Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban [the trailer is up, and it looks great]

MSNBC Entertainment ^

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Opting for a producer-only role this time, director Chris Columbus passes the Harry Potter baton off to Alfonso Cuarón (Y Tu Mamá También) for Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the third film in the series. Daniel Radcliffe returns as the bespectacled young wizard who is now in his third year at Hogwarts. After and incident that sees his anger get the best of him, Harry runs away from the school. Unfortunately, the magical wunderkind soon learns that Sirius Black (Gary Oldman) has escaped from Azkaban prison and is after him. Along with Oldman, the additions to the cast the third time around include David Thewlis and Michael Gambon, who assumes the role of Professor Albus Dumbledore, previously played by the late Richard Harris. ~ Matthew Tobey, All Movie Guide

[Chancellor Palpatine]

With Oldman as Sirius Black, this promises to be very cool. I like the trailer - catches the mood of the book very well.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

I'm pinging a few Potter fans from memory.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

ping

[gingerky]

I will miss Richard Harris playing the Dumbledore.

[MrsEmmaPeel]

I will miss Richard Harris playing the Dumbledore.

Me too. I love Harry Potter.

[gingerky]

Should be "I will miss Richard Harris playing Dumbledore".

[MrsEmmaPeel]

I believe it comes out June 4th, 2004.

[Sloth]

The trailer did look good, but I wish it 1.) had more shots of Lupin (Thewlis), and 2.) had some actual dialogue instead of the Hogwart's choir (huh?) singing the whole time.

[js1138]

Has the Witch's scene from Macbeth set to music.

[Tijeras_Slim]

Who's going to play Dumbledore?

[MrsEmmaPeel]

I caught that, too!
By the pricking of my thumbs,
Something wicked this way comes!

[RosieCotton]

Seem to remember you guys are fans. ;-)

Ping!

[js1138]

Interesting that in Shakespeare it wasn't the witches who were wicked. I'm sure we'll hear about witchcraft soon.

[RebelBanker]

Chancellor,

If you would, please add me to the Harry Potter fan ping list.

My major concern with the changes betwen the prior two movies and this one is not the loss of Richard Harris (although that does hurt) but that director Alfonso Cuarón has made the comment that he sees Lord Voldemort as being like President Bush. As the series of books goes along, the themes get more mature and sophisticated, so I am afraid a lefty director could slip in some propaganda.

BTW, if anyone tries Bertie Bott's Every Flavor Beans, my advice is to avoid the sardine ones - they have a really persistent aftertaste!

Your Humble Servant...

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Michael Gambon

[aruanan]

Finally, one that won't put me to sleep. I hope.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Columbus has too much invested to diverge from the storyline for political points - I'm not worried about that.

RE: Bertie Botts - my kids managed to slip me all the bad ones, vomit included. Blech

Gotta admit, I'm fond of the black pepper beans, though.

[Chancellor Palpatine]

The choir is most likely a trailer gimmick, and won't be in the movie.

[conservative cat]

Can you also add me to the list? Thanks!

[Chancellor Palpatine]

Really? I thought that both of the previous movies were engaging and faithful to the storyline.