Ben Whishaw has acknowledged, in a piece of news that is highly disturbing, that he does not know if Paddington 3 is still ‘happening’ at this point.
The production of the threequel has been delayed for quite some time, despite the fact that it was officially reported in 2021 that it will begin filming in the second quarter of 2022.
It would be a continuation of the exploits of the well-known bear Paddington, who was conceived by author Michael Bond and is most well-known for his affection of marmalade sandwiches and for being able to be found at the London train station.
Paddington 2, which was released in 2017, was the one that truly took the world by storm. It went on to become (for a cruelly short time) the highest-rated film on Rotten Tomatoes with a perfect score after Citizen Kane was dethroned. The first film, which was released in 2014, was a hit. Paddington 2 was released in 2017.
Since then, Paddington has triumphantly appeared alongside the late Queen in a sketch to honour her Platinum Jubilee in June of last year. This performance helped Paddington win back the affections of the British public, which he had previously lost.
It was claimed throughout the summer that the picture, which was supposedly going to be named Paddington in Peru, would now be scheduled to begin main filming in the year 2023, and that the production crew would be shooting on location in both London and Peru.
However, the actor who provides the voice of the titular bear has stated that he has not even read a screenplay yet, and that the production is now in a “silent” state – oh no.
‘I haven’t read this script and I don’t even know when we’re due to shoot it. I don’t know. I thought it would be happening by now, but I don’t know. It’s gone silent in the way that sometimes these things do,’ he revealed to Collider during the recent Sundance Film Festival.
‘Maybe that just means they’re still working on it, or maybe it means it’s not happening, or you just don’t know.’
I’m crossing my fingers that it’s the first choice!
In June, it was announced that filmmaker Dougal Wilson was replacing Paul King, who directed both Paddington films, at the helm of Paddington in Peru.
He told The Hollywood Reporter: ‘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 focused on making a third film that honours the love so many people have for this very special bear.’
King was to remain on board with the project as an executive producer, having also written the story alongside Paddington collaborators Simon Farnaby and Mark Burton.
Burton collaborated on the writing of the script with Jon Foster and James Lamont.
King added: ‘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.’
Ben provided the voice of the bear in the first two movies, which saw him sharing adventures with the Brown family, led by actors Hugh Bonneville and Sally Hawkins. The plot and cast of the upcoming film are still a closely guarded secret, but Ben provided the voice of the bear in both of those movies.