Random Stories About Alan Rickman From Behind The Scenes Of 'Harry Potter' (16 items)

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  (#14) In His Diaries, He Expressed Hesitation About Continuing To Play Snape

  In September 2022, The Guardian printed excerpts from Rickman's 26 volumes of daily diaries, which included many comments about the Harry Potter series, actors, directors, and Rickman's feelings about playing Severus Snape. At times he expressed hesitation about the role. 

  On December 4, 2002, he wrote:

  Talking to [agent] Paul Lyon-Maris about [Harry Potter] 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.

  Four years later, he seemed okay with seeing the role through to the end. On January 30, 2006, he wrote:

  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 wrote about his death scene as Snape on November 26, 2009:

  The Death of Snape. Nearly 10 years later. At least it’s just down to two actors … [Director] David [Yates] is vulnerable and endearing when he’s excited. And he is by this scene. It’s the absolute example of what can happen when a couple of actors pick up a scene off the page and work with the story, the space and each other. Stuart Craig’s boathouse [set] gave it something ironic and everlasting. As I said at one point to David - it’s all a bit epic and Japanese.
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  (#5) He Kept A Funny Sketch Of Himself Drawn By Rupert Grint During Filming

  Rupert Grint (Ron Weasley in Harry Potter) was doodling caricatures while on set one day. As he was working on one of Rickman, Grint had no idea that Snape himself was looking over his shoulder. "I was so scared," Grint said, because in the sketch he had "exaggerated a few of his features." But Rickman was not upset in the slightest - the exact opposite, in fact.

  "I made him sign it, and I have it in my possession," Rickman said proudly. "I'm very fond of it."
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  (#9) He Helped Design His Snape Costume

  Snape's billowing cape is one of the character's hallmarks. During the design stage, Rickman gave his input on how the costume should ultimately look. "I was very involved in the costume and the look," he told The New York Times. "I said the sleeves should be really tight, and there should be a lot of buttons."

  Rickman admitted the finished product contributed to his understanding of the character. "As soon as I put that costume on something happens. You can't be someone else inside that outline," he said. "It has an effect on me."
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  (#7) His Method Acting Intimidated - And Impressed - The Kid Actors On Set

  Evanna Lynch, who played Luna Lovegood, remembered with a laugh that Rickman "was a method actor, so we were all pretty much terrified of him on set. I just remember him being creepy around the corridors. He didn't smile, and everyone talked about him in a reverent tone." Tom Felton, who portrayed Draco Malfoy, concurred:

  I remember my first scene with Alan Rickman and I was anxious because he is a slight "method" actor; as soon as he is in his cloak, he walks and talks like Snape - it is quite terrifying...

  After I plucked up the courage, we chatted for about half an hour, and he told me where he got his inspiration from and how he thinks of approaching his lines. It is fascinating for a young actor to be able to talk to your heroes like that. It is priceless.
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  (#8) He Treated Daniel Radcliffe Like A Peer, Not A Child

  After Rickman's passing, many of his co-stars from Harry Potter and beyond came out to pay homage. Daniel Radcliffe, AKA Harry Potter himself, penned a powerful tribute in which he hailed Rickman as "undoubtedly one of the greatest actors I will ever work with" and "one of the loyalest and most supportive people I've ever met in the film industry." He went on:

  As an actor he was one of the first of the adults on Potter to treat me like a peer rather than a child. Working with him at such a formative age was incredibly important, and I will carry the lessons he taught me for the rest of my life and career. Film sets and theater stages are all far poorer for the loss of this great actor and man. 
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  (#4) He Made Sure A Child With Cancer Who Visited The Set Got To Be An Extra In One Of The Films 

  During the filming of Prisoner of Azkaban, a teenager named Jay who had a diagnosis of late-stage neuroblastoma visited the set. Rickman made certain the boy appeared in the movie. As producer Paula DuPré Pesman remembered:

  [What Jay] really wanted was to be in the film, not just visiting. I said, "Well, we can't really do that, and you're already here." Alan came over and introduced himself to Jay, and Jay was so happy to meet him. He was really knowledgeable. He was about 15 at the time, and he knew a lot about Alan's other films, and Jay mentioned to Alan that what he really wanted to do was be in the film.

  Alan looked at me, and he kind of went into his Snape-mode in costume, and said, "Why isn't this child in the film?" Everyone had a good laugh, and Alan took him by the hand and put him into the crowd of kids as they were panning across. The back of him is actually in a shot. 

  Jay stood in a scene of Prisoner of Azkaban during Professor Lupin's (David Thewlis) boggart class. While the scene ultimately did not make the cut for the big screen, Rickman's gesture was not lost on Jay.

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