Alfonso Cuarón entertained the audience at the Marrakech Film Festival with stories from his career, including his surprising journey to directing Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban. During a discussion with Moroccan directors Alaa Eddine Aljem and Talal Selhami, Cuarón revealed that he had never read any of the Harry Potter books before taking on the project.
When asked how he managed to put his unique stamp on the third installment of the franchise, which many fans consider the best, Cuarón explained that he initially hesitated to accept the offer. He was unemployed and facing personal challenges, including an impending fatherhood. “I had written Children of Men, which nobody wanted to make. I was going to have a child,” he said. Despite his initial reluctance, after reading the books, he realized there was potential in the story and decided to take on the project.
Cuarón described working on Prisoner of Azkaban as “the best experience making a film I ever had.” He emphasized that it was a valuable learning opportunity, particularly in visual effects. This experience also led Warner Bros. to approach him for Children of Men shortly after.
However, Cuarón’s success with Harry Potter did not lead him to accept another high-profile project: a James Bond film. He shared that he was intrigued when he received the offer but became uneasy during the pre-production phase.
“When I started preparing for it, I felt strange because there was a separate team handling all the action scenes,” he recalled.
Cuarón sought advice from filmmaker Joel Coen over dinner. He asked Coen about his thoughts on directing a Bond film. Coen expressed enjoyment for the franchise but admitted that it was not something he would want to direct himself. Cuarón took this to heart, realizing that some films are better enjoyed as a viewer rather than as a director. “I learned that some films I prefer to watch and not do,” he concluded.
Cuarón’s reflections highlight both his journey into the Harry Potter universe and his decision-making process regarding film projects, showcasing his thoughtful approach to filmmaking.
Related topics:
