Paddingtonhas come a long way from the CG-animated bear’s first creepy reveal in a sinister-looking slicker back in 2014. The original film and its sequel both have overwhelmingly positive reviews from critics and audiences alike, and the box office has been kind to the StudioCanal films to the tune of nearly half-a-billion bucks. Now, before we get to seePaddington 3(without franchise directorPaul King, who’s off to direct Warner Bros.' take onWilly Wonkafrom a script bySimon Rich), it seems as if the lovable bear will be back in animated form on the small screen.
According toEmpire, aPaddingtonTV series is in the works, withDavid Heyman’s Heyday Films and StudioCanal producing. Franchise starBen Whishaw, who replacedColin Firthyears ago, will reprise his voice role as the marmalade-loving bear. Each episode of the series will center on Paddington, of course, who writes a letter to Aunt Lucy in order to keep her updated on his latest Windsor Gardens adventure.THRhad a few more details, like the fact thatPaddington, the show’s working title, will be a CG-animated series aimed at a pre-school audience and will air on Nickelodeon. Directed byAdam Shawof Blue-Zoo Productions and developed for television and written byJon FosterandJames Lamont(The Amazing World of Gumball,Cuckoo,Paddington 1 & 2), keep an eye out for the series in 2020.
Here’s what Heyman had to say about the project:
“It is a joy to bring this uniquely life-enhancing bear to a whole new audience of younger children. We are thrilled that the inimitably brilliant Ben Whishaw will continue to voice Paddington.”
Oh, and that bit aboutPaddington 3we mentioned? The threequel is still in development. At last report,Simon FarnabyandMark Burtonwere working on the screenplay, adapted from a story by King. All that’s left now is to find a filmmaker who can take over for the director and keep the magic ofPaddingtonalive and well.
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