“I wasn’t ready to be on a lunch box”: Marvel Star Tim Roth Refused Fan-Favorite Harry Potter Role After Nearly Committing Career Suicide In $362M Movie With Mark Wahlberg

"I wasn't ready to be on a lunch box": Marvel Star Tim Roth Refused Fan-Favorite Harry Potter Role After Nearly Committing Career Suicide In $362M Movie With Mark Wahlberg
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Tim Roth has been an incredible actor, starring in multiple million-dollar projects. In every role he has undertaken, he has captivated his audiences due to his intense yet charismatic portrayal. Now when the majority of us might link Tim Roth to Marvel, he shares an unexpected link to the hit Harry Potter franchise.

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Tim Roth was the first choice to play Severus Snape
Tim Roth was the first choice to play Severus Snape

Many of us cannot dare imagine anyone else than Alan Rickman portraying the role of Severus Snape, but the role wasn’t his, to begin with. Tim Roth was the first choice of the Producers’ of the blockbuster franchise. Although much to the Producers’ disappointment, Tim Roth denied the role.

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Tim Roth Denied To Play The Role Of Severus Snape

After Roth's refusal, the role went to Alan Rickman
After Roth’s refusal, the role went to Alan Rickman

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Severus Snape is one of the most unforgettable characters in the Harry Potter Universe. Alan Rickman undoubtedly did an extraordinary job in bringing the character to life. Thus, many of us would rather puke than have anyone else star as Severus Snape. To hear Tim Roth was the initial choice to play the enigmatic character was shocking, to say the least. Well, the Incredible Hulk actor denied the role right away.

“I just thought, ‘I’ll be on every lunchbox or whatever it is. I’ll be known for that role.'”

Even though he was interested in the Harry Potter franchise, at that time Roth didn’t think he could play the same role for seven years. Tim Roth explained how his children were adamant about him taking up the role, but the requirement of him to fly back and forth between projects would have rendered him useless for either of his roles.

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Roth despite being disappointed for a while seeing the fan base and impact the series had worldwide, expressed the role went to the better man. And we certainly can’t deny that Alan Rickman was more than perfect for the iconic role, although it would have been interesting to see Tim Roth’s approach to the role.

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Tim Roth Chose To Star In Planet Of The Apes

Planet of The Apes 2001 was a box-office disappointment
Planet of The Apes 2001 was a box-office disappointment

Before getting the role of Severus Snape in the Harry Potter series, Roth had already agreed to star in the 2001 $362M Planet of the Apes alongside Mark Wahlberg. Ironically, Planet of the Apes, a remake, did not fear well among the critics as well as the audience. The franchise was quickly snuffed out due to its toned-down and comical storyline.

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While Roth’s role in the movie was somewhat appreciated due to his un-ape-like mannerism and ruthless yet comical demeanor, the movie failed to make its mark. Ruth surely missed out on the opportunity of a lifetime when he chose not to star in Harry Potter. But ask any Potterhead, they would readily agree, express gratitude, and even go as far as thanking Tim Roth personally for not taking up the role of Severus Snape.

You can stream the Harry Potter franchise on HBO Max.

Source: Metro.Co.UK

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Written by Maria Sultan

Articles Published: 1153

Maria Sultan is a News Content Writer at FandomWire. Having honed her skills are a Freelance and Professional content writer for more than 5 years (and counting), her expertise spans various genres and content type. A Political Science and History Graduate, her deep interest in the world around shapes her writing, blending her insights across diverse themes.

Outside the realm of writing, Maria can be often found buried in the world of books or pursuing art or engaged in fervent discussions about anything or everything, her passions balanced by binge watching Kdramas, Anime, Movies or Series during leisure hours.