to his acting abilities and the lasting impact he's had on so many lives.
Source: The Guardian