Harry Potter films are significant, not only to popular culture but also to the lives of many. Over the course of eight films, this franchise managed to capture an exceptionally vast world, as well as, the feeling of what it is like to grow up. Though much recognition has been given to the performances, cast, and even visual effects, the one very important aspect of this franchise seems to get lost in this conversation, that of direction. Carefully picking who directs specific films was very important, not only for the film itself but from a storytelling perspective.

Rupert Grint, Daniel Radcliffe, and Emma Watson in a still from the Harry Potter franchise

Starting with the first two films, which were directed by Chris Columbus. The filmmaker, who also worked on the Home Alone franchise, helped give a nostalgic, youthful, and innocent feeling. The last few films, on the other hand, were directed by David Yates, who is known for having a much darker touch to his filmmaking, something that was needed at this point in the series. It would seem, however, that there was another very big-name filmmaker who almost worked on this franchise and would have contributed in a completely different way. The filmmaker in question is none other than M. Night Shyamalan.

M. Night Shyamalan Was Asked To Direct A Harry Potter Film

Chris Columbus directed the first two Harry Potter films, Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone, and Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets, and did an excellent job in that. However, when it came time to direct the third film, Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban, the Home Alone director refused. This meant that producers had to find a new director who would fit the requirements and they knew, would do a good job with this movie.

A scene from Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban

Before Alfonso Cuarón was finalized for this job, it would seem that another contender almost got it. As revealed by Rupert Grint recently, M. Night Shyamalan, known for projects like The Sixth Sense, Unbreakable, and Split, almost directed this film.

M. Night Shyamalan Ended Up Working On A Different Film The Same Year

During a recent interview with British GQ, Rupert Grint, who played the role of Ronald Weasley in the franchise, was asked if he was M. Night Shyamalan’s muse, considering how much to has collaborated on projects. To this, the act stated that he absolutely loved working with the director and never had many reasons for this, including the fact that this was one of his biggest dreams when growing up.

M. Night Shyamalan

“It’s just a dream to work with him. He’s great.” Rupert Grint went on to say, “nearly did [Harry] Potter 3, so I did meet him when I was a kid.”

He confirmed that Shyamalan was also one of the directors considered to make the third Harry Potter film. Grint stated that the director almost ended up doing this movie, so he had an opportunity to meet him when he was younger. While there are no confirmed reasons as to why the director did not take part in this film, it can be speculated that it had something to do with his film, The Village, starring Joaquin Phoenix, Bryce Dallas Howard, and Adrien Brody, and was also scheduled to release the same year.