Emma Thompson on Alan Rickman’s Most Challenging Role
Emma Thompson reveals how Alan Rickman’s iconic villainous turn in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves brought unexpected difficulties to his career, despite his longing for more heroic roles.
Alan Rickman’s career is often remembered for his knack for playing the antagonist, but Emma Thompson has shed light on a side of him that rarely made it to the screen. During a recent conversation, Thompson reminisced about working alongside Rickman, particularly recalling his delight at finally being cast as a character with a bit more virtue.
“Alan Rickman, God rest him, he was so happy to be playing someone heroic and nice,”
she said, reflecting on their time together in Sense and Sensibility.
“Because he was so fed up with people wanting him to be the Sheriff of Nottingham.”
Rickman’s portrayal of the Sheriff in Robin Hood: Prince of Thieves is still talked about, not least because of the way he managed to steal every scene he was in. The 1991 film saw him at his most flamboyant, threatening all sorts of mayhem and even earning a BAFTA nod for his efforts. Yet, this role, while celebrated, seemed to cement his reputation as the go-to villain, something that didn’t always sit well with him.
Typecast as the Villain
After his breakout as Hans Gruber in Die Hard, Rickman found himself repeatedly cast as the adversary. The Sheriff of Nottingham only reinforced this pattern, making it difficult for him to break away from the shadow of the villain. Audiences loved to hate him, but for Rickman, the constant demand to play the baddie became a bit of a professional headache.
Thompson’s recollection highlights just how much Rickman relished the opportunity to play Colonel Brandon, a character worlds apart from his more notorious roles. It was a rare chance for him to show a different side, one that didn’t involve plotting or menacing the hero at every turn.
Moments of Heroism
Despite the public’s appetite for his darker characters, Rickman did manage to slip in a few more sympathetic roles over the years. In Truly, Madly, Deeply, he played a devoted partner from beyond the grave, while in Dogma, he took on the part of Metatron, the voice of God, with a wry sense of humour. Then there was his turn as Alexander Dane in Galaxy Quest, a role that allowed him to poke fun at his own image while still saving the day.
These performances, though less frequent, offered a glimpse of the range Rickman possessed. They also provided him with a welcome break from the endless parade of villains, even if audiences seemed to prefer him with a sneer and a wicked plan.
Legacy Beyond the Antagonist
Whether he was plotting against the hero or standing firmly on the side of good, Rickman’s presence on screen was always magnetic. The roles that brought him the most recognition may have been those of the villain, but his talent was never limited to a single type. As Thompson’s memories make clear, Rickman’s own preferences didn’t always align with the parts he was offered, but he brought a distinctive flair to every character, regardless of their moral compass.