When it was recently announced that Warner Bros are rebooting the Harry Potter franchise, one of the biggest outcries from fans was how much-loved performances could possibly be recast. At the top of that list wasAlan Rickman’s performance of Severus Snape, a role that made him an icon to a whole new generation of movie lovers. This was just one of his many iconic performances that has been remembered by fans in an outpouring of love shown for the actor, instigated byGoogle’s Doodlecelebrating the anniversary of his first major acting role.
As Google’s page explained, “Today’s Doodle celebrates English actor Alan Rickman. With a deep, magnetic voice and endless charm, he’s known for his magical performances in films likeHarry PotterandDie Hard. On this day in 1987, Rickman performed in ‘Les Liaisons Dangereuses’, a Broadway play that was instrumental in launching his career.”
Of course, it was his big screen debut inDie Hardthat turned the English actor into an icon of a generation, as there are not many people who have not spent Christmas watching Hans Gruber take his plunge from the Nakatomi Plaza. Over the decades, his roles included parts inRobin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Sense and Sensibility, Love Actuallyand of course theHarry Potterfranchise. You can see some of the many posts commemorating Rickman below.
Related:Alan Rickman’s Best Performances, Ranked
Alan Rickman’s Thoughts About his Role As Severus Snape Were Recently Revealed.
Although there are many stories out there about Alan Rickman’s various times on set of many movies, but last year saw the actor’s own thoughts revealed abouthis role as Snapein the Harry Potter franchise through a series of personal diary entries that featured in the bookMadly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman. Among the entries in the 25 years’ worth of his personal notes, one in particular entry concerned his thoughts on the death of Snape and how he considered it after completing filming onHarry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He said:
“Cold, wet, draughty but the crew seem miles away so Ralph and I can just get on with inching our way towards the scene. David Y stubborn as ever about V[oldemort] killing me with a spell. (Impossible to comprehend, not least the resultant wrath of the readers.) Great working with Ralph, though. Direct and true and inventive and free. Back home and Rima (narrative brainbox) says, ‘He can’t kill you with a spell – the only one that would do that is Avada Kedavra and it kills instantly – you wouldn’t be able to finish the scene.’ … The Death of Snape. Nearly 10 years later. At least it’s just down to two actors … David 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.”
It is clear that whoever takes over the role in future has some very big shoes to fill and there is no way to prevent fans making comparisons to Alan Rickman’s brilliantly droll take on the character in future.
