Paddington 3 officially back on track and will 'begin filming in July' 

Virgin Radio

3 Apr 2023, 14:43

Paddington’s third movie, Paddington in Peru, is officially back on the cards!

Movement on the third Paddington flick had seemingly halted sometime between its announcement in 2021 and now, with its star Ben Whishaw confirming he hadn’t heard a thing about the threequal in months. 

Now, Deadline has reported that plans for the long-awaited follow-on film are back on track, with production due to begin in July. 

Hooray!

Paddington 3 will bring together the collaborators of the first two films - Paul King, Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton - with Dougal Wilson making his feature debut as director. David Heyman and Rosie Alison are back as producers. 

It’s been a very long six years since we’ve seen the beloved bear on the big screen, and while fans will no doubt be over the moon with the news, the crew behind Paddington in Peru are keeping plot details under his famous red hat for now. It’s also not yet known in Whishaw will return as the voice of Paddington. 

Confirming the exciting news himself, Paddington took to his Twitter page to alert his 433,000 followers, writing: "I must write to Aunt Lucy to tell her the good news #Paddington3."

The original Paddington movie was a major box office success, grossing almost $300 million worldwide, and scoring two BAFTA nominations. Paddington 2 received lots of the same love, and garnered a 100% approval rating on Rotten Tomatoes, and a BAFTA nomination for Hugh Grant. 

Director of Paddington 1 & 2, Paul King, told Deadline: “After ten years of working on the Paddington movies, I feel absurdly protective of the little bear, and I’m delighted that Dougal will be there to hold his paw as he embarks on his third big screen adventure. 

“Dougal’s work is never less than astounding: funny, beautiful, heartfelt, imaginative, and totally original. Aunt Lucy once asked us to ‘Please Look After This Bear.’ I know Dougal will do so admirably.”

Director Dougal added: “As a huge fan of the first two films, I am very excited (if not a little intimidated) to be continuing the story of Paddington.  It’s a massive responsibility, but all my efforts will be focussed on making a third film that honours the love so many people have for this very special bear.”  

The first Paddington film in 2014 saw the red-hat-wearing creature arrive in London, where he was taken in by the Brown family, and was targeted by Nicole Kidman’s evil antagonist. The second instalment in 2017 brought everyone’s favourite bear up against a deliciously wicked Hugh Grant - and even saw Paddington spend some time in prison!

The threequel was meant to start filming in 2022, with Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins returning as Mr and Mrs Brown. Julie Walters as Mrs Bird and Jim Broadbent as Mr Gruber are all said to be returning too.

We’re suddenly craving some marmalade sandwiches…