27/06/2023 - Director Dougal Wilson takes the reins for this third cinematic tale of the marmalade-loving bear, whilst Olivia Colman and Antonio Banderas join the human cast

Actors Olivia Colman (© Ibsan73) and Antonio Banderas (© Pedro J Pacheco)

Just as it says in the end credits of old James Bond films, we now have confirmation that Paddington Bear will return. Likely swapping his customary raincoat for a tiki hat, Paddington in Peru will be the third instalment in the much-loved family film franchise, one that has surprisingly bewitched adult viewers via its deadpan charm, and the sight of stars like Nicole Kidman and Hugh Grant letting their hair down in baddie roles. Set to begin production next month (although with no details at present on location shooting), acclaimed advert director Dougal Wilson will take over from Paul King’s lauded work on the first two instalments, Paddington [+see also:
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This time around, Paddington will return to his home nation of Peru to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, at the Home for Retired Bears. A likely ornate and whimsical mystery-adventure will then whisk Paddington and the Brown family along the Amazon River, and then up the mountain ranges of Peru. Colman is Reverend Mother, a guitar-playing nun who runs the retirement home, whilst Banderas will do his best Bogart as riverboat captain Hunter Cabot.

A production of the UK, France, Canada and the USA, the picture boasts StudioCanal as its primary backer, alongside Heyday Films. The story was devised by earlier Paddington franchise collaborators Paul King, Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton, with a screenplay from Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont. Its primary producers are David Heyman (Barbie, Harry Potter, Gravity [+see also:
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