Paddington 2

Paddington, now happily settled with the Brown family and a popular member of the local community, picks up a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy's 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.

Paul King, director of Bunny and the Bull and a frequent helmsman on The Mighty Boosh TV show, brought his quirky storytelling sensibilities to the world of Michael Bond’s beloved Paddington Bear character, a couple years back. The film that resulted from that union of storyteller and property, titled simply Paddington, was a commercial success that took in $287 million worldwide in theaters against a $55 million budget – earning the adoration of critics everywhere in the process, as evidenced by the movie’s 98% Fresh rating on Rotten Tomatoes. Naturally, co-producers Heyday Films and Studiocanal have since been quick to capitalize on that movie’s franchise potential by green-lighting its sequel.

It’s been reported that a third Paddington film may already be in the early planning stages too, but for now King’s focus is primarily on finishing Paddington 2 for a late 2017 theatrical release in the U.K. (and a potential early 2018 release in the U.S.). Principle photography on the Paddington sequel, with King again both writing and directing the film, is now officially underway, per an official press release from Heyday and Studiocanal – one that also confirms the addition of two noteworthy characters actors to the movie’s cast, too.

Plot-wise, Paddington 2 revolves around Paddington (voiced by Ben Whishsaw), now a “popular member of the local community,” and the Brown family – as led by Mr. Brown (Hugh Bonneville) and Mrs. Brown (Sally Hawkins) – as they “embark upon a series of odd jobs to buy the perfect present for his Aunt Lucy’s 100th birthday, only for the gift to be stolen.” Paddington cast members such as Julie Walters and Peter Capaldi are reprising their roles from the first movie in the sequel too; meanwhile, Grant is playing Phoenix Buchanan, a “vain and charming acting legend who has fallen on hard times,” and Gleeson is playing “Knuckles” McGinty: a “notorious safe-cracker and strongman” who is surprised when he finds an ally in Paddington.

• Country: UK | France
• Genres: Animated, Comedy, Kids & Family, Fantasy
• Directed by: Paul King ('Paddington', 'Bunny and the Bull', TV's 'The Mighty Boosh')
• Starring: Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Julie Walters, Jim
• Broadbent, Ben Whishaw, Peter Capaldi
• Written by: Paul King, Simon Farnaby (based on the character and books by Michael Bond)

Release date

Paddington 2 coming to Cinemas 21st December 2017. Release 10 November 2017 (UK).

Official Site: http://paddington.com/global/home/