Harry Potter: Not Alan Rickman but THIS actor was offered to play the role of Professor Severus Snape

In the Harry Potter films, the character of Severus Snape played a pivotal and morally complex role. Alan Rickman, who portrayed Snape, is now inseparable from the character in fans’ minds. However, before Rickman, there was another actor in consideration for the role.

Professor Severus Snape’s role was almost played by this actor

British actor Tim Roth, known for playing Emil Blonsky in The Incredible Hulk was chosen to play Severus Snape in Harry Potter. Ultimately, the role went to Rickman, leaving us to ponder how differently Roth might have portrayed the enigmatic character. Snape’s character is central to the Harry Potter series. He blurs the lines between hero and villain, switching sides throughout the story, and it’s challenging to label him as purely good or bad. His true motivations and loyalties remain shrouded in mystery until his death. Snape’s importance lies in his role as a double agent, brilliantly serving both sides without detection.

Why did Tim Roth turn down Professor Snape’s role in Harry Potter?

The decision not to cast Tim Roth as Snape is intriguing. He had several similarities to the character, including age. However, Roth declined the role because he didn’t want to be typecast. He believed that accepting the role would make him forever associated with it. Instead, he chose to play Thade in Tim Burton’s Planet of the Apes. Roth’s choice paved the way for Alan Rickman’s iconic portrayal.

Alan Rickman was a perfect fit for Snape. His performance was so captivating that it’s nearly impossible to envision anyone else in the role. Rickman embraced the moral ambiguity of Snape, making it easy to both despise and empathize with the character. His distinctive speech pattern added depth and humor to Snape’s persona, without diminishing his seriousness. He fully embodied the role, creating a memorable character.

Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Snape

Alan Rickman’s portrayal of Snape was so outstanding that he is often considered J.K. Rowling’s inspiration when writing the character. While Tim Roth might have made a good Snape, there’s no denying that Rickman’s performance set the gold standard. His untimely passing left a void in the Harry Potter universe, but his legacy as the iconic Professor Severus Snape remains indelible. So, even though we’ll never know exactly how Tim Roth would have interpreted the character, Alan Rickman’s contribution to Snape’s legend is undeniable. Harry Potter fans worldwide will forever associate Rickman with the role, and it’s challenging to imagine the films without him.