In a small interview with Entertainment Weekly, the actor who plays Snape in the Potter films reveals he'll begin filming his parts for Half-Blood Prince in early February:

EW: Okay, I think your wranglers are giving me the signal, but I have to say, even before I got to the end of the Harry Potter books —
Rickman: Before you go any further, I never, ever talk about that character. Number one, because it's not fair on kids who haven't read to the end. And for me to say anything — there's a bit of it that just should be left innocent. It's real storytelling, what she's done, and I'm part of that. So I just never talk about it.

EW: When do you go back to shoot Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince?
Rickman: They're shooting six [now], and I start shooting my part of it beginning of February.

EW: It's a bigger part for you this time.
Rickman: Ahh.... There's important stuff. [Smiles]

Actor Alan Rickman, who plays Severus Snape in the Harry Potter films, has recently donated two of his autographed scripts from Goblet of Fire, a signed headshot, and a Hogwarts/Quidditch shirt to an online charity auction. This auction is to support Artists for a New South Africa, which mainly strives to advance human and civil rights in South Africa, among other many objectives. Bidding ends on December 14th.

The Professor Snape actor turns 61 today. Thanks to everyone who e-mailed with the reminder!

The actor who plays Snape in the HP films spoke recently in an interview about his new movie, Snow Cake, and a little about Order of the Phoenix. You can see a video of this interesting chat here. Thanks to those who emailed!

A recent interview was conducted with Alec Hopkins, the actor portraying young Severus Snape in Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix. He discusses filming, talking with Alan Rickman, and how he ended up with the role.

Alan Rickman spent a couple of hours having a chat with me about the part and obviously that was nerve wracking; there was me as a nobody and then this famous actor. He's very serious about acting but he likes to joke around. It was really nice and it surprised me - I thought a big star would be different but he was so nice. Everyone is really nice but it's very daunting. You don't realise how many people there are and if you messed up you'd be so embarrassed. It's been a great privilege just to be part of it. It's not just a film, but it's a Harry Potter film.

Thanks to HPANA for the tip!

Scotland on Sunday has posted an interview with the Snape actor. In it he discusses being a "baddie" in movies such as Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves, Die Hard - plus several more. With a note of sarcasm, Rickman says, "Oh, God, it's years since I played the villain ... I haven't played a baddie for ages." The article talks not only about how playing the role of villain has made him quite desirable among women, but also about upcoming parts in plays and films.

Thanks to HJS for sending this to us.