James & Lily casting

[backstagemystic <idcre@imap2.asu.edu>]

"GulPlum" wrote:
>>To be fair to the movie makers, there is no indication *in canon* 
about how old they are [edit]<<
>>...[snip] we fans know of the extra-canon detail that Snape (and 
thus the others) are in their mid-30s (presumably in PoA) [edit]...<<

When I first read the books, I had the impression (as did many others)
that Snape was somewhere around the age of 40.

His very demeanor and mannerisms...his austerity, presence, 
intelligence, discipline, word-choice, ability to command attention, 
his extensive knowledge of potions, etc just struck me as being of 
that of a by and large more mature adult...and even his physical 
description suggests a man who's seen some wear and tear.

Snape just has the feel of a man who's been around the block a few 
times and has the scars to show it... but he's not yet reached an age 
where the tell-tale signs of wisdom, thoughtful reflection and 
patience start kicking in.   

He's clearly had a hard life, even if we only know a smattering of 
details (we can make respectable guesses)...and he's been around long 
enough to become hardened, cynical and embittered.

Yet there's still those traces of an anrgy young man:  He harbors a 
lot of rage, resentment and jealousy...and has a nasty, often 
childish and petty, vindictive streak running through him.  There's 
an underlying hint of an insecure person desperately seeking respect, 
who's unsure of his mark and his worth in the world and is seemingly 
disappointed that he hasn't become more than he has.

And though he is often fearless and quick to take command when need 
arises, he's also clearly aware of where the lines of authority lie, 
and quickly defers to that authority with little pressing.  This is 
especially true with Dumbledore, where one almost gets the feel of a 
father/son relationship at times. Unlike "Minerva", who is often on a 
first-name basis with "Albus," Snape always addresses Dumbledore 
as "Headmaster."

So I was stunned when I found out from an interviews with JKR that 
Snape was "35 or 6" (in another interview, she stated he was in 
his "late thirties")...unless she meant that was his age at the time 
of the first book, which seems a bit more believable to me.

Otherwise, I just have a very hard time with the notion that Lily and 
James were only around 20 years old when they had Harry...that just 
seems like an awfully young age for a bright, talented couple to have 
a child.   One would be more inclined to think they went on to some 
sort of university or at least got out and established themselves in 
the world before beginning the huge responsibility that is raising a 
family.

Also, in the first book, we have Percy telling Harry that Snape's 
been after Quirrel's job for years...indicating that Snape's been a 
professor at Hogwarts for many terms.  And considering that Hogwarts 
is supposed to be the finest school of its kind, one would think that 
only the most talented, qualified and experienced would be allowed to 
grace the ranks of the faculty (don't even ask me to explain 
Lockhart)...making me feel that Snape wouldn't have come on board as 
a professor until he was in his mid to late 20's at the 
earliest...but that's just me.

>>That said, we shouldn't forget that Rickman was *JKR's choice* 
(i.e. the casting director didn't suggest Rickman to her, but she 
asked them to get Rickman involved, which was also the case with 
Coltrane and Smith, and also as I recall, Harris). Rickman is in his 
mid-fifties, and his Snape makeup takes off (IMO) about 6-7, perhaps 
as much as 10, years off that. The result is that Snape appears in 
the movies to be somewhere in his mid-forties. *With JKR's 
blessing*.<<

Rickman is a brilliant choice for the role - he's absolutely nailed 
Snape on the head.  And between the makeup and the fact that Rickman 
has aged very well (he more than has the energy, fitness and 
intensity), he's easily believable for the part.  The same can be 
said for Maggie Smith, who is also a brilliant choice for her role as 
McGonagall.

I'm more than willing to engage my "willing suspension of disbelief"
and overlook age discrepancies (a Snape that looks all of 10 years 
older than he's supposed to be just doesn't bother me) if it means 
getting the right actors for the roles...and Rickman and Smith 
qualify as "right" in my book.  

And for what it's worth, I feel the same for the young actors as 
well.  Even though Radcliffe, Watson, Grint, Felton and the rest are 
obviously aging faster than the films can be made, they, too, are 
well cast and have an incredible chemistry together...which, along 
with consistency, is very important to the series.  

It just wouldn't bother me in the slightest if they ended up being 3-
5 years older than the actual age of their characters by the time the 
7th film rolls around (if all 7 films are made, that is, and made 
within a reasonable span of time).

I hope the powers-that-be will retain this incredible cast, both 
adult and youth, for as long as they're willing and able to play the 
roles.  

BM