It was the first in the series to extensively use real-life locations, with sets built in Scotland and scenes shot in London. Principal photography began in February 2003, at Leavesden Film Studios. It was the first appearance of Michael Gambon as Professor Albus Dumbledore, due to Richard Harris' death in 2002. The cast of previous instalments returned for the film, with the additions of Gary Oldman, David Thewlis, and Emma Thompson, among others. Cuarón was selected as director from a shortlist that included Callie Khouri and Kenneth Branagh. With Prisoner of Azkaban, production of the Harry Potter films switched to an eighteen-month cycle. The film follows Harry's third year at Hogwarts and his quest to uncover the truth about his past, including the connection recently-escaped Azkaban prisoner Sirius Black has to Harry and his late parents.
The film stars Daniel Radcliffe as Harry Potter, with Rupert Grint as Ron Weasley, and Emma Watson as Hermione Granger. Produced by Chris Columbus, David Heyman, and Mark Radcliffe and written by Steve Kloves, it is the sequel to Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets (2002) and the third instalment in the Harry Potter film series. Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban is a 2004 fantasy film directed by Alfonso Cuarón and distributed by Warner Bros.
