Filming is now underway for Paddington 2, the highly anticipated follow up to 2014’s smash hit adaption of Micheal Bond’s Paddington books.
Producer David Heyman and STUDIOCANAL have announced the addition of Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson to the returning cast of Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington and Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy.
Paddington 2 finds our heroic bear happily settled with the Brown family in Windsor Gardens, where he has become a popular member of the community, spreading joy and marmalade wherever he goes.
While searching for the perfect present for his beloved Aunt Lucy’s hundredth birthday, Paddington spots a unique pop-up book in Mr. Gruber’s antique shop, and embarks upon a series of odd jobs to buy it. But when the book is stolen, it’s up to Paddington and the Browns to unmask the thief…
Grant plays Windsor Gardens’ local celebrity, Phoenix Buchanan, described as a vain, charming acting legend whose star has fallen somewhat in recent years, with Brendan playing ‘Knuckles’ McGinty, a notorious safe-cracker and legendary strongman who becomes an unexpected new ally for Paddington.
Paul King returns to direct the film which he co-wrote with Simon Farnaby.
Paul King and David Heyman comment “It has been a complete joy to return to the world of Paddington. It was such a delight to see his first big screen adventure embraced by audiences around the world, and I couldn’t be more excited about Hugh and Brendan joining the cast to bring his next outing to life.
“Together, I hope we can make a film worthy of this most exceptional of bears.”
With Ron Halpern, EVP of International Productions and Acquisitions for STUDIOCANAL added: “Paddington is such a beloved film for all of us at STUDIOCANAL. There really is nothing which could make us all happier than to be back with Paul King, David Heyman and this wonderful cast to begin a new Paddington adventure.”