Remakes have collectively gained a very bad reputation in Hollywood. Fans have started to see through the rose-colored glasses and recognize the attempts to be what they are: a way for studios to make more cash. The Harry Potter franchise ended a little over a decade ago.
While it has been a while since the last film was released, it is not nearly enough to require a reboot. However, HBO is still going forward with it, ignoring the majority of the fans who do not want the memory of the series to be ruined because of a poor attempt at making more money.
Keeping this in mind, it is not surprising that fans are not happy about the casting choice that has just been announced.
Severus Snape’s story is about to get a lot more complicated
Severus Snape is a very important character in the Harry Potter franchise. Some fans might argue that no character possesses the same level of complexity that he does and he pushes the boundaries of morality in some of the most interesting ways possible.
Going from an almost antagonistic role in the first films to becoming one of the most painful deaths in the series, fans have a special place in their hearts for Snape. While one might argue that he was a bad person, his backstory and true intentions were more than enough to sway the opinions of the fans.
With how beloved he is, one can imagine that fans would be very critical of whoever takes on the mantle from Alan Rickman, who did a perfect job in the original franchise. It was recently reported by Deadline that Paapa Essiedu is about to close the deal and be officially cast in the reboot.
However, there are many reasons why fans believe this to be a terrible idea, along with other casting news that has come out.
The Harry Potter reboot is making some very poor decisions
Upon hearing the speculation surrounding Severus Snape’s casting online, fans quickly took to X to talk about their opinions. Race-swapping has become quite a controversial move in Hollywood. However, fans collectively agree that the only way that it could work is if the change adds to the character instead of taking away from it.
With this, fans are not happy with the possibility of Paapa Essiedu playing Snape in the Harry Potter reboot as it would take quite a lot away, not just from his character, but several others. They started by mentioning that Essiedu was too handsome to play a character who spent most if his life being bullied.
I mean besides the fact that I wish HBO wasn’t moving forward with this project, and besides the fact that he’s way too traditionally handsome, I think that this is a prime example of how changing the races of certain characters Just Because needlessly complicates the narrative. https://t.co/WN0XDQoR2E
— Ashley Reese (@offbeatorbit) March 7, 2025
beating the jk rowling is a nazi allegations by turning everyone’s favorite mauraders into the klan
— poyo 💕 (@spiderypoyo) March 7, 2025
If you make Snape hot and a different race, the story goes from “Potters mom rejected me, hence I disdain” to “Potters mom was RACIST”
— Cerebral Caesarean (@CerebralCSarean) March 7, 2025
I wonder if they considered the optics of 4 white kids relentlessly bullying a poor, black kid for years lmao two of whom were very rich and pureblood as well, like… assuming they cast white ppl for the marauders, that is. not 2 mention the nazi-analogue cult snape joins.
— ang (@trymeasureloss) March 7, 2025
a black snape adds a layer of straight up racism 2 characters that wasnt there before. is the show prepared 2 acknowledge minimum that theres smth #weird w how james & sirius (& remus by association) harassed a poor, black kid for yrs for basically no reason? IDT they will.
— ang (@trymeasureloss) March 7, 2025
Which brought them to the next point. Assuming that all of the Marauders are cast with caucasian actors, it would not be a very good look if they were all bullying this version of Snape. Since they are supposed to be the good guys, however flawed, presenting them in the slightest racist light would not go well with audiences.
Finally, many fans believe the Death Eaters to be a metaphor for Nazis with their belief in pureblood and extreme measures to implement such a lifestyle. With this in mind, having a person of color join them and be very high in their ranks does not track with his character. Considering this, one can see that this creative liberty is not being taken well by fans.
This post belongs to FandomWire and first appeared on FandomWire
