It’s a go – the third film in the “Paddington” franchise, titled “Paddington In Peru,” is happening with a start of filming date set for July 24th.
The third film will reunite production companies Studiocanal and Heyday and boasts a story by returnees Paul King, Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton, along with a screenplay by Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont.
As previously announced, music videos and commercials director Dougal Wilson is making his feature debut – taking over from Paul King, who directed the first two instalments. David Heyman and Rosie Alison will produce.
The new film’s story is under wraps but is expected to see Paddington getting into sticky situations in “deepest, darkest Peru” which is where he originated from. Talking about his replacement in the director’s chair, King says:
“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.”
This follows on from the two previous films that scored more than $500 million between them at the box office. The first one was extremely well-received, but the sequel is often hailed as a cinematic masterpiece.
Ben Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins and more have starred in the films, but there’s no word on the cast for the new entry as yet beyond it being a mix of “returning and new cast”.
Source: Deadline
