NEWS - Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

[Enchanted]

>From comingsoon.net
Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban Starts Production
Thursday, February 20, 2003 11:38 CST

Warner Bros. Pictures' Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will
commence principal photography in Leavesden, England, on February 24, it was
announced today by Jeff Robinov, President of Production, Warner Bros.
Pictures.

Renowned actors Gary Oldman, Timothy Spall (Nicholas Nickleby), Michael
Gambon (Gosford Park), David Thewlis (Timeline), Pam Ferris (Mathilda) and
Paul Whitehouse (star of the BBC's The Fast Show) have joined the esteemed
ensemble cast of the film, which is being directed by Academy Award nominee
Alfonso Cuaron (Y Tu Mama Tambien) and produced by David Heyman, Chris
Columbus and Mark Radcliffe.

The executive producers of the film are Michael Barnathan and Callum
McDougall. The screenplay is by Steve Kloves.

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Harry Potter and his friends
Ron and Hermione return as teenagers to Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and
Wizardry for their third year of study, where they delve into the mystery
surrounding an escaped prisoner who poses a dangerous threat to the young
wizard.

"We couldn't be more excited about 'Harry Potter and the Prisoner of
Azkaban' being in the hands of such a relentlessly imaginative director as
Alfonso Cuaron, and are thrilled about the new actors he has assembled to
join our already established cast," said David Heyman.

"To be entrusted with such rich and beloved material, and given the
opportunity to collaborate with this extraordinary cast and crew on the next
Harry Potter adventure is an honor," Alfonso Cuaron said. "I look forward to
bringing this intricate story to the screen and sharing it with film
audiences around the world."

"I'm so proud to have been involved in this truly amazing film series, both
as a director and a producer," added Chris Columbus. "I look forward to
seeing it grow as Alfonso and the cast and crew further our imaginations
with their truly inspired work."

In Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, Gary Oldman plays Sirius Black,
the eponymous prisoner whose escape is thought to pose a great threat to
Harry Potter; Michael Gambon plays the role of Professor Dumbledore,
Hogwarts' venerable headmaster; Timothy Spall portrays Peter Pettigrew, an
old friend of Harry's father, James Potter, from their days at Hogwarts;
David Thewlis plays Professor Lupin, the new Defense Against the Dark Arts
Professor who harbors a mysterious secret; Pam Ferris plays Harry's
overbearing Aunt Marge; and Paul Whitehouse portrays Sir Caddogan, a Knight
who becomes the temporary guardian of Gryffindor Tower.

Reprising their roles from Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets are
Daniel Radcliffe in the title role; Emma Watson as Hermione Granger; Rupert
Grint as Ron Weasley; Robbie Coltrane as Hagrid; David Bradley as Argus
Filch; Tom Felton as Draco Malfoy; Richard Griffiths as Uncle Vernon
Dursley; Robert Hardy as Cornelius Fudge; Alan Rickman as Professor Snape;
Fiona Shaw as Aunt Petunia Dursley; Dame Maggie Smith as Professor
McGonagall; Julie Walters as Mrs. Weasley; and Mark Williams as Mr. Weasley.

-Enchanted
Welcome to the world of Harry Potter
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