S Poddar
Exciting news for fans of Paddington Bear: the beloved bear will soon star in a new movie and television series, according to rights-holders of the character.
This announcement comes just ahead of the release of Paddington in Peru, which will be released in theaters on November 8. It is also ahead of the West End musical debuting next year and follows the opening of the Paddington Bear Experience at London’s County Hall this past summer.
StudioCanal executive Françoise Guyonnet broke the news during the Brand Licensing Europe convention in London: “We are working on a new TV series and a new movie to come in 2027, 2028.” According to The Hollywood Reporter, Guyonnet said, “This year has been really focused around content, experiential and digital strategy”—terms that would likely sound foreign to Michael Bond, the original author who introduced the world to Paddington in his 1956 book A Bear Called Paddington.
In fact, the film will coincide with the book’s 70 years of publication with an interesting twist-the legacy of the bear from darkest Peru to continue thriving through generations.
The first film on Paddington, that was released in 2014, was a huge box office hit. With a production budget of £50 million, the film grossed over £210 million worldwide. It is indeed not difficult to see the great charm that translates well on the big screen.
The third installment of this series, Paddington in Peru, has Paddington returning to his homeland to visit his beloved Aunt Lucy. The voice of Ben Whishaw will once again be heard for the title character as Imelda Staunton will voice Aunt Lucy. Adding their names to the impressive list of the film’s cast are Hugh Bonneville, Emily Mortimer, Julie Walters, and Jim Broadbent. Antonio Banderas joins as Hunter Cabot, while Olivia Colman takes on The Reverend Mother.
The Paddington brand is now spreading across into film franchises. For example, luxury fragrance brand Jo Malone offered a very limited edition marmalade-scented cologne inspired by Paddington’s love of marmalade sandwiches. Another Roblox game about Paddington will come out in November, giving younger audiences a touch-and-feel experience with the character.
Guyonnet has underscored his objective of transforming Paddington into a “heritage brand into a global phenomenon,” ensuring that the bear continues to evolve from a classic children’s character into a cultural icon worldwide.
StudioCanal has been a defining player in the renewed interest for the modern version of Paddington, acquiring rights to the intellectual property except publishing in 2016 for an undisclosed amount. They have promised to grow his visibility across all platforms, be it films, immersive experiences, or simply to make him more available and relevant to newer audiences.
Thus, for instance, the new media expansion or the upcoming TV series are a testament to the perpetuity of Paddington. While details about the show remain top-secret, his warm appeal and soft humor that have defined him for decades will definitely be palpable.
With the ever-growing Paddington brand, adventures further push the bear into new heavens, thereby extending love to both long-time fans and younger generations. With other brand partnerships such as a feature film and TV series, it makes one believe Paddington will certainly thrive into greater things while his stories are told in years to come.
