Variety has broken the news that Rachel Zegler (Shazam! Fury of the Gods), Antonio Banderas (Puss in Boots: The Last Wish), Olivia Colman (Secret Invasion), and Emily Mortimer (Scream 3) are all in talks to join the cast of Paddington 3 aka Paddington in Peru.
Colman is set to play a character who runs a Home for Retired Bears, the same home where Aunt Lucy will be seen living in. Sally Hawkins’ Mrs Brown will now be portrayed by Mortimer.
See below for what Hawkins had to say in regard to leaving her role as Mrs. Brown who she portrayed in both Paddington and Paddington 2.
“For me it has felt the right time to hand the reins over to another, and one can’t get much better than the truly wonderful Emily Mortimer, she is extraordinarily special. She will embody the essence of Mary Brown and yet make it utterly her own.
However, I am, and will always be in love with Paddington’s world. I already greatly miss my on and off-screen family – the experience of making the first two films has truly been some of the best and most creative times I have had in the world of film. They both gave me so much joy. I will forever hold them so very close to my heart indeed.”
Sally Hawkins on leaving the Paddington franchise
Related: Florence Pugh Confirms She Would “Love” To Be In ‘Paddington 3’
It was unclear earlier this year if the third movie would be getting things started. However, filming is now set to begin next month in July in locations throughout the United Kingdom, Peru, and Columbia.
Hugh Bonneville returns as Henry Brown with Julie Walters as Mrs Bird, Jim Broadbent as Mr Gruber who joined the franchise in Paddington 2, Madeline Harris as Judy Brown, and Samuel Joslin as Jonathan Brown.
Ben Whishaw will also be returning to serve as the voice of the iconic titular speaking bear with Imelda Staunton returning as Aunt Lucy.
What Is Paddington 3 About? What We Know So Far
The plot of Paddington 3 is described as a story that will follow Paddington returning to his original home of Peru so that he can visit his beloved Aunt Lucy, who now lives in a Home for Retired Bears.
The Brown Family embark with Paddington on this journey through the Amazon rainforest to the peaks of the Peruvian mountains.
Additional plot and character details are currently being kept under wraps. It’s currently unclear as to who will be portraying the movie’s main antagonist if there is one that is.
Directing is Dougal Wilson with Paddington in Peru aka Paddington 3 marking his first full feature movie project.
Paddington in Peru (Paddington 3) is expected to release sometime in 2024.
