‘Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban’ Is Where the Wizarding World Finally Found Its Magic

Alfonso Cuarón was an unlikely choice to direct Harry Potter.
Directing Prisoner of Azkaban, Cuarón created a unique environment for the cast, encouraging them to dress as their real selves.
The film marked a darker turn for the franchise, introducing mature themes and new characters.

Despite having eight main films and three spinoffs, it can be easy to forget that the Harry Potter franchise has only employed three directors throughout its long run. After Chris Columbus retired from the franchise with the second film, the studio went down a different path, hiring Alfonso Cuarón to oversee the production of Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. Although he was not completely unknown at the time, Cuarón still had a small resume and had no experience with a blockbuster, making his choice an unlikely one, including to himself. Consequently, he employed several unorthodox methods to bond with the cast and understand their characters, creating a unique atmosphere on set. Through his work, the Harry Potter franchise took a darker turn, one that the franchise has fully embraced, while still preserving and even expanding the more fantastic elements. Cuarón might have only spent a brief time involved with the series, but he arguably had more impact on its future than any other filmmaker.