The third installment of the Paddington film franchise, Paddington in Peru, is currently in the works, and casting is moving right along for the upcoming sequel. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Oscar-winning actress Olivia Colman is in talks to join the cast for the upcoming feature from Heyday and StudioCanal.
In addition to Colman’s role, other major casting news for the film has surfaced. This includes a major recast for the upcoming threequel.
OLIVIA COLMAN IN TALKS TO JOIN THE CAST OF PADDINGTON IN PERU, EMILY MORTIMER TO REPLACE SALLY HAWKINS
According to THR’s report, Colman will portray a nun who runs a retirement home for bears in Peru. Fans will recall that Paddington hails from the fictional land of Darkest, Peru. Also, Paddington’s Aunt Lucy lives in The Home for Retired Bears, which will likely explain Colman’s role in the upcoming sequel.
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The upcoming sequel will again see Ben Whishaw return to the role of the kind, lovable Paddington Bear, who in the first film moves in with the Brown family. According to a synopsis for the upcoming feature, Paddington’s journey comes full circle as he returns to his homeland of Peru to visit his Aunt Lucy at the Home for Retired Bears. The Brown Family joins him for a thrilling adventure when a mystery plunges the group into an unexpected quest through the Amazon rainforest to the mountain peaks of Peru.
In addition to Colman’s casting, The Hollywood Reporter revealed in a separate report that Golden Globe Award-winning actress Rachel Zegler (West Side Story) and Antonio Banderas (Uncharted, Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, Puss in Boots: The Last Wish) are also joining the cast. Additionally, in a bit of bombshell casting news, Oscar-nominated actress Sally Hawkins (The Shape of Water, Godzilla) is leaving the cast of the franchise, and she’s being replaced in the role of Brown Family matriarch, Mary Brown, by actress Emily Mortimer.
Hawkins revealed in a statement, “For me, it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, and one can’t get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special. She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own. However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddington’s world.”
While Hawkins is departing from the role, returning cast members for the sequel, besides Whishaw, include Hugh Bonneville (Downton Abbey) as Henry Brown, Julie Walters as Mrs. Bird, Jim Broadbent as Mr. Gruber, Madeleine Harris as Judy Brown, and Samuel Joslin as Jonathan Brown. Imelda Staunton is once again voicing Aunt Lucy.
Per THR’s casting report, Banderas is set to portray a riverboat captain who offers to help the Brown family during their Peruvian adventure. His daughter will be portrayed by Zegler.
Paddington in Peru will mark the feature directorial debut of commercial and music video director Dougal Wilson. The first two films were directed by Paul King. StudioCanal and Heyday are producing the project, and Sony Pictures will distribute the picture worldwide, except for Russia, China, and Japan. The threequel will reportedly film on location in London and Peru.
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The live-action Paddington films were well-received by critics and audiences alike. The first film has a rating of 97% on Rotten Tomatoes, while its sequel is rated 99% by critics. Hopefully, the next installment will maintain the lovable charm and wit of the first two films, while continuing to tell an emotional, heartfelt story.
Together, the first two films have grossed more than $500 million worldwide. Considering the first sequel had a reported budget of $40 million, these films cost about a fraction of the average major Hollywood blockbuster these days, so they are highly profitable for the studio.
Paddington in Peru does not yet have an official release date. However, with casting underway, it looks like the film might be gearing up for principal production soon.
What do you think of the news? Are you happy to hear about the casting news for Paddington 3? Are you a fan of the previous Paddington films? Let us know your thoughts about the upcoming sequel on The Illuminerdi’s Twitter account.
SOURCE: The Hollywood Reporter
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