Magic-makers behind Harry Potter are staying tight-lipped over whether they will return to the North for the boy wizard's third movie adventure - just as its teenage star hinted that he may quit after it is filmed.
Executives at Warner Bros have so far given no indication whether or not Harry Potter and the Prisoner of Azkaban will feature Alnwick Castle in Northumberland and Durham Cathedral when shooting starts next March.
The medieval castle - home to the Duke of Northumberland and his family - has already been used as a prime location in both big screen adaptations of JK Rowling's smash-hit books to date.
Harry Potter and the Chamber of Secrets is out next month and looks certain to follow in the steps of the first blockbuster, Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
And while no dates or specific set locations have yet been announced for the filming of the Prisoner of Azkaban, Alnwick Castle at least remains a likely contender, having twice been transformed into Hogwarts School of Witchcraft and Wizardry for the films.
And if the region is third time lucky, it could mean another starring role for local schoolchildren, who were cast as young wizards and witches.
Local tourism chiefs, meanwhile, are quietly hoping that Pottermania will keep record numbers of visitors under the region's spell. Alnwick Castle recorded a 20pc rise in visitor numbers following the release of Philosopher's Stone late last year.
Last night, however, Harry Potter star Daniel Radcliffe gave a strong hint that he may soon be doing a vanishing act of his own.
Director Chris Columbus had said he would be more than happy for Daniel and his young co-stars - Rupert Grint and Emma Watson - to star in all seven films in the series.
"In the books the kids get progressively older at Hogwarts so they can presumably play the roles for the next seven films," he said.
"It's really up to them how much stamina and excitement and energy they have."
But while Rupert, 14, said he would love to carry on playing the role of Ron Weasley, Daniel was noticeably reluctant to commit to even a fourth film. Asked if he would like to carry on with the role after that, he dodged the subject.
"I'm just concentrating on the third film for now," he said.
Big changes in Daniel's appearance since his first outing as the schoolboy wizard have led to speculation that he could be outgrowing the role.
He has shot up eight inches to 5ft 4in and his voice has broken since he was last on screen in Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone.
