Sony Pictures has reportedly picked up the North American rights to the upcoming “Paddington in Peru” film, the third entry in the critically acclaimed franchise at Heyday Films and StudioCanal.
StudioCanal will release the film in the U.K., France, Germany, Benelux, Australia/New Zealand, and Poland whereas Sony Pictures will hold the rights for the U.S. and the rest of the world excluding Russia, China and Japan.
Music videos and commercials director Dougal Wilson is making his feature debut on the film, taking over from Paul King, who directed the first two instalments. King, Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton created the story, with Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont penning the script.
The new film’s story is under wraps, but Paddington is expected to get into sticky situations in “deepest, darkest Peru” where he originated from.
Ben Whishaw reprises his role as the voice of Paddington, and filming will be done on location in London and Peru. David Heyman and Rosie Alison will produce.
The two previous films scored more than $500 million between them at the box office, and while the first one was extremely well-received, the sequel is often hailed as a cinematic masterpiece.
Sony takes over from Warner Bros. Pictures who previously held domestic distribution rights for the past two films.
Source: THR
