It’s hard to imagine the ‘Harry Potter’ films without Alan Rickman’s unforgettable performance as Professor Severus Snape. From his commanding screen presence to that unforgettable voice, Rickman had the ability to keep the audience questioning the character’s true loyalties till the very end.
Surprisingly, Rickman almost never wore those iconic black robes. The producers originally had another actor in mind. But that version of Snape could have changed the tone of the entire franchise altogether.
‘Harry Potter’ Producers Originally Had A Different Pick For Severus Snape
Before Alan Rickman landed the role of Severus Snape, the producers wanted to go in a different direction with the character. Their choice was none other than British actor Tim Roth. Roth was already making a name for himself through films like ‘Pulp Fiction’, ‘Reservoir Dogs’, and ‘Four Rooms’. Today, many viewers also know him as Emil Blonsky, better known as Abomination, in the MCU.
Related: The One ‘Harry Potter’ Casting Rule That Cost Us Robin Williams
Roth initially agreed to take on the role of Snape before ultimately changing his mind. He later explained that he realised the part would define his career in a way he wasn’t comfortable with.
Speaking on There’s Something About Movies, Roth recalled thinking, “I’ll be on every lunchbox or whatever it is. I’ll be known for that role.”
Instead of committing to a life-defining role, he turned down the part. Roth spent that year playing Thade in Tim Burton’s ‘Planet of the Apes’. It seems he never wanted the level of fame that came with being permanently associated with a single character.
The Version Of Professor Snape We Never Got To See
There’s little doubt that Tim Roth had the talent to play Severus Snape. He was also much younger than Rickman, making him closer to the character’s actual age. In the books, Snape is only 31 years old at the beginning of the series. Rickman, who was in his mid-50s when the first film was released, is often pointed out by fans who preferred a more book-accurate portrayal.
In Case You Missed It: Why Ian McKellen Refused to Play Dumbledore In ‘Harry Potter’ Despite His ‘Lord of the Rings’ Wizard Fame
Exactly how Roth would have approached the role, however, remains a mystery. He acknowledged that Rickman’s interpretation was “very different” from the one he had envisioned. But it is probably for the best that audiences never got to see that version. Rickman’s performance is simply unforgettable.
He perfectly captured Snape’s ambiguity, making the character appear both intimidating and deeply mysterious. His unmistakable voice still sends shivers down our spines. Every rewatch reveals new subtle expressions from him that secretly hint at Snape’s true loyalties.
Reportedly, Roth was the producers’ first choice, although J.K. Rowling had her heart set on Alan Rickman. That preference is hardly surprising. After all, he was famously the only actor who was told Rowling’s long-term secret about Snape’s ultimate fate.
Looking back, Roth has no regrets about his decision. During a Reddit AMA, he simply said, “The better man for the job did the job.”
Ironically, Rickman ultimately avoided the fate Roth feared. He and Professor Severus Snape may have become inseparable in the minds of many fans. But Rickman was never defined by just one role. We still remember him as the brilliant criminal mastermind Hans Gruber in ‘Die Hard’, the short-tempered Sheriff of Nottingham in ‘Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves’, and the gentle, reserved Colonel Brandon in ‘Sense and Sensibility’.
You Might Also Like To Read: Alan Rickman And Michael Gambon’s ‘Harry Potter’ Set Prank Left Daniel Radcliffe Red-Faced In Front Of His Crush
