Eddie Redmayne Auditioned To Play A Young Tom Riddle
Long before he landed the role of Fantastic Beasts‘ Newt Scamander, Eddie Redmayne tried to break into the Harry Potter franchise by trying out for other parts. âI actually auditioned to play Tom Riddle when I was back at university,â Redmayne revealed in an interview. âI properly failed and didnât get a call back.”
Health Problems Prevented Alec Guinness From Playing Dumbledore
During the early development stage of Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone, various actors were considered for the role of Dumbledore. One of them was Star Wars actor Alec Guinness but unfortunately, during the casting phase, he became too ill to take part. He passed away shortly before filming began.
Severus Snapes Dark Past
From The Philosophers Stone, we realize that Dumbledore never doubts his trust and loyalty he believes deeply in repentance and second chances. Meanwhile, other characters, like Harry, try to unmask him. Harrys plans almost always fail, and Snape comes out on top every time.
As readers or viewers, were surprised that no one besides Harry and his friends is aware of Snapes evil. For this reason, its a much bigger surprise when we discover the truth. Were drip-fed with information about his past bit by bit. We know that Snape has the dark mark, an indication that he was once a Death Eater. Because of this, quite naturally, we identify him as a villain.
Thanks to Lupin, we sense more about his past, discovering that the bad relationship with the Marauders comes from his stay at Hogwarts. Through the classes of Occlumency and Legilimency that Severus offers to Harry, we notice some aspects of this bad relationship. For example, we see a teenage Severus Snape being bullied by James Potter, Harrys father.
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Harry Potter & Cursed Child Movie Would Have An Impossible Recast Issue
If a movie adaptation of Harry Potter and the Cursed Child was to happen, it would face an impossible recast problem with one key character.
There are a couple of rumors surrounding a revival of the Harry Potter franchise, with fans pointing at the play Harry Potter and the Cursed Child as the best next move, but if a movie adaptation was to happen, it would face an impossible recast issue. Back in 1997, J.K. Rowling shared the Wizarding World with readers all over the world in the novel Harry Potter and the Philosophers Stone. The book was the first in a series of seven novels that told the story of the boy who lived and Lord Voldemort, the darkest wizard of all, who had dangerous plans for the Muggle and Wizarding worlds and a personal vendetta against Harry.
The Harry Potter book series became a cultural phenomenon, so it didnt take long for Hollywood to set eyes on it and bring it to the big screen. The Harry Potter movie saga was released between 2001 and 2011, with the final novel, Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows divided into two movies. The success of the books and novels has allowed the Wizarding World to expand to other areas, such as video games, spinoff movies , and even theme park attractions, but the story of Harry Potter on the big screen came to an end with Deathly Hallows Part 2.
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Harry Potter And The Half
In the second chapter of Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Bellatrix Lestrange and Narcissa Malfoy visit Snape at his home in Spinner’s End. Narcissa’s son Draco has been given a difficult task by Voldemort, and Narcissa swears Snape to an Unbreakable Vow that he will protect Draco, help him complete Voldemort’s task, and finish the task himself if Draco fails. When questioned by Bellatrix about his loyalties, Snape says he has been working for Voldemort ever since Voldemort’s return, and explains his actions in the previous books in that light. He points out that gaining Dumbledore’s trust and protection has kept him out of Azkaban and free to operate on Voldemort’s behalf.
Later, during a fight with Draco, Harry casts one of the Prince’s spells marked “For Enemies,” and is horrified by the devastating wounds it inflicts to Draco’s face and chest. Snape rushes to the scene and heals Draco, then interrogates Harry regarding the spell, using Legilimency to extract the source of Harry’s knowledge from Harry’s mind. When Snape insists that Harry show him his Potions textbook, Harry hides the Prince’s book and gives him Ron Weasley‘s book instead. As punishment for the attack and knowing Harry is lying about the textbook, Snape assigns Harry detention during the final Quidditch match of the year.
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Great Respect For Young Actors
Everyone who worked with Alan Rickman remembers him as a great actor, with a lot of kindness. During the filming of Harry Potter, he shared with many child actors, who admired him for his previous roles, all of them remember that Rickman always treated them as equals during and out of the shoot.
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Daniel Radcliffe wrote a moving message paying tribute after the news of Rickman’s death. The actor, who grew up playing Harry Potter, described his co-worker as understanding, loyal, supportive, kind, funny and as someone who was always there for his friends. He also highlighted how he always treated him as a partner and not just as a child.
Alan Rickman Who Played Snape In Harry Potter Films Dies At 69
This article was published more than 5 years ago. Some information may no longer be current.
Alan Rickman arrives for the “A Little Chaos” gala during the Toronto International Film Festival in Toronto, September 13, 2014.MARK BLINCH/Reuters
British actor Alan Rickman, a classically-trained stage star and sensual screen villain in the “Harry Potter” saga and other films, has died. He was 69.
