The beloved late actor Alan Rickman documented much of his life through his journal. And now, fans can get their very own insight into his struggles in working with some of his co-stars on the Harry Potter set…
Rickman is one of the all-time greats.
He had roles in some of the biggest movies of his lifetime and was an undeniable talent.
Rickman played all sorts of characters.
And was exceptionally versatile in his choice of roles.
He’s remembered by most as an exceptional villain on screen.
We all remember Rickman for his incredible portrayal of Professor Snape in the beloved Harry Potter franchise.
But sadly, he was taken too soon.
Following a short battle with pancreatic cancer, he passed away at sixty-nine years old.
But Rickman left a lasting legacy.
Alongside his acting talents, he was also a prolific diary writer.
And now, there’s a chance to read those diaries…
Rickman’s diaries over the last twenty-five years of his life are set to be compiled and published for fans to enjoy.
According to The Guardian, the Harry Potter actor always planned that the diaries — which he started writing in the 90s — would one day be published.
And now, his dreams are set to come true…
As they are to be published!
Publisher, Canongate, has acquired the rights to the diaries and plans to publish The Diaries of Alan Rickman in autumn 2022.
“I’m delighted that Canongate will be publishing Alan’s diaries, and couldn’t have wished for a finer appointment of editor than Alan Taylor,” Rickman’s wife, Rima Horton, said.
“The diaries reveal not just Alan Rickman the actor, but the real Alan – his sense of humor, his sharp observation, his craftsmanship and his devotion to the arts,” she said.
The inside pages reveal details about his life and personality and will pull on many of our emotions.
Publisher Alan Taylor told The Guardian that Rickman’s diaries were “anecdotal, indiscreet, witty, gossipy and utterly candid.”
It’s an absolute must read for any fan.
“More than anything though, the diaries reveal the real Alan Rickman, funny, passionate, occasionally provocative, and give fresh insight into his art,” Canongate commented.
“He wrote his diaries as if chatting with a close friend.
“They provide pitch-perfect vignettes: short, pithy paragraphs painting big pictures, and offering intriguing insights into himself, his peers and the world around him. They are intimate, perceptive and very funny,” they said.
And now, it’s been revealed as to why Rickman decided to play his role as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter franchise.
Prior to the fifth installment of the franchise, Order of Phoneix, Rickman was forced to face mental health issues.
As you may already be aware, Rickman was diagnosed with cancer back in 2005…
Doctors later decided to remove his entire prostate, with surgery occurring at the Vanderbilt University Medical Center in Nashville, Tenn. in January of the following year.
Weeks after he was released from the hospital, he wrote in his journal as to why he decided to stay in the Harry Potter franchise, playing the potion professor Snape.
He wrote: “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.'”
In 2007, Rickman opened up about his thoughts on his character’s demise written in J.K. Rowling’s final entry in the book series, Deathly Hallow.
“I have finished reading the last ‘Harry Potter’ book,” he wrote.
“Snape dies heroically, Potter describes him to his children as one of the bravest men he ever knew and calls his son Albus Severus.
“This was a genuine rite of passage. One small piece of information from Jo Rowling seven years ago – Snape loved Lily – gave me a cliff edge to hang on to,” Rickman wrote.
Rickman also mentioned his first meeting with Rowling, saying that she used to give him a glimpse of the history of his character.
“She nervously lets me in on a few glimpses of Snape’s background. Talking to her is talking to someone who lives these stories, not invents them,” Rickman wrote in 2000.
He also shared his secret opinions of the Harry Potter stars…
“I still don’t think he’s really an actor but he will undoubtedly direct/produce,” Rickman wrote about Daniel Radcliffe.
But he also called him “sensitive, articulate & smart.”
“These kids need directing,” Rickman wrote. “They don’t know their lines.”
However, he was a fan of the Prisoner of Azkaban.
“It is a very grown-up movie, so full of daring that it made me smile and smile,” he revealed.
However, towards the end of the franchise, Rickman was becoming frustrated.
“I get the character development and the spiffing effects (dazzling), but where is the story????” he wrote.
Yikes!
Rickman also had a few things to share about Emma Watson…
And his time on the set with her.
He said he had issues with Watson’s diction!
Calling it “this side of Albania at times.”
During the second installment of the franchise, Rickman contemplated leaving.
He wrote: “Talking to [agent] Paul Lyon-Maris about HP exit, which he thinks will happen. But here we are in the project-collision area again. Reiterating no more HP. They don’t want to hear it.”
But despite his issues working on the set of Harry Potter…
Rickman thankfully pulled through and saw the franchise to the end due to his character’s heartbreaking story.
What do you think of his comments?