Justin Long Says Working with 'Generous' Alan Rickman onGalaxy QuestWas 'One of the Greatest Gifts'

Mar. 15, 2025

Jeremy Howard, Alan Rickman and Justin Long circa 1999.Photo:Justin Long/Instagram

Justin Long/Instagram

Justin Longis looking back with gratitude asGalaxy Questturns 25 — specifically, for the people he worked with, including the lateAlan Rickman.

Long made his film debut in the 1999 sci-fi comedy, which also starredTim Allen,Sigourney Weaver,Tony ShalhoubandSam Rockwell.

According to Long, the photo “was taken at a party that Alan threw for everyone in the cast and crew.”

“I’d formed an idea of who Alan Rickman might be based solely on the incredible performances I’d seen him give as villains in movies like ‘Die Hard’ and ‘Robin Hood’ — my experience with him as a person was the exact opposite of that,” Long wrote. “He was so kind, generous, and yes, dry (VERY dry) but in such a playful spirited way.”

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Justin Long and Alan Rickman inGalaxy Quest(1999).Univeral Pictures; Univeral Pictures/Shutterstock

Univeral Pictures; Univeral Pictures/Shutterstock

Long said he “think(s) about” Rickman “often, and when I look back on that experience a quarter century later, one of the greatest gifts that came from it was getting to know and work with an actor like Alan. And Sam. I now know how rare they are.”

MakingGalaxy Quest, Long also wrote, “was my first time on a movie set, my first time in LA, one of my first plane rides, and my first time meeting Sam Rockwell (pic 2).”

“I’m really appreciative of@mrjeremyhowardfor sending me this pic of one of the all time greatest actors (and people) kindly obliging two giddy young actors who were just embarking on a fun and wildly fulfilling 25 year adventure,” he added of the photo with Rickman.

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Sam Rockwell and Justin Long circa 1999.Justin Long/Instagram

While reminiscing about the movie with Rockwell, 56, on theHappy Sad Confusedpodcast, Long ponderedthe idea of a sequel.

As for where his character Brandon would be in a follow-up, Long said, “What I heard is that he had become quite successful.”

source: people.com