Time-Turning Facts About Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban

Time-Turning Facts About Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban


May 28, 2024 | Miles Brucker

Time-Turning Facts About Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban


Being the third instalment in the Harry Potter Franchise, The Prisoner of Azkaban sees the kids back at Hogwarts for another season of learning and near-death adventures.

Enjoy these 42 facts we’ve conjured up about Prisoner of Azkaban.


1. Bloodthirsty

During the movie premier, the whole audience cheered when Hermione punched Draco Malfoy.

Prisoner of Azkaban

Advertisement

2. Housetrained

Ron Weasley’s rat, Scabbers, peed on the star during filming.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban facts Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

3. Homework

After being picked as director, Alfonso Cuarón asked the 3 lead stars to write essays on their characters. Emma Watson wrote a whopping ten pages, Daniel Radcliffe wrote one and Rupert Grint didn’t write anything at all. Grint was the only smart one who went, “what, are you gonna fire me?”

Harry Potter and the goblet of fire FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

4. Teacher’s Pet

Watson impressed the director so much with her essay that he read it aloud to Radcliffe and Grint. I wonder who got the most screen time.

Emma Watson factsGetty Images

Advertisement

5. Hola

Grint and Radcliffe were both inspired enough by Cuarón to study Spanish in school.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsShutterstock

Advertisement

6. Artistic Integrity

Cuarón was so concerned about being able to convey his own vision within the established universe that he almost didn’t take the job.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

7. Secret Admirer

One of Watson’s favorite actors, Emma Thompson, was cast to play Professor Trelawney.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

8. Pack Your Bags

Due to large portions of the scenes being outdoors, the cast and crew lived in Scotland during the filming of Prisoner of Azkaban. It’s not easy moving bags by broomstick.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

 9. Use Your Imagination

Puppets were used as stand-ins during the filming of scenes with the Dementors. CGI was added in later. Imagine trying to act as if a puppet is sucking out your soul.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

10. Therapeutic

Author J.K. Rowling based the Dementors on her struggle with depression.

Emma Watson factsGetty Images

Advertisement

11. Suit Up

Actor Harry Melling lost so much weight that his character Dudley Dursley was almost recast. His job was spared when the studio decided he could wear a fat suit.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

12. Hubba-Hubba

In a scene where Harry had to look particularly astonished, Director Alfonso Cuarón’s pulled Radcliffe aside and coached: "Pretend you're seeing Cameron Diaz in a G-string".

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

13. Art Imitating Life

Rupert Grint shares the same phobia of spiders as his character, Ron.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

14. Stick In The Mud

Rubeus Hagrid’s pet Hippogriff, Buckbeack, was just a beak on a stick during filming.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

15. Grow Up

Buckbeak was originally made to act like a puppy, but was later made more mature at the director’s request.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

16. Where Is Everyone?

There are many Hippogriffs present during the creature’s first appearance in the book. However, Buckbeak was the only one in the movie.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

17. Going In Blind

Alfonso Cuarón had actually never read the Harry Potter books or seen the previous two movies when offered the job of director.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

18. Unemployment Line

Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black, said he took the role because he “needed the work". After taking a year off to spend time with family, his return to the big screen was a hit with fans and his kids at home. Little did he know he’d be working with batman in a few years.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

19. Foreshadowing

A handful of scenes gave J.K. Rowling goosebumps during filming of Azkaban. This was because they were foreshadowing to major events in the final two books of the series. She stated, “People are going to look back on the film and think that those were put in deliberately as clues".

Rowling never revealed what specific scenes she was eluding to, but fans have suggested that Harry’s conversation with Lupin on the bridge (which wasn’t in the books) foreshadows Lilly’s sacrifice and hints at Snape’s relationship with Lilly.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

20. More Or Less

The symbols that appear under Sirius Black’s wanted poster photo translate to “more or less human”.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

21. Seatbelts Everyone

Four tons of weight was placed on the Knight Bus during filming because of fears it would tip over from being too top heavy.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

22. Notice Me

During a promotional appearance for the films release, Radcliffe spotted a female fan standing outside the studio wearing only a Harry Potter towel. She had a sign that read, “Nothing comes between me and Harry Potter". Her parents probably had a sign that said, “We’re not with her”.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

 23. Priorities

Emma Watson said she would put her film salary in the bank for savings. Daniel Radcliffe said his salary was going towards CD’s. Good on him for not pirating, I guess.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer's Stone FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

24. I’ll Take That

When filming wrapped on Prisoner of Azkaban, Emma Watson kept her cloak, wand and the time turner props.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

25. Star Struck

Gary Oldman, who played Sirius Black, was known to be one of Daniel Radcliffe’s favourite actors.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

26. Best Behaviour

Knowing how much he influenced Radcliffe, Gary Oldman worked hard to be at his best during the filming process. He even gave a bass lesson to his young admirer.

Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

27. Who’s That?

Before working together on Prisoner of Azkaban, Emma Watson had never heard of Gary Oldman. Wish I could have seen Radcliffe’s face when he found out.

Emma Watson factsGetty Images

Advertisement

28. In Solemn Memory…

Having been diagnosed with Hodgkin’s Lymphoma after the filming of the second Potter film, Actor Richard Harris insisted that his role as Albus Dumbledore not be recast. Unfortunately, he passed on shortly after Azkaban started filming.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

29. Rain, Rain Go Away

Rain was so constant during outdoor shoots that helicopters were ordered to fly in gravel to keep the cast from falling over on set.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

30. Miscommunication

An idea to turn water into ice when Dementors approached the Hogwarts Express was brought up by director Alfonso Cuarón. Due to his thick Mexican accent, the visual effects team misheard “ice” for “eyes” and had to redo the concept work they had completed.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

31. I See You

Cinema ushers were provided with night vision goggles by Warner Brothers to prevent illegal filming of the movie. I’d be more afraid if they had sent Predator to theatres instead.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

32. But It’s In The Title

Shots of Azkaban Prison never actually appeared in the movie, though it was mentioned and concept art was created.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix (2007),Warner Bros.

Advertisement

33. Fantastic Beasts

During close ups of the Marauder’s Map, the name ‘Newt Scamander’ can be seen. This is the fictional author of the book, Fantastic Beasts and Where To Find Them in the Harry Potter universe.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

34. Burn That Footage

A shot of an awkward hug between Ron and Hermione was cut out of the final film.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

35. Second Chances

Having auditioned for the role of Professor Quirrell in Philosopher’s Stone and not landing the part, actor David Thewlis was cast in Azkaban as Professor Lupin.

The Apple Store Soho Presents Meet The Filmmakers: 'Harry Potter And The Deathly Hallows'Getty Images

Advertisement

36. Staff Picks

Prisoner of Azkaban was Emma Watson’s favourite book in the series at the time.

Emma Watson factsGetty Images

Advertisement

37.  On Fire

In the book, Harry receives his Firebolt broom as a Christmas gift. In the film adaptation, he gets it at the end of the movie.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

38. Fist Of Fury

The punch Hermione smashes Malfoy with in the movie was originally written as a slap.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

39. Deep Breaths

Daniel Radcliffe forgot to breath while filming a scene where he and Sirius face a Dementor by a lake. Radcliffe started hyperventilating and almost fainted. I don’t know what acting technique that is but I’m good with breathing, thanks.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

40. Patience

It took actor David Thewlis 6 hours in the makeup chair to transform into a werewolf.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

41. What A Guy

Gary Oldmen brought his kids, who are fans of the series, to the set.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban FactsGetty Images

Advertisement

42. Punk’d

Radcliffe asked the director and crew to place him next to a girl he had a crush on during a sleeping bag scene. He got his wish, but also a remote controlled whoopee cushion secretly placed in his bag. Everyone laughed while Radcliffe tried staying in character and avoiding eye contact. Ashton Kutcher would be proud.

Harry Potter And The Prisoner of Azkaban factsHarry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban (2004), Warner Bros.

Advertisement

 

Sources: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5


READ MORE

January 27, 2025 Jack Hawkins

The Most Famous TV Shows Set In Each State

America produces some excellent television, from gripping dramas to sweet romances. The American television landscape has it all. While most American TV shows are filmed in large studios in states like California, sometimes they're set in the deserts of Arizona or the wilderness of Alaska. Let's explore the most famous TV shows from every state.
Mel Brooks
January 7, 2025 Miles Brucker

Think You Remember 1974's Young Frankenstein? Try To Answer These Trivia Questions.

This movie has undoubtedly made its place as a timeless classic in American cinema. And, just like any other horror-comedy, this one has intriguing inside stories. Do you know what went into the making of this “monster-piece”?
January 28, 2025 Jillian Kent

The Weirdest Episodes Of Beloved TV Shows

Family Guy is no stranger to bizarre storylines—but there’s one weird episode that took things ways too far, leaving even die-hard fans feeling queasy.
January 23, 2025 Jane O'Shea

20 Brilliant Korean Films You Can Watch On Netflix

Can’t decide what to watch while you munch on your favorite snack? Korean cinema is here to help you out with its signature mix of suspense and heart. Here are 20 such recommendations.
Screenshot from "The River Wild" (1994)
January 20, 2025 Sarah Ng

Movie Stunts Gone Wrong

Movie stunts can be one of the most impressive aspects of a production—but they've been known to go terribly wrong. Here are some of the stunts that did not go as planned.
January 28, 2025 Binet

Scenes That Made The Movie

The scene of a deranged Jack Nicholson yelling, “Here’s Johnny!” made The Shining into one of the most famous movies in history–but few know the bizarre origin of the iconic line.