The next film in the Paddington franchise is now officially in development.
StudioCanal have confirmed that a third instalment in the popular family-friendly series will begin filming in the second quarter of 2022. There has been no confirmation of casting or plot details as of yet.
The story has been developed by Paul King—the director of the previous two films—along with Mark Burton and Simon Farnaby, one of the writers behind Paddington 2 (in which he also played “Barry the Security Guard”). The screenplay has been co-written by Burton, Jon Foster, and James Lamont.
The story of Paddington Bear has a long and heartwarming history. Created by author Michael Bond, the character—so named after being discovered in London’s Paddington station by the Brown family—first appeared in the 1958 short story collection A Bear Called Paddington. Since then, the polite and kind-hearted marmalade fan has gone on to feature in TV shows, stage productions and, beginning in 2014, the hit film series which has brought the character to life on the big screen. That success is owed in part to actor Ben Whishaw, known for playing Q in the James Bond franchise, who has starred in both films as the voice of Paddington and was praised by critics for bringing “immense charm” to his performance.
Whishaw isn’t the only celebrated actor to have been drawn into the franchise; the casts of the first two films include a wealth of notable talent. Well-known British and Irish actors who have starred in the series include Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and Hugh Grant, along with former Doctor Who star Peter Capaldi and Michael Gambon, best known for playing Albus Dumbledore in the Harry Potter franchise. Australian-American actress Nicole Kidman, also co-starred in the first film, playing a villainous taxidermist with hopes of killing and stuffing the titular bear.
Fans of the series will no doubt be excited to hear that Paddington 3 is soon to enter production. Shooting, however, is not due to start until 2022, so the film is unlikely to be released in cinemas before 2023.
Words by Alex Crisp
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