In an interview with Collider, producer David Heyman (Fantastic Beasts: The Crimes of Grindelwald) has officially confirmed that they currently in the process of developing the third installment to their popular live-action animated film Paddington. However, Heyman has also added that director Paul King might not be returning to direct the third movie.
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“I don’t think Paul King will direct the third. He did the first two—he and I are working on another project together… He’s very special, Paul. We’re developing a third Paddington. We haven’t got a script yet, we’ve got a treatment which we’re still working on.” Heyman said. “Paul is involved in it, I wanted him to be involved in it because I think he’s such a significant voice, but I don’t think he’ll direct it. He worked on the idea… he comes up with the idea with Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton and then they develop it and come back for more, back and forth, and then it’ll get written and Paul will come in and stir it up a little bit. But he’s an incredible collaborator, Paul. Very positive, very supportive.”
In the last sequel, we find our titular 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…
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Paddington 2 premiered last year which has earned an approval rating of 100% on Rotten Tomatoes. King directed and co-wrote the script with Simon Farnaby. The sequel starred Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris, Samuel Joslin, Hugh Grant, Brendan Gleeson, Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington, and Imelda Staunton as voice of Aunt Lucy.
Paddington is based on the best-selling and internationally adored series of children’s stories by British author Michael Bond, which have sold more than 35 million copies worldwide, been translated into over 40 languages and captured the imagination of children and adults around the globe.
