Excerpts from actor Alan Rickman’s diary, the famous Professor Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” film series, revealed what he truly thought about his young colleagues.
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Excerpts from Alan Rickman’s diaries, published in the book “Madly, Deeply: Alan Rickman’s Diaries”, released in 2022, reveal that the actor, who died in 2016 after battling pancreatic cancer, considered leaving the “Harry Potter” franchise in 2002.
“Conversation with [agent] Paul Lyon-Maris about leaving [the franchise] HP, which he thinks will happen,” Alan wrote in a record dated December 4, 2002, about a month after the release of the second film, “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets”.
“But we’re back here in the area of project conflict. I repeat, no more HP. They don’t want to hear it,” wrote Alan, who decided to continue playing his beloved character even after being diagnosed with prostate cancer in 2005.
“Finally yes to HP 5 [the fifth film in the series, ‘Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix’]. The feeling is neither up nor down. What’s decisive is the argument that says, ‘Go all the way. It’s your story,'” he wrote in January 2006.
He also shared his impressions of his young colleagues like Daniel Radcliffe and Emma Watson, who acted with him in eight films of the series.
“I still don’t think he’s truly an actor, but he will undoubtedly direct/produce. And he has such subtle and dignified support from his parents. Nothing is artificial,” he wrote about Radcliffe in a record dated May 2, 2003.
The actor also shared his opinion on director Alfonso Cuarón. “He’s under the usual pressure from HP and is even beginning to rehearse cameras in front of the actors, and these kids need direction. They don’t know their lines, and Emma’s [Watson] diction is sometimes from here to Albania. Additionally, I’m supposedly rehearsing with a French stand-in.”
He didn’t spare praise for Cuarón for the third film in the series, “Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban”. “Alfonso did a great job. It’s a very grown-up film, so full of courage that it made me smile. Every shot is a work of art and of the storyteller.”
He also commented on the death of his acclaimed character after the completion of the final book “Harry Potter” in a record dated July 27, 2007. “I finished reading the last book ‘Harry Potter’. Snape dies heroically, Potter describes him to his children as one of the bravest men he ever knew, and names his son Albus Severus. That was a real turning point.”
On March 29, 2010, marked as “HARRY POTTER’S LAST DAY,” Alan wrote a record capturing the surreal end of his decade-long journey with this series.
“It’s all a bit hard to believe. I think even Daniel was surprised by the finality. It looked like the cameras were everywhere (documentary). ‘What does it feel like?’ they ask, before you feel, before there’s any sense of a name. ‘It’s private,’ I said, ‘and I won’t share it with this,’ pointing to their lenses.”
