Paddington 2, the sequel to Heyday Films and Studiocanal’s 2014 global hit, has begun principal photography with Hugh Grant and Brendan Gleeson joining the returning cast including Hugh Bonneville, Sally Hawkins, Julie Walters, Jim Broadbent, Peter Capaldi, Madeleine Harris and Samuel Joslin. Ben Whishaw will reprise his voice role as the eponymous Peruvian bear with Imelda Staunton as Aunt Lucy.
Studiocanal
Paul King again directs from a script he co-wrote with Simon Farnaby. The sequel finds Paddington 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 100th 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.
Hugh Grant plays Windsor Gardens’ local celebrity, Phoenix Buchanan, a vain, charming acting legend whose star has fallen somewhat in recent years. Gleeson is Knuckles McGinty, a notorious safe-cracker and legendary strongman who becomes an unexpected new ally for Paddington.
The first film became the highest grossing non-U.S. studio family title of all time, grossing $270M worldwide.
Paddington 2 is produced by David Heyman (Harry Potter, Gravity, Fantastic Beasts And Where To Find Them). Studiocanal developed the film, is fully financing and will distribute in the UK, France, Germany, Australia and New Zealand. It’s also handling international sales.