Rickman’s family said Thursday that the actor had died after a battle with cancer.
Trained at the prestigious Royal Academy of Dramatic Art, Rickman was often cast as the bad guy with his rich, languid voice he could invest evil with wicked, irresistible relish.
His breakout role was as scheming French aristocrat the Vicomte de Valmont in an acclaimed 1985 Royal Shakespeare Company production of Christopher Hampton’s Les Liaisons Dangereuses.
Film roles included the psychopathic villain Hans Gruber in Die Hard in 1988 a deceased lover who consoles his bereaved partner in 1990’s Truly Madly Deeply the wicked Sheriff of Nottingham in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves in 1991 and a wayward husband in 2003 romantic comedy Love Actually.
Millions know him from the Potter films, in which he played the potions and defence against the dark arts teacher Severus Snape, who was either a nemesis or an ally possibly both to the titular teenage wizard.
He appeared frequently onstage, earning Tony Award nominations for Les Liaisons Dangereuses in 1987 and Noel Coward’s Private Lives in 2002.
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Alan Rickman Harry Potter’s Infamous Snape Dies At 69
The legendary actor who won millions of fans worldwide as Professor Severus Snape has died of cancer.
Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Professor Severus Snape won him acclaim.
Alan Rickman, best known as the scowling Professor Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, died of cancer Thursday at age 69.
The British actor, also known for his roles in “Galaxy Quest,” “Die Hard” and “The Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Galaxy,” was “surrounded by family and friends” in London when he died, according to the Guardian.
Rickman was the kind of actor who made playing villains look easy. His portrayal of scoundrels includes Hans Gruber in “Die Hard,” the Sheriff of Nottingham in “Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves,” Elliott Marston in “Quigley Down Under,” Judge Turpin in “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street,” and the virtually un-killable Rasputin in the TV movie “Rasputin: Dark Servant of Destiny.”
Harry Potter: The Actor Who Almost Played Severus Snape
Before Alan Rickman took on the role of Severus Snape for the Harry Potter movies, another actor was cast as the iconic Potions Master.
Alan Rickman brought Severus Snape to life on the big screen for the Harry Potter film franchise, but he wasn’t the first actor offered the role. The English actor portrayed Snape in all eight installments of the series based on the beloved books by J.K. Rowling. If it wasn’t for another actor’s scheduling conflict, however, Rickman would not have played the fan-favorite character.
Severus Snape was first introduced in Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone as a Potions Master and professor at Hogwarts. He certainly wasn’t a friendly presence at the school, and most students feared him, including Harry Potter. Even though he was thought to be a villain throughout the series, Snape was actually extremely loyal. He lived a double life as a Death Eater and a member of the Order of the Phoenix, vowing to protect the wizarding world. In his final moments, Snape also provided Harry with useful information regarding how to defeat Lord Voldemort once and for all.
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Helen Mccrory Declined To Play Bellatrix Lestrange
Sirius Black’s cousin Bellatrix was originally meant to be played by Helen McCrory, but after finding out that she was pregnant shortly after landing the role, she decided that the part would be too much for her. Helen ended up playing Narcissa Malfoy instead while Helena Bonham Carter stepped in as Bellatrix Lestrange.
Why Tim Roth Turned Down The Role Of Severus Snape In Harry Potter
Roth, a season English actor, rose to fame in popular films like The Hit, Reservoir Dogs, Pulp Fiction, and Four Rooms. He initially auditioned for Snape when Sorcerer’s Stone went into development and was deemed a fit for the role. Upon receiving the offer, Roth had already agreed to appear in Planet of the Apes, also set to debut in 2001. Much of the filming for the two roles overlapped, but both productions agreed to accommodate a way for the actor to film both titles. Unfortunately for Roth, the scheduling got to be too much, so he picked Planet of the Apes over Harry Potter.
The void left for the role of Snape didn’t turn out to be a major problem for moving the Harry Potter series further. Before casting even began for the films, Rowling had always envisioned Rickman in the role of Snape. Some believed that Rickman was in mind when writing the character for the novels. It didn’t take long for the author to get her wish granted, since the seasoned actor quickly signed on for the franchise. Rickman sadly passed away five years after his final appearance as Snape, but the role will always be a piece of his lasting legacy as a prolific actor in the eyes of multiple generations.
- Fantastic Beasts: The Secrets of Dumbledore Release date: Apr 15, 2022
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Severus Snape: The Hero
The Harry Potter saga grows in perfect harmony with its main character. When we read The Philosophers Stone, we find a book for children, where evil and goodness seem to be the two extremes. However, as we progress, Harry grows up and, at the same time, the complexity of the books increases. What seemed to be a childrens story has now become a dark and nuanced one.
