MOVIE NEWS – The diaries of the late Alan Rickman reveal some candid reflections on his acting career and, of course, his most memorable roles.

The personal diaries of late acting legend Alan Rickman are about to be published, and among his writings are his thoughts on the Harry Potter franchise. The book, Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman is a collection of Rickman’s diaries, which he kept for over 25 years. During that time, the actor collected 27 diaries, all of which he compiled into a single book.

Rickman also, of course, covers his time in the Harry Potter film series, in which he played the memorable role of Severus Snape. The book was reviewed in a recent article in The Guardian, which reveals that the actor considered quitting the franchise during his battle with prostate cancer after having his prostate removed in 2006. A few weeks after being released from the hospital, Rickman wrote a diary entry noting that he had decided to stay on as Snape.

“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 returned in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix and its three sequels before finishing the role in 2011. For a 2008 post about his return in Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince, Rickman also wrote:

“HP 6. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince. Day One. Thank God I could do the coat up without visible strain at the seams.”

In 2009 Alan Rickman also wrote about his return in the last two films in the series, both chapters of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows. He talks about working with the director and producers, and some of the concerns he had about what was in store for Snape:

“HP 6. NEW YORK. Party at the Natural History Museum. The desire to eat and even more get a drink is matched only by the need to bang the three Davids’ heads [Harry Potter producers David Heyman and David Barron, and director David Yates] against the nearest wall. I get the character development and the spiffing effects (dazzling), but where is the story????”

Alan Rickman also detailed how he thought more about Snape’s death after he returned home from filming, and his partner Rima Horton – whom he married in 2012 – pointed out something that gave him a different perspective.

“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.”

Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman will be released on 18 October 2022.

Source: The Guardian