Letters from the late actor Alan Rickman reveal he was "frustrated" with his "Harry Potter" role as Professor Severus Snape.
The actor’s disappointment with his portrayal of the J.K. Rowling character is expressed in letters that are part of a collection of 38 boxes of material forming “the archive of one of Britain's most brilliant and best-loved actors,” which is being released for auction by Neil Pearson Rare books.
Also included in the collection are Rickman’s personal photographs, fan mail, and diary entries.
In a letter to Rickman, producer David Heyman thanked the actor for his work in 2002’s “Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets.”
He assured the Rickman that his contribution to the film helped to make it “a success.” He added, “I know, at times, you are frustrated, but please know that you are an integral part of the films. And you are brilliant.”
In a note the actor called “Inside Snape’s Head,” Rickman expressed annoyance with director David Yates on the set of a later Harry Potter film, “The Half-Blood Prince”: “It is as if David Y. has decided that this is not important in the scheme of things i.e. teen audience appeal,” Rickman wrote.
Also included in the auction are Rickman’s scripts with his lines highlighted and extensive notes handwritten by the actor, Yahoo News reported.
Rickman also corresponded extensively with “Harry Potter” author Rowling.
“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. Thank *you* for doing justice to my most complex character,” one Rowling letter said.
Also included in the auction are Rickman’s scripts from his other roles, including the one he played in “Die Hard.” The auction house included a photo of the “Die Hard” script in a tweet.
Rickman died at the age of 69 in January 2016 after battling cancer.
Frustrated or not, people on social media believed Rickman was perfect in the “Harry Potter” role.
Others questioned the idea of selling Rickman’s personal letters.
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