Many of us knew Alan Rickman as the skillful yet cold half-blood potions master at Hogwarts in the Harry Potter franchise. As his story unraveled, many of us even fell in love with Severus Snape.
Rickman, who lost his battle to pancreatic cancer in 2016, recorded his thoughts of his Harry Potter journey in one of his many diaries. The diary, which also contains other film and political accounts spans the nearly 11 years he spent filming eight HP films.
Excerpts from Rickman's diaries will be published in the upcoming book Madly, Deeply: The Alan Rickman Diaries. The collection of entries gives readers a glimpse into Rickman's unfiltered thoughts of the filming process as well as the people involved.
In one of the entries, published by The Guardian, Rickman recounts considering exiting the franchise:
“But here we are in the project-collision area again. Reiterating no more HP. They don’t want to hear it.”
"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.'"
We also gain an insight to Rickman's feelings about fellow actors.
About Daniel Radcliffe, he wrote:
“I still don’t think he’s really an actor but he will undoubtedly direct/produce."
After lunch with Radcliffe one day, he shared:
"One minute he was 12 now he’s 19. When did that happen? And he’s sensitive, articulate & smart."
Rickman later wrote:
"...these kids need directing. They don’t know their lines and Emma [Watson]’s diction is this side of Albania at times."
We also learn of some of his honest thoughts as well as some issues with the films:
"The desire to eat and even more get a drink is matched only by the need to bang the three Davids’ heads against the nearest wall. I get the character development and the spiffing effects, but where is the story????"
Rickman is referring to Harry Potter producers David Heyman and David Barron and director David Yates.
The actor also revealed the author of the Harry Potter series shared important details with him.
"… I have finished reading the last Harry Potter book. 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."
Many chimed in on Twitter with great anticipation for the book's release.
\u201c@HuffPost Been waiting 4EVER for this 2 be released, & it BETTER be just Vol. 1, since #AlanRickman was keeping diaries over 25 yrs! \n\nDown to just 21 day wait left! Yes!\n\nI love that it was named for my FAVE movie of his..."Truly, Madly, Deeply". Find it. Watch it!\nhttps://t.co/ELE6PA1nGr\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1664222153
\u201c@HuffPost I loved this guys acting ever since I saw Prince of Thieves as a kid. I'd watch everything he was in. A natural comedian. I will certainly be investing in his book.\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1664222153
\u201c@HuffPost I will buy this, probably on @audibleuk audio book just to hear his beautiful voice once more.Tinged with sadness of course after his premature death. What an actor. Probably known by most for bringing Severus Snape to life in Harry Potter, but Alan Rickman was about so much more\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1664222153
\u201c@HuffPost I have been reading some exerpts and my head reads them in his voice :)\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1664222153
\u201c@HuffPost Snape tea.\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1664222153
\u201c@HuffPost @sueunyin Can't wait to read it ordered it way back .. no spoilers for me lol will wait too read it in one !\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1664222153
\u201c@HuffPost Buy the book!\u201d— HuffPost (@HuffPost) 1664222153
Though some shared Rickman's thoughts should have been kept private after his passing, Rickman reportedly planned on publishing his chronicles.
Madly, Deeply: The Diaries of Alan Rickman will be released October 18 and is available for pre-order now.
