Alan Rickman ‘Frustrated’ Playing Snape in ‘Harry Potter’ Films, Late Actor’s Letters Reveal
The late actor’s letters are going up for auction in London and have been valued at £950,000
Beatrice Verhoeven | May 29, 2018 @ 8:09 AM
Last Updated: May 29, 2018 @ 8:12 AM
WB
Alan Rickman’s personal letters revealed he was frustrated at times playing Severus Snape in the “Harry Potter” franchise.
According to The Independent, producer David Heyman wrote one letter to the late actor, who died in 2016, for working on “The Chamber of Secrets.”
“Thank you for making ‘HP2’ a success.” the letter read. “I know, at times, you are frustrated but please know that you are an integral part of the films. And you are brilliant.”
According to the outlet, Rickman wrote a letter while working on 2009’s “The Half-Blood Prince,” titled “Inside Snape’s Head,” seemingly calling out director David Yates.
“It’s as if David Yates has decided that this is not important in the scheme of things i.e. teen audience appeal,” he wrote.
The Independent notes that the letters are going up for auction at the ABA Rare Book Fair in London and that the letters have been valued at £950,000 ($1.26 billion). People reports that the archive contains 38 boxes filled with photos, fan mail, film scripts and diary entries, as well as a letter from J.K. Rowling herself.
“Just back from weeks away and had to send a line about what you wrote in the souvenir programme for ‘Hallows II.’ Made me very tearful,” she wrote. “Thank *you* for doing justice to my most complex character.”
Alan Rickman 11 Most Brilliant Roles, From Hans Gruber to Severus Snape (Photos)
TheWrap looks back on some of our favorite film roles of the British actor, who died in 2016 at age 69.
Hans Gruber -- "Die Hard" (1988) Rickman lorded over Nakatomi Plaza in this action classic.
Sheriff of Nottingham -- "Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves" (1991) Rickman overcame Kevin Costner's lack of a British accent in this tale of the hero of Sherwood Forest.
Warner Bros
Jamie -- "Truly Madly Deeply" (1990) Rickman reprised his stage role in this story of a couple that not even death could separate.
BBC
Colonel Brandon -- "Sense and Sensibility" (1995) Rickman played the honorable military man and love interest of Kate Winslet in this Jane Austen adaptation.
Columbia Pictures
Grigori Rasputin -- "Rasputin" (1996) Rickman won an Emmy and a Golden Globe for his portrayal of the Russian mystic in this HBO biopic.
HBO
Metatron -- "Dogma" (1999) Rickman was an overworked angel in Kevin Smith's religion-focused comedy.
Lionsgate
Alexander Dane -- "Galaxy Quest" (1999) Rickman played a British actor reduced to rehashing a role from a sci-fi series in this "Star Trek" spoof.
DreamWorks
Harry -- "Love Actually" (2003) Rickman played a married man who becomes infatuated with his secretary in this beloved rom-com.
Universal Pictures
Severus Snape -- the "Harry Potter" films (2001-2011) Hogwarts Potions master made life a little harder for Harry.
Warner Bros
Dr. Alfred Blalock -- "Something the Lord Made" (2004) Rickman teamed with Mos Def in a look at the men who invented bypass surgery.
HBO
Judge Turpin -- "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" (2007) Rickman was a villainous judge facing Johnny Depp's demon barber in this Tim Burton adaptation of the hit Broadway musical.
DreamWorks
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TheWrap looks back on some of our favorite film roles of the British actor, who died in 2016 at age 69
TheWrap looks back on some of our favorite film roles of the British actor, who died in 2016 at age 69.