“What the Hell is This?”. Harry Potter Star, Alan Rickman, Almost Turned Down One of his Most Iconic Roles

As a fan who has grown up with Alan Rickman’s iconic performances, I can’t help but marvel at the close call we almost had with “Die Hard.” Imagine a world without Hans Gruber’s chilling delivery of lines like, “Now I have a machine gun, ho-ho-ho!” It’s hard to fathom, isn’t it?


Alan Rickman, a well-respected British stage performer, is primarily recognized worldwide for his iconic roles as Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series and Hans Gruber in Die Hard. Remarkably, this accomplished actor almost didn’t get the chance to be part of what later turned into a cultural phenomenon.

Despite the fact that John McTiernan’s 1988 film is now widely regarded as a highly successful and cherished action cinema classic, the screenplay written by Jeb Stuart and Steven E. de Souza did not resonate with Alan Rickman according to Far Out Magazine.

In Hollywood, the actor received his first movie role, which was for the film “Die Hard”, shortly after his arrival. There was no delay in receiving the offer. Since he was new to the film industry, Rickman’s payment was relatively modest. Yet, a high-grossing blockbuster did not resonate with the seasoned stage actor who had spent years honing his craft in theater.

As a seasoned professional with years of experience in independent filmmaking, I can confidently say that I had little to no knowledge about the bustling city of Los Angeles and its intricate film industry before embarking on my journey. Having spent most of my career honing my skills in smaller, more intimate productions, the prospect of delving into the world of action movies seemed overwhelming and far removed from my comfort zone. Upon reading the script, I found myself questioning, “What on earth is this?” My initial instinct was to decline the offer, as I didn’t see myself fitting into the high-octane, adrenaline-fueled genre that is often synonymous with LA and its action movie scene. However, after much contemplation, I decided to take a leap of faith and venture into uncharted waters, eager to challenge myself and expand my horizons as a filmmaker.

His agents, however, explained what he was offered — a tremendous opportunity.

People and representatives explained to Alan, “It seems you’re mistaken, this isn’t common practice. Given that you’ve just arrived in L.A. for only two days, they’ve already asked you to work on this movie.”

The actor ultimately consented and played a significant role in crafting the movie’s antagonist. For instance, he proposed that Hans Gruber don a suit, allowing for a scene where he could be mistaken as a hostage. Due to his exceptional acting abilities, the performer delivered an unforgettable portrayal of the villain and one of the most iconic roles from the 80s.

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2024-08-12 12:31