Rupert Grint recalled iconic moment that proves Alan Rickman was spot on casting for Snape

When you look back at the Harry Potter movies, it's impossible to think of anyone else playing the roles.

Like, Harry Potter is Daniel Radcliffe, Robbie Coltrane is Hagrid. I mean, they just are.

And one actor who was so obviously perfect for his character was Alan Rickman, who played the complicated Professor Snape.

Fans of the books and the films will know all about his story arc, how at first he's seen as Harry's enemy but as the series goes on becomes a close ally.

And back in the day, Rupert Grint, who played Potter's right-hand man Ron Weasley in the movies, recalled a story that showed exactly why it had to be Rickman who brought the character to life.

Warner Bros.

Clips from interviews shot at the time have been shared online, with Grint explaining how he put his foot right in it on the set of the first film.

"One time, in potions lesson with Snape, who's really scary, I was just doodling with a quill in my book," the young actor explained.

"I drew this rather unpretty picture of Alan Rickman, and as I was drawing it Alan Rickman was standing right behind me, and I was so scared."

Years later, he recounted the tense moment in another interview.

Grint said: "The picture wasn't nice either, I think I exaggerated a few features - I am not going into details about it."

Now, you'd imagine that a big Hollywood star wouldn't be best pleased about some little kid taking the p**s out of him so brazenly, right?

Well, apparently not.

Reddit/Warner Bros.

Speaking about the incident, Rickman said: "I made him sign it and I have it in my possession. And I'm very fond of it."

Sadly, in 2018, the Die Hard star passed away after having been diagnosed with terminal cancer.

The clip has been doing the rounds again on social media, with fans sharing their love for the late actor and his performance in the series.

"You can hate the author and you can hate the franchise, but you can’t deny the fact that the casting director’s decisions for the actors wasn’t absolutely brilliant," wrote one fan.

Another commented: "Alan Rickman was a treasure."

"Alan Rickman was spot on casting for snape," put a third fan.

While someone else added: "Snape was without a doubt, the best played character in the films."

What. A. Legend.

Topics: UK News, TV and Film, Harry Potter, Rupert Grint

Dominic Smithers

Dominic Smithers is LADbible's Editorial Lead. After graduating from the University of Leeds with a degree in French and History, he went on to write for the Manchester Evening News, the Accrington Observer and the Macclesfield Express. So as you can imagine, he’s spent many a night wondering just how useful that second language has been. But c'est la vie.

@SmithersDom