Excitement is in the air for fans of the beloved British bear, as StudioCanal has confirmed the return of Paddington to the big screen for the third time. This delightful news was shared in true Paddington fashion, courtesy of a post on StudioCanal’s official X (formerly Twitter) account.
The post exclaims, “How marvellous! We can finally reveal that @PaddingtonBear’s latest feature film, Paddington in Peru, will be coming to the big screen on November 8th 2024. #PaddingtonInPeru”. Accompanying the announcement was a heartwarming clip, capturing Paddington’s affection for marmalade.
In the snippet, Paddington is seen meticulously cleaning the sticky preserve from a mirror with its paws, followed by a delightful feast.
How marvellous! 🎬🍊
We can finally reveal that @PaddingtonBear's latest feature film, Paddington in Peru, will be coming to the big screen on November 8th 2024. #PaddingtonInPeru pic.twitter.com/aNWVUybPRK
— StudiocanalUK (@StudiocanalUK) October 23, 2023
StudioCanal has a track record of releasing Paddington movies in November. The first and second editions hit theaters on November 28, 2014, and November 5, 2017, respectively. So, it’s no surprise that the upcoming installment will continue this tradition, arriving in November 2024.
A third Paddington movie was always part of the plan, with StudioCanal CEO Didier Lupfer revealing the intention for a trilogy as far back as 2016. Unfortunately, production didn’t kick off until June 2023.
The announcement of Paddington in Peru’s release is a breath of fresh air for moviegoers amidst the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike. Ordinarily, the film would have been forced to halt production due to the strike that started in July.
However, Paddington in Peru is a British production, allowing it to sidestep the issues faced by Hollywood productions like Deadpool 3. Fortunately, efforts are underway between SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP to resolve their differences and get production back on track for affected movies.
The Paddington film series revolves around an anthropomorphic bear named Paddington, who journeys from Peru to London and is embraced by the Brown family. In this upcoming adventure, Paddington, along with his adoptive family, returns to the jungles of Peru to visit his Aunt Lucy.
In Paddington in Peru, Ben Whishaw will once again lend his voice to the titular character. Additionally, Hugh Bonneville, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, and Jim Broadbent will reprise their roles from the previous films.
Originally, Sally Hawkins, who portrayed Mrs. Brown in the earlier movies, was set to return to her role. However, the ongoing SAG-AFTRA strike prevented her participation. Instead, fans will see Emily Mortimer, known for her role in Pink Panther, stepping into the character, alongside new cast members Antonio Banderas, Carla Tous, and Imelda Staunton.
Paddington in Peru will premiere in the United Kingdom on November 8, 2024. Audiences in the United States will have to wait a bit longer, as the movie will land in theaters on January 17, 2025.
