Gary Oldman revealed an “extraordinary” tradition that Alan Rickman followed while filming Harry Potter. He recalled how Rickman went beyond his role as Snape to make the experience for young fans. Rickman regularly brought children on Harry Potter sets.
Gary Oldman reveals the “extraordinary” tradition Alan Rickman kept up for children while filming the Harry Potter movies
Gary Oldman shared a tradition Alan Rickman followed while filming the Harry Potter movies. While reflecting on Rickman’s legacy at the Toronto International Film Festival on Thursday, Oldman spoke about his friend and co-star. He said, “Alan was kind of like the cheerleader of it. He was into it, he was doing it, so he was with it and committed to it.”
Oldman spoke about his friend Rickman, who died in 2016 at the age of 69. Oldman recalled how Rickman would “bring in kids every single day” to their set so children could explore Harry Potter sets in person.
He added, “He would bring them in from a school, he’d bring them in from the hospital, he’d bring friends and their kids in every single day for lunchtimes and things. He’d take kids around to tour the sets, and we’d meet them.”
“He thought that was the most extraordinary thing, that he was in this world that he got to be in, come in every day, and that he knew how much it meant to these kids. So, he wanted to share it,” he added.
The Fifth Element and Slow Horses actor recalled that he would never forget Rickman’s kindness, adding that, “He was such a darling like that.”
Oldman spoke to the audience gathered to watch a presentation on the Oscar winner’s career, according to Entertainment Weekly.
Alan Rickman died in 2016 after fighting a battle with pancreatic cancer. Rickman played Snape in all eight Harry Potter movies, and Oldman played Sirius Black in four Harry Potter movies. The actors shared a close bond.