In The Deathly Hallows, the last book in the saga, we realize that there are no longer any people who we could classify as good or bad. What we do see are characters whose actions come as a result of their difficult past.
Voldemort might not be the dark wizard we thought he was as we see glimpses of his slightly happier childhood. And, in the same way, we understand that good old Dumbledore wasnt quite as good as we thought he was.
As for Snape, we see that, behind his dark exterior, lies a devastated heart, a man whos suffered, but who still loves. The revelation in the pensieve is one of the most momentous parts of the saga, a time when Harry and the reader reach maturity.
Harry Potter And The Philosopher’s Stone
Snape first appears in Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, shortly after Harry arrives at Hogwarts. He is the school’s Potions Master, though he is widely rumoured to covet the Defence Against the Dark Arts post. Snape himself confirms the rumour in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. Snape is a sinister and malicious teacher who makes frequent snide and disparaging remarks at Harry’s expense. He quickly becomes the primary antagonist of the book, as Harry suspects him of plotting to steal the Philosopher’s Stone, and of attempting to kill him. Only the climax of the book reveals that Professor Quirrell, in league with Lord Voldemort, is the real enemy Snape, suspicious of Quirrell, had been looking out for Harry throughout the book. In the final chapter, Dumbledore suggests that because Harry’s father James had saved Snape’s life when they were both students, even though the two detested each other, Snape felt responsible for Harry in return. As the final book reveals, this is not the full story. In any case, even after Quirrell’s true role is revealed, Harry retains feelings of suspicion and resentment towards Snape, and their relationship remains tense. Snape’s behaviour and attitude towards Harry also remain unchanged.
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Severus Snape In Harry Potter
The Snape that we get to know in the saga shows himself as a dark, cold, and frustrated man professionally, and probably also personally. Snape is pedantic, arrogant, and lacks empathy. He seems to somewhat favor the students of the house of Slytherin, of which he is the head.
He harshly punishes know-it-alls like Hermione and those he considers to be stupid or unintelligent. But he saves most of his venom for Harry, whom he punishes especially harshly. Snape takes out all his past frustration on Harry, whom he sees as a reflection of his father and, consequently, as an enemy and rival.
All his actions lead us to believe that hes on the side of Voldemort and the Death Eaters. Our suspicions are confirmed when we discover that Severus Snape is indeed one of them, and that he even murdered the person who had always trusted him: Albus Dumbledore. Behind all this darkness, however, lies a man whos suffered, and whos a victim of his own past.
Alan Rickman Was About To Quit The Harry Potter Series Then Jk Rowling Told Him A Secret About Snape
After appearing as the sinister Professor Snape in two Harry Potter films, actor Alan Rickman didnt feel compelled to return to play a character that he believed was nothing more than an unchanging costume. But then JK Rowling told him a secret about Snape, one that would only be revealed to fans many years later. She told him the meaning behind the word always.
As part of a special feature commemorating the conclusion of the Harry Potter franchise in 2011, Rickman narrated the story to Empire magazine. I have just returned from the dubbing studio where I spoke into a microphone as Severus Snape for absolutely the last time. On the screen were some flashback shots of Daniel, Emma and Rupert from ten years ago. They were 12. I have also recently returned from New York, and while I was there, I saw Daniel singing and dancing on Broadway. A lifetime seems to have passed in minutes.
He continued, Three children have become adults since a phone call with Jo Rowling, containing one small clue, persuaded me that there was more to Snape than an unchanging costume, and that even though only three of the books were out at that time, she held the entire massive but delicate narrative in the surest of hands. It is an ancient need to be told stories. But the story needs a great storyteller. Thanks for all of it, Jo.
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Who Are The Nice People
Rowling demystifies, in part, the heroism of Harrys father. We dont doubt that James was a good man, but its true that, during his adolescence, his mocking of Snape shows an unpleasant and cruel side to his character. We see James as the leader of his group, the popular joker whos always looking for trouble. Somehow, Rowling is telling us that even the nicest people are capable of committing reprehensible acts.
In contrast, his relationship with Lily Potter was quite different. They met as children and became great friends. Snape already knew about the world of magic, and was, in some ways, a key figure in Lilys childhood.
Lilys parents were Muggles and when people discovered she was a witch, then a whole world of strange names opened up to her. This relationship will be key to discovering more about Snape as an adult in the Harry Potter saga.
The Harry Potter Author Reveals The Origins Of Snapes Name
While fans know what Rowling told Rickman that kept him in thefranchise, she recently revealed how she came up with his characters name.Most fans theorized that Rowling developed Snapes first name from the Latinword, severus, which means severe.
Turns out, Rowling was inspired by something completely random when she came up with Snapes name. Taking to Twitter, Rowling recently revealed her inspiration for Rickmans character came from a road sign that she frequently passed when she was writing the first novel.
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