Paddington in Peru

Paddington in Peru (also known as Paddington 3) is an upcoming live-action animated adventure comedy film directed by Dougal Wilson, written by Mark Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamout, with a story by Paul King, Simon Farnaby, and Burton. Based on the stories of Paddington Bear, created by Michael Bond, it is intended to be the third installment in the Paddington film series, and a sequel to Paddington (2014) and Paddington 2 (2017). The film stars Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington, with Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Carla Tous in supporting roles.

The film entered development in February 2021, and the title Paddington in Peru was announced in June 2022. It is the feature film debut of Wilson. Principal photography began in July 2023 and was completed that October, having taken place in the United Kingdom, Colombia and Peru.

Paddington in Peru is scheduled to be released in cinemas in the United Kingdom on 8 November 2024, by StudioCanal UK.

Premise
Paddington and his adopted family – the Browns – decide to visit his aunt Lucy in Peru. Circumstances lead the group to search for Lucy in the Amazon rainforest and the Peruvian mountains.

Cast
Main cast
 * Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown
 * Emily Mortimer as Mary Brown
 * Madeleine Harris as Judy Brown
 * Samuel Joslin as Jonathan Brown
 * Julie Walters as Mrs. Bird
 * Jim Broadbent as Samuel Gruber
 * Olivia Colman as The Reverend Mother
 * Antonio Banderas as Hunter Cabot
 * Carla Tous as Gina Cabot

Voices
 * Ben Whishaw as Paddington Brown
 * Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy

Development
In June 2016, StudioCanal CEO Didier Lupfer stated that the studio was committed to making a third Paddington film. In November 2017, David Heyman told Digital Spy that though the script for a third film had not been developed, discussions about locations, ideas and scenes had already begun. In November 2018, Heyman noted that a third film was likely to happen, but that Paul King would not be back to direct, though he would still be involved in a prominent creative capacity. In February 2021, Paddington 3 officially began development.

In July 2021, StudioCanal announced that Paddington 3 would begin shooting in the first quarter of 2022. The story for the third film was written by King, Simon Farnaby, and Mark Burton, and the screenplay by Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont. In June 2022, the film's title Paddington in Peru and Dougal Wilson as director were announced, with principal photography now set to begin 2023. It is the feature film directorial debut of Wilson, who previously directed commercials and music videos. In February 2023, Paddington voice actor Ben Whishaw stated that he had yet to read a script and was unsure whether development was continuing. By April, the film was confirmed to still be in development.

Casting and filming
In June, it was announced that Whishaw, Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin and Imelda Staunton were set to reprise their roles from the previous films, with Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas, Rachel Zegler and Emily Mortimer added to the cast. Mortimer was replacing Sally Hawkins in the role of Mrs. Brown, who she played in the first two films.

Filming commenced in the United Kingdom on 24 July as planned, despite reports that it was delayed due to the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. The film was also shot in Colombia and Peru. Filming began without Zegler as she had left for the United States to participate in picketing during the strike; Carla Tous later took over the role of Gina Cabot, as Zegler was unable to commit due to the strike. Filming was completed in October 2023.

Marketing
In a brand tie-in, Jo Malone released a limited edition Paddington-themed marmalade cologne in early July 2024.

Release
In May 2023, StudioCanal sold a majority of territories including North America to Sony Pictures for distribution. StudioCanal holds the distribution rights for the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Benelux, Australia and New Zealand, while Sony will distribute the film elsewhere except China, Japan and Russia. In October 2023, the film was dated for a theatrical release in the United Kingdom on 8 November 2024, by StudioCanal UK, followed by a theatrical release in the United States on 17 January 2025, by Columbia Pictures through Sony Pictures Releasing.