Key Takeaways:
– Alfonso Cuarón was notably appointed as the director of the third installment of the Harry Potter franchise, The Prisoner of Azkaban, after persuasion from friend Guillermo del Toro.
– Guillermo del Toro played a key role in persuading Cuarón to embrace the Harry Potter franchise due to his unfamiliarity with the series.
– Harry Potter producer David Heyman believed Cuarón, after his achievement with Y tu mamá también, was the ideal choice to direct the third movie.
– Upcoming Harry Potter TV series to have one novel adapted per season, aiming for a 2026 release on Max.
Guillermo del Toro’s Crucial Persuasion
Renowned for his directional glory, Alfonso Cuarón initially hesitated before casting his directorial magic on the Harry Potter universe. It is revealed that he considered the franchise an unlikely fit, had it not been for the persuasive prowess of his friend, Guillermo del Toro. In an interaction with Total Film, the Y tu mamá también director admitted that he felt it odd when he was offered to direct The Prisoner of Azkaban as he was quite unfamiliar with the Harry Potter world. However, his friend del Toro was well-versed in the franchise.
Cuarón recounts, “I speak often with Guillermo, and a couple of days after, I said, ‘You know, they offered me this Harry Potter film, but it’s really weird they offer me this. He said, ‘Wait, you said you haven’t read Harry Potter?’ I said, ‘I don’t think it’s for me.’ He replied in fluent Spanish, ‘You are an arrogant asshole.’ “.
David Heyman’s Choice of Director for Azkaban
This unprecedented exchange came into light as Harry Potter’s producer, David Heyman, shared why he believed Cuarón was the perfect fit for helming the third Potter movie. In his words, “I’d seen Y tu mamá también, which I loved, and I oddly thought he’d be the perfect director for the third Potter.” He further revealed an intriguing comparison between the teenage themes of both the films. Heyman added, “Y tu mamá was about the last moments of being a teenager, and Azkaban was about the first moments of being a teenager.“
As a consequence, fans got a chance to experience the Harry Potter series from a directorial perspective unique to Cuarón, who seamlessly fused a dark yet novel aesthetic into the franchise. Would that the remaining Harry Potter movies had intentionally continued with more such unconventional directorial choices. The year 2022 marks the twentieth anniversary of The Prisoner of Azkaban, an event that is bound to make fans nostalgic.
Harry Potter Universe’s Future Endeavours
While the future of the Fantastic Beasts series is still foggy, Harry Potter is set to weave its charm on the small screen. Warner Bros. has announced the production of a Harry Potter TV series. Each season will adapt an entire novel from the series. The project is currently on the drawing board with the aim of a grand premiere on Max in 2026.
In Conclusion
Undeniably, Alfonso Cuarón’s reluctant journey into the wizarding world of Harry Potter added a unique charm to the acclaimed franchise. This unlikely yet successful association was all thanks to the straightforward persuasions of his friend, Guillermo del Toro. From the silver screen to TV, the Harry Potter franchise continues to cast its spell on fans around the world.
(Source: JoBlo)
