Everything We Know About Paddington 3

The Paddington films have rapidly become one of the most beloved franchises of the 21st century. Based on a series of books by Michael Bond, the screen adventures of the marmalade-loving bear who gently espouses decency and kindness while dealing with a harsh world have been a balm for tough times over the past decade. Whimsical adventures that are warm, fuzzy, and wickedly funny, these instant classics call to mind the work of Jean-Pierre Jeunet, Wes Anderson, and Charlie Chaplin while also possessing their own singular magic. Now, it’s official: a third entry is in the works.

The original film was released in 2014 to an unsuspecting public, quickly becoming a critical darling and a global box office hit. The sequel that followed in 2018 recently became famous for dethroning Citizen Kane on Rotten Tomatoes.

Needless to say, four years on, fans are clamoring for more bear hijinks set to the dulcet tones of Ben Whishaw, more Rube Goldberg-esque setpieces that elevate traditional family fare into pure cinema, and more villainy from an esteemed character actor terrorizing the well-meaning bear in horrific yet hysterical ways. Soon, the wait will be over. Here’s everything we know about Paddington 3 so far.

Paddington 3 Is Officially Happening

According to Deadline, Paddington 3 will begin production in 2022. With Studiocanal’s plans to “invest $1 billion in content between now and 2024″, it seems likely that Paddington fans won’t have to wait too long to see the lovely bear on the big screen once again. Paul King, Simon Farnaby, Jon Foster, James Lamont, and Mark Burton, who worked behind the camera in Paddington and Paddington 2, will return to craft the threequel. Apart from Paddington 3, Studiocanal is also working on season 3 of The Adventures of Paddington, an animated TV show based on the same property.

Paddington 3’s Cast: Who Will Return?

No casting details have been announced, although Hugh Bonneville, who plays Mr. Brown in the previous installments, said in an interview on BBC Radio 2’s The Zoe Ball Breakfast Show that there was “forward momentum” on the film and that it was “somewhere on the horizon.” Therefore, there’s no reason not to assume he will be returning along with the rest of the Brown family, played by Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Madeleine Harris, and Samuel Joslin, along with Ben Whishaw as the voice of the eponymous bear. As for the much-anticipated announcement of who will fill Nicole Kidman’s and Hugh Grant’s massive shoes as the film’s villain, fans will have to wait and see.

Paddington 3 Release Date

Similar to casting, there’s no word of a release date yet, although the previous two films did good business releasing in the United States in January and February, which suggests the studio may schedule the third film to release around a similar time. But considering production will begin in mid-2022, it’s likely that Paddington 3 will release in 2024, at the earliest.

Possible Paddington 3 Story Details

Paddington 3′s plot details remain shrouded in mystery, but if it’s anything like its predecessors, it will be a joyful mixture of the familiar and the new. While both films bear a similar structure and recycle some gags here and there, their stories are admirably different, with the first largely being the story of Paddington adjusting to his new home with the Browns in London, and Paddington 2 seeing the bear wrongfully convicted on a robbery charge and instituting prison reform using the advice of his dear Aunt Lucy. Whatever the plot of Paddington 3 ultimately winds up being, the creative team is sure to take care that it will be packed with surprises and delights. While the first sequel is an incredibly tough act to follow, fans should rest easy knowing they’re surely in safe hands.

Casting Paddington 3’s Main Villain

About The Author

Kyle Wilson
(56 Articles Published)

Kyle Wilson is a writer for Screen Rant. Originally from Pennsylvania, he graduated Carnegie Mellon University in 2014 and since then has been based in Brooklyn, NY. He is a big fan of Paddington and Joe Pesci’s performance in “The Irishman.”

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