... Is HP seriously not just for kids anymore? The signs seem to be everywhere; not only have adult editions been released in the UK by Bloomsbury, but now Alfonso Cuaron is directing Azkaban. Did I miss something?

Anyone who caught the 1998 release of Great Expectations can vouch that it was not necessarily a faithful, but albeit incredibly beautiful and well-done retelling of the Dickens classic. Some might even remember it as the role where Paltrow was not entirely skeletal. I personally remember it for its artistry, its sensuality without tipping over into graphic or gratuitous, and most of all, its absolutely (dare I say the word?) spellbinding direction.

So, speaking of spells, does it seem entirely natural for Cuaron to take over the helm after Columbus?

Not really.

Just one look at Columbus' credits scream "family film". (Both production and direction.) We've got the in-production Fantastic Four,, Cheaper By The Dozen (which will likely be saved by Martin's wit alone), the obviously family-oriented hit Monkeybone , -- And a few rarities like Bicentennial Man, Stepmom and Nine Months. Not to say that Columbus is a light-weight by any means, but he certainly is in a different league than Cuaron, even if his league does stretch a bit further and go a tad higher.

Cuaron does gritty, dark, and absolutely breath-taking work behind the camera. Most of his films leave you mystified with the feeling that nearly any frame could be a memorable still. Personally, I have to say this is a fantastic turn for the 'Potter' films. I also have to ask myself: why the sudden concern for artistic direction? I don't often hear ten and eleven-year-olds describing a film as " poignant" or "with beautiful direction" -- do you?

Clearly, someone thought of the adult-factor and brought in Cuaron for Azkaban deciding that it is the true turning point of the series, and, sorry Baum, but Harry ain't in Kansas anymore after Chamber of Secrets. Ladies and gents, the tornado has arrived.

And as for the adult covers -- could it be that someone heard the plea of those aged past target-audience? That we tend to feel a tid bit embarrassed when out and about -- with a colourfully decorated and noticeable (thanks to artist GrandPre) 'Potter' book under our arms? The UK adult editions feature a more streamlined, graphically unobtrusive cover that is likely to blend in with just about anything; and have those who aren't familiar with the increasing fact that 'Harry's for adults, too!' -- absolutely astonished that the book you've got there features a ten (to fifteen) year old wizard on his increasingly dramatic (and tragic) trials and adventures.

Sadly, Cuaron is not here to stay in the Potter-filmverse, rather just coming along for Azkaban and then to return to his usual beautiful film noir. Next up is Mike Newell, a Brit with a long-standing history in British television. His various credits include a few of the newer ones such as Mona Lisa Smile, his older films such as Four Weddings and a Funeral, Pushing Tin (little-known well-done Cusack flick) and Donnie Brasco -- and the older series Young Indiana Jones. Hmm. Interesting, indeed. Going from directing Brits -- to Brits. Shouldn't be too grave of a switch. Just about anything could come out of Newell -- comedy and tragedy. Let us just hope that for Goblet, it's a fairly good blend of both.

Rowling claims to be ignoring this wave of adult fascination for her books. She has stated time and again that the wind's direction has nothing to do with the outcome of her stories. One has to wonder though, whether or not it has to do a bit with the natural progression of a very unusual set of circumstances into which was born a very unusual sort of child. By the age of fifteen, one is bound to have gained a good deal of experience that he or she did not have just a few years ago; in the 'Potter' series, however, it's turbo-charged. Rowling appears to understand this on as intimate a level as is needed by a writer. It may simply be that as the series continues, and further characters are introduced, they are naturally attractive to the older set -- and directors for the films simply follow suit.

And yet again, a hundred-some-odd years back, the critics and reviewers were speaking the same of another set of stories -- made for children. First was Alice and her Adventures. Oz came tumbling after.

So, what's the publication future for Harry? I'd rather not touch that Prophecy just yet.