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Paddington in Peru: Release date, plot and cast for threequel

Is Ben Whishaw back as the voice of Britain's most loved bear?

Sam Moore
Updated ·4-min read
Paddington is a 2014 comedy film, directed by Paul King and written by King and Hamish McColl and produced by David Heyman. The film is based on Paddington Bear by Michael Bond. The film stars Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi and Nicole Kidman, with Ben Whishaw as the voice of Paddington.
Paddington in Peru starts filming later this year. (Alamy) (Lifestyle pictures)

Paddington (and his marmalade) is heading back to big screen once again in Paddington In Peru, which now has an official release date of 8 November, 2024.

The beloved bear, who has become a national treasure after affecting several generations of children – and lets face it, adults – with his heartwarming demeanour and optimistic outlook on life hasn't been since 2017's Paddington 2 aside from a memorable appearance at the Queen's Platinum Jubilee celebrations last year but a third movie has been confirmed to begin shooting later this year.

Read more: Hugh Bonneville says Paddington 3 is 'in safe hands' ahead of filming

Though regular director Paul King is busy with Wonka, Paddington in Peru will be directed by Dougal Wilson, making his feature film debut.

Here's everything we know about Paddington in Peru so far...

Paddington in Peru release date

Paddington In Peru will be released in the UK on 8 November, 2024 by Studiocanal. Fans in North America will have to wait until 17 January, 2025 for the third Paddington movie to be released by Sony Pictures.

Paddington in Peru cast

Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown & Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown & Julie Walters as Mrs. Bird & Madeleine Harris as Judy Brown in Paddington 2 (Studiocanal)
Hugh Bonneville as Henry Brown & Sally Hawkins as Mary Brown & Julie Walters as Mrs. Bird & Madeleine Harris as Judy Brown in Paddington 2 (Studiocanal) (Jay Maidment)

Ben Whishaw will return as the voice of Paddington, as will Imelda Staunton as his Aunt Lucy.

Hugh Bonneville, Julie Walters and Jim Broadbent will also be back and Henry Brown, Mrs. Bird and Samuel Gruber respectively. They will be joined once again by Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin as Judy and Jonathan Brown.

Olivia Colman, Antonio Banderas and Emily Mortimer have also joined the cast of the eagerly-awaited sequel, as has newcomer Carla Tous who replaced Rachel Zegler on the film after the West Side Story star was unable to take part due to the actor strike.

LONDON, ENGLAND - MAY 08: Emily Mortimer attends the Virgin Media British Academy Television Awards at The Royal Festival Hall on May 08, 2022 in London, England. (Photo by Dave J Hogan/Getty Images)
Emily Mortimer will replace Sally Hawkins as Mrs Brown in the third Paddington film. (Dave J Hogan/Getty Images) (Dave J Hogan via Getty Images)

Mortimer is taking over the part of Mrs Brown from Sally Hawkins, who said it "has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another".

"She (Mortimer) will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own," Hawkins was quoted as saying.

"However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddington’s world."

Paddington in Peru plot

A slate on location for Paddington In Peru. (Studiocanal)
A slate on location for Paddington In Peru. (Studiocanal)

The plot synopsis reveals: "The highly anticipated third Paddington film brings Paddington's story to Peru as he returns to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now resides at the Home for Retired Bears.

"With the Brown Family in tow, a thrilling adventure ensues when a mystery plunges them into an unexpected journey through the Amazon rainforest and to the mountain peaks of Peru."

Who is making Paddington in Peru?

The Peru jungle as seen in Paddington (Studiocanal)
The Peru jungle as seen in Paddington (Studiocanal)

While Paul King has stepped out of the director's chair, he has still co-written the film and will serve as an executive producer.

King wrote the story with his collaborator on the first two films, Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton who co-wrote Wallace & Gromit: The Curse of the Were-Rabbit.

Actor Ben Whishaw poses for photographers at the world premiere of 'Paddington 2' at the BFI Southbank, in London, Britain November 5, 2017. REUTERS/Mary Turner
Ben Whishaw voices Paddington. (Reuters) (Mary Turner, REUTERS)

The screenplay comes from Burton, Jon Foster and James Lamont who scripted Paddington's Jubilee sketch with the late Queen Elizabeth II. The pair have also worked with Jimmy Fallon and Harry Hill.

The new director is Dougal Wilson who is best known for his work in advertisements and music videos. He has directed several of the John Lewis Christmas adverts and done music videos for artists such as Coldplay, LCD Soundsystem and Jarvis Cocker.

On handing over the baton to Wilson, King said: “After ten years of working on the Paddington movies, I feel absurdly protective of the little bear, and I’m delighted that Dougal will be there to hold his paw as he embarks on his third big screen adventure. Dougal’s work is never less than astounding: funny, beautiful, heartfelt, imaginative, and totally original. Aunt Lucy once asked us to ‘Please Look After This Bear.’ I know Dougal will do so admirably.”

PADDINGTON BEAR, PADDINGTON, 2014
Paddington in Peru will be the third film in the series. (Alamy) (Maximum Film)

In turn, Wilson commented on taking over from King: “As a huge fan of the first two films, I am very excited (if not a little intimidated) to be continuing the story of Paddington. It’s a massive responsibility, but all my efforts will be focussed on making a third film that honours the love so many people have for this very special bear.”

Talking about making Paddington in Peru Wilson said: “It’s been a joy and an honour to shoot Paddington in Peru with such a wonderful and talented cast and crew. I feel incredibly lucky to have been blessed with such a lovely group of people, many of whom have returned to the world of this beloved bear. We are also delighted to have welcomed Emily, Olivia, Antonio and Carla to the Paddington family.”

Paddington In Peru will be in UK cinemas from 8 November 2024, and US cinemas from 17 January, 2025.