Hope It Gives You Hell: The Perfect Snape: Alan Rickman or Tim Roth

Now, as most of you know, I adore Alan Rickman more than the average bear (nearing 11 years now), so, this in no way is meant to downgrade his performance in anyway. I love his Snape. He's not-quite-nasty, funny, and gorgeous. He also very much looks the part (black greasy hair, intense gaze, hooked nose etc). Now, I am also a fan of Tim Roth, and since hearing that he was approached for the part of Snape in the films (and turned it down to do the horrid planet of the apes remake), I've always been just a bit curious. How would he interpret the character (especially with the same info JKR gave Alan)? So, this is just a look into his past performances, just to ponder.

Now, Snape from the books, in my imagination, has always been a hybrid of Alan and Tim. Alan's voice for instance is a large factor. But it isn't his face that goes with it, it's much gaunter looking, like Tim's in some of his films.

Now, here are the pros and cons of each actor:

Alan:

Tall, graceful, deep voice, intimidating, wears black really well, emotional eyes, hooked nose, pale

Age (too much older than book Snape), not as thin as he used to be (goes with age), too large (when he was young, Alan was skinny as hell, but now he has gotten broader), due to Alan's age, they had to increase the age of the Marauders as well.

Tim:

Age (in his forties now, but closer in age, Snape died at 38), very skinny/slim, hooked nose, pale, intense, short but still intimidating

Height (only 5'7"), not graceful (walks with a limp due to being born with leg issues), doesn't have the velvety voice like Alan.

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Quotes:

"Harry spun around. There, his black robes rippling in a cold breeze, stood Severus Snape. He was a thin man with sallow skin, a hooked nose and greasy, shoulder-length black hair, and at this moment, he was smiling in a way that told Harry he and Ron were in very deep trouble." (CS5)

-Now, Snape has never actually been described as being tall. He's always described as skinny, or thin. So, he most likely would be average height (5'10" - 6'0"). Alan is just above average (6'1") and Tim is quite below average, but height doesn't seem to matter, so in this case, either one is alright.

"And there he was, at a table right behind Harry. Harry stared. Snape-the-teenager had a stringy, pallid look about him, like a plant kept in the dark. His hair was lank and greasy and was flopping onto the table, his hooked nose barely half an inch from the surface of the parchment as he scribbled." (OP28)

- Tim resembles both young and adult Snape. He has the hooked nose, and so does Alan Rickman (I actually think Alan's nose suits snape better :p). Tim also has that gaunt appearance, and occasionally looks too skinny (depends on the movie). After watching the movie "Made in Britain" where Tim plays a troubled youth that's part of a white power gang (Death Eaters anyone?).

"DON'T -" screamed Snape, and his face was suddenly demented, inhuman, as though he was in as much pain as the yelping, howling dog stuck in the burning house behind them - "CALL ME COWARD!" (HBP28)

-In the movie, they screwed this scene up. Snape is supposed to be all emotional and angsty, they portrayed him as calm and cold. Dude, no. Harry just hit a nerve. I know Alan can play emotional, but I also know Tim can. You can watch "Vincent and Theo" for example.

"The hillstop faded and Harry stood in Dumbledore's office, and something was making a terrible sound, like a wounded animal. Snape was slumped forward in a chair and Dumbledore was standing over him, looking grim. "I thought... you were going ... to keep her ... safe ... " (DH)

- Another emotional scene, and I hope they don't mess this up. I've scene Alan cry, and he does it very well (got me all emotional yo), and I've scene Tim cry. Since I haven't seen DH yet, I can't judge, but after watching their performances in their movies, I believe it would be an easy tie.