This underrated sci-fi gem proves that Paapa Essiedu has the skills to bring Severus Snape to life in the upcomingHarry Potterremake. Planned for Max as a massive decade-spanning endeavor, the upcomingHarry PotterTV show has been steadily making progress in development. So far, casting for the main younger characters has yet to be confirmed. However,John Lithgow has confirmed he will play Dumbledorein the show while Janet McTeer has been cast as Prof. McGonagall.
One of the bigger casting announcements though was the revelation that Paapa Essiedu is circlingthe role of Severus Snape. The Potions Master of Hogwarts and one of Harry’s most persistent antagonists in the series, Snape is quietly one of the most important characters in the overarching storyline. Luckily, Paapa Essiedu’s critically acclaimed sci-fi gem from 2022 highligths exactly why he’s such a great pick for the character and what he can bring to Snape.
Paapa Essiedu’s starring role inThe Lazarus Projectis a great showcase of the talentsthat the actor can bring tohis casting as Snape in the upcomingHarry Potterremake. Created by Joe Barton,The Lazarus Projectcentered on Essiedu’s George, a Londoner who discovers that a secret organization has been using advanced technology to cause time-loops so they can avert global catastrophes. However, George becomes obsessed with using the technology for himself when his commitment to the group inadvertedly changes his personal timeline and gets the love of his life killed.
With an impressive 100% Rotten Tomatoes Tomatometer score,The Lazarus Projectis an impressive two-season sci-fi story that showcases Essiedu’s talents as an actor. He’s able to bring a depth to George’s grief over Sarah, while also selling the character’s descent into selfish desperation.There’s a deep sense of tragedy to the character that lingers even when he’s doing selfish thingsthat risk countless lives, a romantic spark that quickly develops into something more dangerous. It’s a tricky character to make endearing, something Essiedu is able to accomplish with aplomb.
Lazarus Project Shows Just How Tragic The Harry Potter Remake’s Snape Could Be
The Lazarus ProjectProves Essiedu Can Make Snape A Compelling And Heartbreaking Character
The trick to making Severus Snape compelling in aHarry Potteradaptation is to go beyond the surface level of the character. To Harry (and by extension the audience), Snape comes across as stand-offish, judgmental, and needlessly cruel. However, there’s a deep wealth of sadness to the character, especially in light of his inadvertent role in Lily Potter’s death in the backstory of the books.Snape is someone who has committed mistakes without being a monster, whose love and guilt eventually transforms him into the one of the most tragic figures of the entire story.
The Harry Potter Remake’s Snape & McGonagall Plan Confirms It Hasn’t Abandoned The Movies' Cardinal Rule Completely
The Harry Potter TV show’s recent casting-related announcements suggest that HBO won’t be abandoning the movie series' cardinal actor rule.
The grief Essiedu explores inThe Lazarus Project, especially after being Sarah in a world where they weren’t together, is a great showcase for what he can do with Snape.The Lazarus Projectsshows how Essiedu can keep a morally complex character like Snape as a grounded emotional figure in a fantastical situation. Even whenThe Lazarus Projectbecomes its most sci-fi,Essiedu keeps the character’s core grounded in a painfully felt humanity. It’s exactly the skill-set an actor needs to bring to the role of Snape inHarry Potter, making this casting especially exciting.
